06/07/2007 10:42
West Ham United will be staging five separate trials for our Pre-Academy
Development centres soon.
These trials are open to children of school age: reception, year one and
year two, and will be taking place at four different venues in the Essex and
East London area.
The format of the trials will be fun, small-sided games. Goalkeepers are
also welcome, but places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.
To view the venues of the trials, simply download the PDF form on the right.
If you wish to book a place on one of the trials, print out the form and
complete all required details before sending to:
Bryan Glover, Academy Development Centres, West Ham United Training Ground,
Saville Road, Chadwell Heath, Essex, RM6 6DT.
Successful applicants will then be sent a confirmation form, detailing your
son's trial date and time.
It is recommended that you make the Academy staff aware of any medical
conditions your son may have. (Please ensure that any children suffering
with Asthma bring their inhalers.)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tevez move faces League scrutiny - BBC Sport
Carlos Tevez is keen on a "dream" move to Manchester United - although any
deal will come under heavy Premier League scrutiny before going through.
The League insists the transfer must be "done directly" with West Ham rather
than his agent Kia Joorabchian.
Tevez, 23, was involved in a saga that led to West Ham being fined £5m for
breaching transfer rules, although they crucially escaped a points
deduction.
But he said: "For me, Manchester United will be a sensational destination."
Tevez is still under contract to West Ham for three years, but the League
wants to ensure Joorabchian is not paid any of the fee after previous
questions over the Argentine forward's "ownership".
West Ham insisted they cut all ties with Joorabchian after they were fined
in April.
One possible avenue would be for West Ham to be paid a transfer fee and then
agree a compensation figure with Joorabchian for breaching contracts with
his company, Media Sports Investments (MSI), when the Hammers terminated
third-party agreements following their fine.
It is understood though the League would want a substantial chunk of the
transfer fee to remain at West Ham rather than it all be handed over to MSI
in compensation, otherwise they could be accused of merely covering up the
third-party agreements that have caused so much controversy.
West Ham have been speaking to Manchester United about a transfer, and the
former Boca Juniors and Corinthians player is excited at the prospect.
He said: "I am a player who thrives on challenges. I went to England to
triumph in the Premiership and with West Ham I have achieved that first
stage.
"Now I'm ready to move on to the next stage. To be a member of Sir Alex
Ferguson's squad will be absolutely spectacular.
"My dream is to be an idol in English football and I can achieve this now."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham close in on Bellamy deal - BBC Sport
By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer
West Ham have moved closer to signing Liverpool's Craig Bellamy after
holding talks with the Wales striker.
BBC Sport understands Bellamy met West Ham officials on Thursday and will
agree a £70,000-a-week contract.
Liverpool and West Ham will now hold fresh negotiations about a fee after an
initial £7m bid was turned down.
Bellamy, 28, is rated at £8m, and a swap with West Ham's Yossi Benayoun has
stalled over Liverpool's valuation of the Israel midfield star.
West Ham would be happy to do a straight exchange between the two players,
but Liverpool believe Benayoun is only rated at around £3.5m.
Bellamy has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield following boss Rafael
Benitez's summer signings of Fernando Torres and Andriy Voronin.
He would help to plug any gap at Upton Park left by the possible departure
of Argentine international Carlos Tevez to Manchester United.
The Wales captain joined Liverpool from Blackburn for £6m in June 2006.
After starting his career with Norwich City, he has also had stints with
Coventry City, Newcastle United, plus a loan spell at Celtic.
Bellamy scored nine goals in 42 appearances for the Reds.
But the addition of £20m signing Torres this week means Liverpool have five
senior strikers on their books - with Bellamy, Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt and
fellow new-boy Voronin making up the total.
Asked, at the unveiling of Torres, if he was happy the player was at the
club and part of his plans, Benitez said: "Are you talking about Torres?"
Told Bellamy was the subject, he said: "I'm really happy with Torres here."
He added: "We have some clubs asking about Bellamy and it's a possibility.
"He knows my idea. He is our player at the moment and we will see what
happens in the future.
"It is clear we have new players here and then it could be more difficult
for some of the players.
"The only thing I can say is that Crouch will be staying with us. I have
said to Crouch that he must fight for his position and he will stay with
us."
Striker Djibril Cisse is already close to the exit door as he is set to be
sold to Marseille after a spell on loan at the French club.
Benitez played down a move for Manchester United left-back Gabriel Heinze
and instead insisted he was trying to sign new wingers.
The Reds boss believes he needs to add to the signing of Torres to help his
side challenge for the Premier League title.
"It is clear we need to improve to be contenders. You will ask if we can
fight for the title with Torres. I think we need something more," he stated.
"It is clear we will improve with Fernando but if we can find other players
good enough I think we will have better balance.
"When you talk about the Premier League you talk about nine months and you
need a big squad.
"We have some names. We are especially looking for wingers."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hung out to dry? - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 5th July 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Nigel Reo-Coker has fired a parting shot at his former club by claiming he
had been 'hung out to dry'.
Aston Villa's new £8.5m signing told SkySports tonight that he felt he had
been made a scapegoat for United's dreadful form last season adding that
'whether people want to say I'm being obnoxious, arrogant or just bitter
that's my own personal belief.'
"I'm the sort of person who looks forward rather than backwards," he said.
"A lot of things went on at West Ham that I could spend hours talking about.
"It was an experience which has hardened me but I don't think it was an
experience anyone should be forced to go through, like I was, at the age of
22. But it has made me a stronger character and I will now channel that in
the right way."
Reo-Coker first fell foul of United supporters last Autumn after a dismal
early season run of form which followed a frustrating pre-season in which he
had barely trained due to injury.
His decision to answer the critics by cupping his ear - a brazen display of
arrogance, some would argue - towards supporters in the Bobby Moore Stand
after scoring the winning goal against Manchester United (his only goal last
season) drew further disapproval.
But his position at the club only began to become untenable once his agent,
Tony Finnigan, claimed that he had been receiving hate mail via the club's
training ground at Chadwell Heath - an accusation, made without any
evidence, that was swiftly followed by claims - again from Finnigan - that
his client had been the victim of racist abuse from United fans - an
allegation that once again proved to be unfounded.
By that stage it was quite clear that the odious Finnigan was attempting to
engineer a move on behalf of Reo-Coker, and many supporters were outraged at
his behaviour - even more so because he was, at the time, club captain.
But having failed to lure Reo-Coker's preferred choice, Arsenal, into making
a solid bid during the January transfer window Reo-Coker announced - once
again through Finnigan - that he would stay in East London until the end of
the season. Which, given that at the time he was still contracted to the
club for a further two years, brought further condemnation.
When Alan Curbishley decided to ring the changes following United's narrow
escape from relegation Reo-Coker's days were firmly numbered; his
considerable part in the problems of the previous season had been duly
noted. Shortly after the Hammers' Premier League status was preserved he was
told that he would not be considered for a new contract - and that he had no
future at the club. A transfer request swiftly followed.
Once it was clear that none of the 'big four' were interested in signing him
Finnigan took to the somewhat desperate act of pleading with clubs to come
forward (notably the press release aimed at incoming Newcastle boss Sam
Allardyce), but only one - Aston Villa - showed any real interest - and it
was for them that Reo-Coker signed earlier today.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reo-Coker gone - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 5th July 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Nigel Reo-Coker has joined Aston Villa in an £8.5m switch, it was confirmed
tonight.
Former club captain Reo-Coker - who was unveiled as Villa's first signing of
the summer at a press conference this evening - told the assembled media
pack that he was looking forward to beginning a 'new chapter' in his career,
having agreed personal terms with his new club last night.
"I don't build myself up to be something I'm not. All I want to do is be
successful," he said.
"I enjoyed every minute of my time at West Ham but this is a new beginning
for me. I'm hoping there will be a lot of success here."
Villa had been given a free run to sign Reo-Coker, much to the dismay of the
England under-21 captain who had yearned for a move to one of the Premier
League's 'big four'.
The huge fee - the third highest ever received by the Hammers - represents
something of a coup for the club given that Villa had no serious competition
for his services, and that he had previously made clear his desire to leave
by handing in a transfer request.
Reo-Coker's favoured destination had been Arsenal, but their interest waned
after he fell foul of United supporters following a string of incidents both
on and off the pitch.
The nearest the midfielder will get to the Emirates now is Villa's training
complex at Bodymoor Heath, which he described tonight as 'quite similar to
Arsenal's training ground, which I remember from my youth team days.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Blades launch High Court appeal - Sky Sports
By Peter ORourke - Created on 5 Jul 2007
Sheffield United have confirmed they will appeal to the High Court over the
Carlos Tevez affair after failing in their last bid to get reinstated to the
Premier League.
The Blades saw their fight to be reinstated into the Premier League ended
earlier this week after an arbitration panel upheld the verdict not to dock
West Ham any points over the controversial signings of Tevez and Javier
Mascherano.
United have now accepted they will be playing in the Championship next
season, but they are looking for substantial compensation and will go to the
High Court later this month to plead their case.
Bramall Lane chairman Kevin McCabe confirmed the club are going to the High
Court on July 13th to launch their appeal.
"I believe the commercial courts, as we call them, will look at the
ingredients of this case more differently than the independent commission of
the arbitration panel," McCabe told Sky Sports News.
"Yes I suspect it cannot be with a view to reinstatement I think that is
overcome now.
"It is very much now a case against the Premier League rather than before it
was the Premier League and West Ham.
"So if we are able to get leave to take this to the High Court I suspect we
will."
McCabe believes United have a good case for substantial compensation as they
are set to miss out on the windfall of playing in the Premier League.
"I think anyone who looks at it and says one club has been wronged - ie
Sheffield United - the only recourse open now to make that wrong right is
financial," added McCabe.
"If you say the play-off game is worth £60million if you recognise Sheffield
United's average crowd last season was around 31,000 with full boxes, full
restaurants every week, the broadcasting income I suspect you are saying
around £50million.
"We do get a sum of money as parachute payments."
McCabe says the club are now planning for life in the Championship and
mounting a serious bid challenge for promotion.
"Common sense overtakes integrity I am afraid, so we are now working as a
Championship team with Bryan Robson getting his squad sorted out for a real
challenge come next season," concluded McCabe.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
League may block Tevez move - Sky Sports
By Peter ORourke - Created on 5 Jul 2007
The Premier League will block Carlos Tevez's proposed move to Manchester
United if they are not satisfied the transfer fee will go to West Ham.
Widespread reports on Thursday suggested United are leading the chase to
sign the Argentine star and that talks over a move to Old Trafford are well
underway.
Tevez is considering his future, with West Ham United hoping to hang on to
the Argentine after his influential end to last season.
He has suggested he is looking to join a big club over the summer, but any
move to Manchester United could be blocked by the Premier League.
West Ham claim they own the registration of Tevez after the league accepted
in April that the club had terminated all agreements with the player's agent
Kia Joorabchian.
The Premier League are planning to keep an eye on any transfer for Tevez to
ensure that West Ham keep their promise of owning his registration.
A Premier League spokesman said: "As far as we are concerned any deal to
take Carlos Tevez away from West Ham has to be done directly with the club."
Tevez, who is currently away on international duty at the Copa America, has
been linked with a number of clubs including United, Real Madrid and
Internazionale.
The classy forward says he has received no offers for his services as yet,
but that he was flattered by the interest from some of the top clubs in
Europe in him.
"As far as I am aware, I have not received any official offers," Tevez told
Argentine newspaper Clarin.
"Once an offer arrives then we will see. But the fact that Real Madrid,
Internazionale and Manchester United are interested in me makes me proud."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reo-Coker aims swipe at Hammers - Sky Sports
By Peter ORourke - Created on 5 Jul 2007
Nigel Reo-Coker has aimed a parting shot at West Ham after completing his
move to Aston Villa.
The midfielder was unveiled as a Villa player on Thursday after signing a
four-year deal at Villa Park.
Reo-Coker was keen to secure a move from West Ham after falling out with the
club.
The England Under 21 captain handed in a transfer request in May after not
being assurances over his future and he is not happy at how he was treated
at Upton Park.
Reo-Coker claimed he felt unwanted at West Ham since last January and he
admits he was glad to secure his move away from the club.
When asked if he felt he had been made a scapegoat at West Ham, Reo-Coker
said: "If I am being honest yes I do believe that.
"Whether people want to say I'm being obnoxious or arrogant or just being
bitter that's my own personal belief.
"I feel I was hung out to dry." "This is a fresh start for me, a new
beginning and I do not want to dwell on the past.
"I'm the sort of person who looks forward rather than backwards and I could
spend hours talking about what went on at West Ham.
"A lot of things went on at West Ham, a lot of things. It was an experience
which has hardened me but I don't think it was an experience anyone should
be forced to go through, like I was, at the age of 22.
"But it has made me a stronger character and I will now channel that in the
right way."
Reo-Coker also revealed that the influence of Martin O'Neill played a big
part in his decision to join Villa.
"I wanted to play for Martin O'Neill," continued Reo-Coker.
"His record speaks for itself - and as soon as I found out about his
interest, this was the club I wanted to come to.
"I wish it could have been done quicker - but that is football."
O'Neill was delighted to finally land Reo-Coker as his first signing of the
summer
"I am absolutely delighted he is here and I think he is worth waiting
for,"said O'Neill.
"We are very pleased. He is a terrific age and is young and vibrant and
raring to go, and I think he is an exceptional player who will be excellent
for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tevez eager for United switch - Sky Sports
By Graeme Bailey - Created on 6 Jul 2007
Carlos Tevez has welcomed the news that he is set to be transferred to
Manchester United.
The Red Devils are set to tie up a deal for the 23-year-old, who is
currently in Venezuela competing in the Copa America with Argentina.
The Premier League have already warned United that any deal for Tevez must
include West Ham, rather than the player's agent Kia Joorabchian - but it
would seem a deal is very close.
Tevez, linked with most of Europe's biggest clubs including Real Madrid and
Internazionale, has welcomed the news that he is set to sign for United.
"For me, Manchester United will be a sensational destination and to be a
member of Sir Alex Ferguson's squad will be absolutely spectacular," Tevez
is quoted in the Daily Mail.
"My dream is to be an idol in English football and I can achieve this now.
"I am a player who thrives on challenges. I went to England to triumph in
the Premiership and with West Ham I have achieved that first stage.
"Now I'm ready to move on to the next stage."
Should, as expected, United seal Tevez's signing, then he will become their
fourth signing of the summer following Nani, Anderson and Owen Hargreaves
into Old Trafford.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tevez leaves the web even more tangled - The Daily Telegraph
By David Bond
Last Updated: 3:19am BST 06/07/2007
Whether Manchester United's move for Carlos Tevez is settled in the
boardroom or the court room, the Argentina international has again exposed
an alarming malaise at the heart of world football.
From the moment West Ham signed the marauding striker nicknamed "El Apache"
in a spectacular deadline-day deal last August, he has caused nothing but
headaches for the Premier League's chief executive, Richard Scudamore.
To his and the League's credit, they have tried to stand firm on the
imported phenomenon of third-party ownership which allowed West Ham to sign
the player in the first place and has been causing a storm since.
But this is an issue that goes beyond the boundaries of English football.
With the vast majority of top players in Argentina and Brazil owned by
agents and third parties, this is a problem which can only be dealt with
effectively by the game's world governing body, Fifa.
advertisement
In the absence of any hard and fast rules, uncertainty reigns. And it is
this uncertainty which has led to the sorry mess which English football and
the Premier League must attempt to clear up.
Disentangling a transfer which two separate inquiries found to be worthy of
a points deduction for West Ham will be anything but straightforward. But
with Manchester United agreeing a deal with Tevez's third party owners, the
end game is at last in sight.
For the transfer to go through, the Premier League made it clear last night
that any fee must be paid to West Ham. That is because they hold Tevez's
registration, having ripped up third-party agreements with the player's
agent and part owner Kia Joorabchian on April 27.
West Ham took that drastic step after an independent commission fined them
£5.5 million for breaking the Premier League's rules on third-party
ownership.
The club were told that they had to drop the player, amend the third-party
agreements to the League's satisfaction or terminate them. Failure to do so
would have prevented them from using Tevez in their last three games of the
season.
Choosing the latter allowed Tevez to play a key role in West Ham's
Premiership survival but sparked a storm which is still raging more than two
months later.
Sheffield United, who were relegated on the last day of the season, have
been fighting for a new inquiry to be held into the controversy. They have
argued that no contract can be simply torn up, meaning the offending
third-party agreements which led to West Ham's fine are still in place.
This week an arbitration panel agreed with them and argued that West Ham
should have been deducted points over the scandal, but eventually dismissed
their call for a new commission to be set up arguing that they did not have
the remit to make that decision.
Now Sheffield United have been given a date for a High Court hearing, when
they will argue they should be granted leave to appeal against that
arbitration verdict on the grounds that the panel made an error in law.
"We are going to the High Court to appeal, and that date is July 13," said
chairman Kevin McCabe. "I still believe Sheffield United have a legal case
that can now be taken from what I loosely term the sporting courts to the
commercial courts. Where that will take us I really don't know."
There can be little doubt that Sheffield United's case will be boosted by
the agreement now in place in principle between Tevez's owners and
Manchester United.
What more proof does anyone need that Kia Joorabchian and the two companies
registered in the British Virgin Islands which own Tevez's economic rights
control the player's destiny?
United will be confident that they can force a deal through with West Ham
and the League. They will point to the agreement Liverpool reached with
Joorabchian and the League to secure the services of Javier Mascherano in
January.
But so much has happened since then. For a start, we have had two separate
hearings into the case which have clearly established that West Ham, and not
Joorabchian, have a three-year playing contract with the player and hold his
registration.
advertisement
In the eyes of the League, only one organisation can agree to release him
from those obligations: West Ham.
However, if only this story were that simple. The Tevez side will say West
Ham's rights to the player lapsed the moment they ripped up those side
agreements.
West Ham have been waiting for a legal challenge from Joorabchian over that
decision to unilaterally terminate the third-party deals but he has not
acted.
Faced with the prospect of losing a player they want to keep, West Ham could
sue Joorabchian for trying to move Tevez to another club when the original
disciplinary commission acknowledged their argument that the third-party
agreements were unenforceable. But they also acknowledge that keeping a
player who wants to leave is a tall order, regardless of the contractual
situation.
Unsatisfactory as it might sound, doing a deal which satisfies Tevez, United
and the League may be the only way to draw a line under an affair which has
brought the game's inadequate and outdated rule book sharply into focus.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons set to seal £9m Bellamy deal - TeamTalk
West Ham have reportedly agreed a £9million deal for Liverpool striker Craig
Bellamy, who is set to sign a four-year contract at Upton Park.
Bellamy has slipped down the Anfield pecking order following the arrival of
Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid and has been linked with a host of
Premier League clubs, as well as Italian sides Juventus and Roma.
However, the Daily Mirror claims Bellamy has agreed to join the Hammers
after being offered a £70,000-a-week, four-year deal.
The Wales hitman moved to Liverpool from Blackburn in a £6.5million deal
last summer and scored seven goals, the last of which came against Barcelona
in the Nou Camp.
However, it became clear Bellamy did not feature in Rafael Benitez's
long-term plans when he was an unused substitute in the Champions League
final loss to AC Milan.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Premier League Rumour Mill: Hammers snap up Bellamy in £25m deal
06.07.07
West Ham have offered Liverpool bad boy Craig Bellamy an astonishing
£4million-a-year contract to move to Upton Park.
Chairman Eggert Magnusson has moved quickly to find a replacement for Carlos
Tevez, who appears destined for Manchester United.
But the Hammers will aim to recoup some of the £9m and £80,000-a-week
wages - a total outlay of £25m over four years - by playing hardball over
the Argentine's transfer to Old Trafford.
Magnusson has been assured by the Premier League that West Ham are due part
of the fee that the champions will pay for Tevez.
Sir Alex Ferguson looks set to take the striker on a two-year loan deal
costing £10m before having the option to buy the player for a further
£10-15m.
Kia Joorabchian, who claims to still part-own Tevez despite assurances to
the Premier League that his third-party agreement with the Hammers had been
cancelled, will earn as much as £6m from the deal.
"At the moment, no agreement on the transfer of Carlos Tevez has been
agreed," a West Ham spokesman said.
It seems inevitable, though, that the player will end up at Old Trafford by
the end of next week after he admitted it was a move he had dreamed about.
"For me, Manchester United will be a sensational destination and to be a
member of Sir Alex Ferguson's squad will be absolutely spectacular," he
said.
"My dream is to be an idol in English football and I can achieve this now."
But West Ham will be heartened by the attitude of the Premier League, who
fined the club £5.5m last season for breaching transfer regulations.
"As far as we are concerned any deal to take Carlos Tevez away from West Ham
has to be done directly with the club," insisted Premier League spokesman
Dan Johnson.
Tevez starred again for his country last night as Javier Mascherano scored
the crucial goal 12 minutes from the end to help Argentina book a
quarter-final Copa America clash with Peru courtesy of a 1-0 victory over
Paraguay.
Mascherano's Liverpool team-mate Bellamy missed the start of pre-season
training yesterday after being told by manager Rafael Benitez that he no
longer figured in his plans.
Two of his former clubs - Newcastle, Blackburn - along with Aston Villa,
were all thought to be in the hunt for the Welsh captain, but the Hammers'
amazing offer has trumped them all.
Bellamy has the pace to frighten any defence in Europe and one of his best
displays came in the 2-1 away win in Barcelona last season when the striker
and John Arne Riise scored.
However, his nasty side came out before that Champions League match when he
swung a golf club at Riise during an argument at a karaoke night.
The Daily Star also claims West Ham striker Bobby Zamora will not leave
Upton Park after all but will instead sign a new £56,000-a-week deal.
The 26-year-old former Tottenham striker only signed his current
£28,000-a-week deal a year ago but his 11 goals last season have convinced
manager Alan Curbishley to keep him on.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Leicester to sign winger Newton - BBC Sport
Leicester are set to sign former West Ham winger Shaun Newton on Friday,
reports BBC Radio Leicester.
The 31 year-old spent two months on loan at the Walkers Stadium and has
agreed a one year contract after being released at Upton Park.
Newton started his career at Charlton before joining Wolves in 2001 for
£850,000 and staying there until 2005 before signing for West Ham.
He will become Martin Allen's 10th signing of the summer.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Town chief blasts Wright - football.co.uk
Friday Jul 06 2007 11:58
Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks has slammed goalkeeper Richard Wright for
deciding against rejoining Town to head to West Ham United.
The 29-year-old is likely to be back-up to Robert Green at Upton Park,
having shunned the chance to head home to Portman Road, where he started his
career, following his release by Everton.
Sheepshanks told the Evening Star: "We are disappointed Richard chose not to
join us, but recognise that extra money for sitting on the bench at Upton
Park must be more appealing than the opportunity to feature regularly for
your home town team.
"There has been a consideration to bring in a senior goalkeeper, but we are
very fortunate to have two of the brightest young keepers in the country on
our staff already."
Meanwhile, the Town supremo has also confirmed that his club are still in
talks with Blackburn Rovers about striker Francis Jeffers.
He added: "We are determined to get a deal done and supporters should know
that we are still trying.
"We are still in discussions with Blackburn Rovers as we want to buy Francis
Jeffers, but negotiations are proving to be protracted."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham tell Liverpool: Pay £8m for Yossi Benayoun - Liverpool Echo
Jul 6 2007 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
WEST HAM have slapped a staggering £8m valuation on Yossi Benayoun's head,
in a bid to snatch Craig Bellamy from Anfield on the cheap.
Liverpool gave permission for the Welsh international striker to speak to
The Hammers last night and he quickly agreed a remarkable £70,000 a week
contract.
But after the Reds rejected an initial cash bid of £7m, the Hammers tried to
offer a straight swap deal for their Israeli international skipper.
With Liverpool holding out for £8m for Bellamy, the cheeky Hammers instantly
valued Benayoun at that figure and suggested an exchange.
But Liverpool only value Benayoun at around half that price.
Further talks will take place today - and Djibril Cisse's name may now come
into the equation as well.
The Hammers want to add the Frenchman to their squad with Bellamy.
Liverpool want a fee in the region of £9m for a player who cost an Anfield
club record of £14m when he arrived from Auxerre three years ago.
Marseille are also bidding to make Cisse's loan spell in France permanent,
while Portsmouth have also made an enquiry.
Bellamy did not report back to Melwood yesterday with the rest of Liverpool's
international contingent.
But unless West Ham can reach agreement quickly he may have to return to
training with a squad he is clearly surplus to.
The Reds kick off their pre-season schedule at Wrexham tomorrow (kick-off
3pm), and while players like Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher are unlikely
to figure, Rafa Benitez will take a mix of senior stars and youngsters to
the Racecourse.
The only players not now back in training at Melwood are Harry Kewell, Mark
Gonzalez, Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua, who remain on international
duty for their respective countries, while Fernando Torres will not report
for training until July 11.
Benitez said yesterday: "All of the internationals will start training
today. We will see how they are, but normally you could expect them to play
next week against Crewe.
"We only had five senior players back last week. We've had the young
players, and you can see the commitment in them.
"Sometimes you have to tell them to calm down because they tackle hard and
fight for each ball."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment