By James Pearson - Created on 17 Jul 2007
Sir Alex Ferguson remains hopeful Carlos Tevez will secure his summer move to Manchester United. The Red Devils have been locked in talks for the Argentine star with Tevez set to undergo an Old Trafford medical later this week. The deal has dragged on due to Tevez's contractual situation with United growing increasingly frustrated at the complexity of the transfer. However, speaking after United's 2-2 draw with Urawa Red Diamonds, the Ferguson remains hopeful Tevez will begin the new season a Red. "I hope Carlos Tevez arrives....things are bowling along," Ferguson told MUTV. Second-half goals from Darren Fletcher and Cristiano Ronaldo turned around a one-goal deficit and Ferguson was not too down about drawing their Far East opener. "We tired a bit in the second half," he added. "Understandable really with the long journey yesterday - 14, 15 hours travel and they found it difficult to sleep on the first night. "They've applied themselves very well I think, and played some good football at times. We managed to give a few of them a good run-out tonight so we're happy with that."
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Villa seal Harewood deal - Sky
By Peter ORourke - Created on 17 Jul 2007
Aston Villa have clinched the signing of Marlon Harewood from West Ham. As revealed by skysports.com earlier this week Villa agreed a fee with West Ham for the striker. Villa made their move for Harewood after he held talks and underwent a medical at Wigan last weekend. After weighing up both offers, Harewood has opted to join Villa and he has signed a three-year deal at Villa Park. Harewood is Villa boss Martin O'Neill's second signing of the summer following the arrival of former West Ham team-mate Nigel Reo-Coker.
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Domenech Hammers Faubert - Sky
By Peter ORourke - Created on 17 Jul 2007
France coach Raymond Domenech has blasted Julien Faubert's move to West Ham. Faubert left Bordeaux for West Ham earlier this month after The Hammers beat Rangers to the midfielder's signature. Domenech has expressed his disappointment at Faubert's decision to move to Upton Park, hinting the 23-year-old has damaged his international ambitions by switching to Alan Curbishley's side. Faubert has made one appearance for France, but Domenech believes he could struggle to add to his tally after opting to join West Ham. "I can't understand Faubert's decision. When my players phone me to tell me they are moving clubs, I tell them it is okay if they are joining one of the top four in England, Germany, Italy or Spain," Domenech is quoted as saying in The Sun. "But it is unspeakably stupid to join a club outside of those few, apart from the financial point of view. "It is a great pity when you are on the brink of the French national team. "I struggle to understand why he has done it."
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Tevez wants quick solution -Sky
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 17 Jul 2007
Carlos Tevez has called for a quick resolution to his proposed transfer to Manchester United. The Premier League champions have confirmed talks are ongoing in an effort to sign Tevez from West Ham United. The Argentinian is due to undergo a medical at Old Trafford later this week and United hope to wrap up a deal for the striker within the next seven days. But Tevez's contractual situation remains a stumbling block, regarding who will be entitled to any transfer fee.
Tevez's representative Kia Joorabchian owns the player's economic rights, but the Premier League believe West Ham should be entitled to the bulk of any payment. With the matter dragging on, the former Corinthians ace has added his voice to the desire for a speedy resolution. "I want a solution very quickly on this subject," Tevez is quoted in the Daily Mirror. "My desire is to play for Manchester United, but I also want a positive exit from West Ham because the club was good to me in the year when I played in England. "I find the controversy about my transfer very strange, but I hope it will be resolved in the next few days."
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Roque weighs up England move - Sky
By Peter ORourke - Created on 17 Jul 2007
Skysports.com understands Roque Santa Cruz is considering a move to England. The likes of Blackburn, Manchester City and West Ham are all thought to be tracking the Bayern Munich striker. Santa Cruz looks set to leave Bayern after growing increasingly frustrated with his lack of first-team opportunities. The 25-year-old has fallen down the pecking order in Ottmar Hitzfeld's squad and would probably be fourth-choice striker behind Luca Toni, Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski. Santa Cruz has caught the attention of several clubs after impressing in the recent Copa America for Paraguay, including netting a hat-trick in the game against Colombia. The player's agent Jan van Baal confirmed a few English clubs have expressed an interest in Santa Cruz and that the player would be keen on playing in the Premier League. "There has been interest from some clubs in Roque, but nothing concrete," van Baal told skysports.com. "At this stage it looks like he will leave Bayern Munich, but nothing is settled. "His first choice if he moves would be England. "The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world and is a big dream of Roque's to play there."
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Marlon signs up for Villa - West Ham Online
Match Reporter - Tue Jul 17 2007
Marlon Harewood became the latest Alan Pardew signing out of Upton Park door today when he had a sensible change of heart to become Martin O'Neil's second summer signing from the Hammers. The £3.7m rated forward had look like signing for Wigan but opted for the Midland club instead. Harewood was one of the first signings by Pardew, joining from Nottingham Forest in November 2003 for £500,000 and becomes the latest of Pardew's signing to show a decent profit. A success in his first two season the Championship, many wondered if he had the ability to score goals in the Premiership and he proved he did after a sluggish start, he fired in a hatrick against Villa at Upton Park to set him on his way. Pardew's failed striker rotation system last season didn't help Harewood, who is very much a confidence player and he managed to only add 3 more goals to his tally last term.
West Ham United 25/11/2003 – 17/7/2007
League 123 apps 19 sub 47 goals
FA Cup 13 apps 1 sub 5 goals
League Cup 6 apps 3 goals
Uefa Cup 1 app 1 sub
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Harewood happy to join Reo-Coker at Villa - Daily Mail
Last updated at 16:03pm on 17th July 2007
Aston Villa have announced the signing of Marlon Harewood from West Ham. The striker has signed a three-year deal to join former Hammers team-mate Nigel Reo-Coker in the West Midlands. Harewood, 27, has been linked with several clubs since the end of last season and had been expected to join Wigan until Villa closed in on his signature. Villa have not disclosed the fee they have paid the Hammers for Harewood - who had also been linked with local rivals Birmingham recently. Villa boss Martin O'Neill told the club's website, www.avfc.co.uk: "I'm delighted that he's accepted the invitation to come and join us.
"I know there were other teams wanting to take him, but he's prepared to come here and challenge to try and work his way into the first team. "I'm delighted to have him. He's a strong lad, very athletic and if he can recapture the form he showed in the two seasons before last, he will definitely be a big asset."
O'Neill added: "He's coming to join a squad. We've let some players go during the summer and we're now rebuilding the squad again. "Marlon's prepared to come in here and battle for his place and that's what we want at this football club. He's a confident lad who's willing to fight for his place."
Harewood agreed with O'Neill's assessment that he must strive to recapture the form of two seasons ago. "I'm delighted to join Villa and I think I've come at a really exciting time for the club," he told the club's website, www.avfc.co.uk. "The manager is aiming high next season and it's great to be part of his plans. "I want to recapture the form I showed a couple of seasons ago, when West Ham got into the cup final and we did so well in the league. "There's a lot of quality here at Villa. I watched the lads train this morning and I'd forgotten just how much quality there was already here. "My mate Nigel Reo-Coker has already signed and I know all about his qualities, so I'm just really pleased to be on board. "Villa finished last season strongly and I know the aim is to get into Europe this time around. Hopefully I can play my part in that."
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Harewood strengthens Villa strikeforce - Times Online and Agencies
Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of striker Marlon Harewood from West Ham United in a three-year deal. The 27-year-old, who had been linked with Wigan Athletic and Birmingham City, is Martin O'Neill's second summer signing and will join former team-mate Nigel Reo-Coker at Villa Park for an undisclosed fee. "I'm delighted that he's accepted the invitation to come and join us, " O'Neill said. "I know there were other teams wanting to take him, but he's prepared to come here to try and work his way into the first team. I'm delighted to have him. "He's a strong lad, very athletic and, if he can recapture the form he showed in the two seasons before last, he will definitely be a big asset." Harewood joined West Ham from Nottingham Forest in November 2003 and made an instant impression with two goals on his debut against Wigan. He scored 14 times in his first campaign at Upton Park, and was top scorer the following year with 23 goals, helping the club win promotion to the Premiership via the play-offs. He scored 14 goals in the top flight in the 2005/06 season, including a hat-trick against Aston Villa, but suffered a miserable season last year. After the arrival of Alan Curbishley as West Ham manager, Harewood struggled to gain a first-team place and requested a move after his team's dramatic relegation escape, much of which he had watched from the sidelines. O'Neill has warned the striker he will not be an automatic selection at Villa. "He's coming to join a squad. We've let some players go during the summer and we're now rebuilding again," he said. "Marlon's prepared to come in here and battle for his place and that's what we want at this football club. He's a confident lad."
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Aston Villa sign Marlon Harewood - Telegraph
By Patrick Nathanson and agencies
Last Updated: 2:57pm BST 17/07/2007
Aston Villa have signed Marlon Harewood from West Ham. The striker has signed a three-year deal to join former West Ham team-mate Nigel Reo-Coker in the West Midlands. Harewood, 27, has been linked with several clubs since the end of last season and had been expected to join Wigan until Villa closed in on his signature. Villa have not disclosed the fee they have paid for Harewood, who had also been linked with local rivals Birmingham. Villa manager Martin O'Neill said: "I'm delighted that he's accepted the invitation to come and join us. "I know there were other teams wanting to take him, but he's prepared to come here and challenge to try and work his way into the first team. "I'm delighted to have him. He's a strong lad, very athletic and if he can recapture the form he showed in the two seasons before last, he will definitely be a big asset."
O'Neill added: "He's coming to join a squad. We've let some players go during the summer and we're now rebuilding the squad again. "Marlon's prepared to come in here and battle for his place and that's what we want at this football club. He's a confident lad who's willing to fight for his place."
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West Ham Want In On Santa Cruz - Goal.com
Reports suggest that West Ham will challenge Manchester City in a bid to land Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz. Having last week told the German press that he wants away from Bayern Munich, City have been strongly linked with Santa Cruz, with a price of £5million allegedly enough to clinch the deal.. But according to the Daily Mirror, West Ham are ready to match any offer that Bayern receive from City, and will then beat City's wage offer, in an audacious attempt to snatch the striker from underneath the nose of Sven.
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West Ham move for Portsmouth's Lualua
tribalfooball.com - July 17, 2007
West Ham United are eyeing Portsmouth striker Lomana Lualua. Lualua insists he's ready to fight for his place at Pompey following the arrivals of John Utaka and David Nugent, however he could be offered an escape route by West Ham, says The Times.
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West Ham and the stupid signing - footballcommentator.blogspot
"Unrivalled stupidity" is what outspoken French national coach Raymond Domenech's calls Julien Faubert after news that he decided to join West Ham from Bordeaux. "I can't understand Faubert's decision apart from the financial point of view. When certain players call me to talk about me their transfer I tell them it's okay to play for one of the top four clubs in England, Germany, Italy or Spain, but this is stupidity. What a pity when he is on the verge of the French team. I have trouble understanding it." -Domenech
What I have trouble understanding is how the pedigree of the player's club should affect a decision of a coach to play him in the national side. It's a sort of bigotry to say that since you didn't leave for Manchester United and play Champion's League, then you are ruled out. I think it's more stupid for all of these players who join elite clubs with little chance for a starting role and end up with their names carved on a bench and leaving two years later for half of what they signed for and a career to recover. That's stupid. That's what will likely happen to Yossi Benayoun.
Faubert, 23, has made one start for the French national side so far and looks poised to start no more while Domenech is coach, impressed in his first pre-season friendly this weekend. He played 45 minutes of and will play again against Austrian side Sigma today. With both West Ham midfielders sold, the position is wide open.
The Hammers paid 6.1m pounds to Bordeaux for Faubert who originally wanted a move to Rangers and had refused to train at Bordeaux when he was denied the transfer.
Frankly, this is none of Domenech's business. Faubert should be judged on his performances and not whether he earns more money or not, something I am SURE no player cares about.
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West Ham aim to trump Man City for Roque Cruz
tribalfooball.com - July 17, 2007
West Ham United have made a move for Bayern Munich striker Roque Santa Cruz. The Mirror says the Hammers have made an audacious bid to snatch �5 million-rated Santa Cruz away from Sven Goran Eriksson's Manchester City. The Hammers will match any bid and beat City's wage offer as they try to land Cruz who hit a hat-trick in Paraguay's 5-0 Copa America win over Colombia.
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AC Milan plan to stun Man Utd with Tevez bid
tribalfooball.com - July 17, 2007
AC Milan are threatening to wreck Manchester United's negotiations for West Ham striker Carlos Tevez. Gazzetta dello Sport says Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani is moving for the Argie ace as United struggle to find an agreement over a fee for the player. Milan aren't subject to the strict transfer laws of Premiership clubs and can trump United should Tevez indicate he fancies a move to the San Siro.
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Hammers up the bid: £14m for Defoe - Daily Mail
Last updated at 10:22am on 17th July 2007
West Ham have been linked with a fresh £14million offer for Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe. The Hammers are keen to add to their firepower even though they have signed Wales international Craig Bellamy from Liverpool. The East End club have already failed in a £11m bid for their former player but will be armed with a fresh £3.75m from the expected sale of Marlon Harewood this week to Aston Villa. The sticking point is that Defoe is reluctant to return to Upton Park where he has been the target of vociferous abuse from the boo boys since switching to Spurs. The England international has also interested Manchester City, Aston Villa and Portsmouth but has pledged to fight for his place at White Hart Lane. He has been told by former Spurs striker Les Ferdinand to stick by his guns and believe in his ability as Tottenham chase a top four finish and a silverware in cup competitions both at home and abroad. Defoe has two years left on his contract and may wait until the turn of the year to see how Martin Jol's rotation system pans out before deciding whether to begin talks about a new deal or seek regular first-team football elsewhere.
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Blades fans condemn 'gloating' MP - The Sheffield Star ( our old favourite :) )
THE anger among Sheffield United supporters incensed by their the club's treatment at the hands of the FA Premier League shows no sign of abating with an online petition chastising a member of parliament for 'gloating' about Bramall Lane's plight following the Carlos Tevez Affair attracting nearly 600 signatures.
Mike Gapes, MP for Ilford South, has attracted widespread criticism for tabling an early day motion to celebrate the fact that West Ham escaped a points deduction despite being found guilty of a serious breach of transfer regulations when they signed the Argentina striker and his compatriot Javier Mascherano last season.
United argue that by failing to impose such a sanction the FAPL effectively condemned them to relegation and, as a result, the loss of several leading players and around £50m in commercial and television revenues.
Plc chairman Kevin McCabe, who has spearheaded the fight to order a fresh disciplinary investigation into the matter, has vowed to press ahead with his fight despite failing to receive right to appeal in the High Court on Friday.
However, he will be heartened to learn that by last night, 555 football fans had also taken up the cudgels.
The petition, which appears on Downing Street's official website, states: "We are unhappy that Mr Gapes MP has wasted £300 of tax payers money to gloat over that fact that West Ham were not deducted points over the Carlos Tevez affair.
"This despite the abitration panel reinforcing the widely held opinion that West Ham were 'deliberately deceitful' and that Sheffield United had done nothing to warrant being relegated."
Gapes, who was elected to the House of Commons in 1992, appeared to be in celebratory mood when he declared: "That this House welcomes the decision of the Premier League arbitration panel to reject the challenge by Sheffield United and Fulham to the decision to fine West Ham United rather than deduct points; notes their view that this decision was not irrational or perverse; congratulates the players of West Ham United on their magnificent great escape by winning seven of their last nine matches to end the season with 41 points; notes that Sheffield United were relegated because they lost at home to Wigan in their last match and as a result only had 38 points; welcomes the fact that matters of survival and relegation were decided on the field of play and not in the law courts; and wishes West Ham United a successful Premiership season and Sheffield United a successful season in 2007-08."
However, unlike Clive Betts' recent edm questioning the integrity of the FAPL for its handling of the affair attracted 55 signatures, Gapes collected one - West Ham MP Lyn Brown.
To sign the petition, click here: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/BladesUnited/
BWWWWAAAHHHHAHHAHAHHAHAH!
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3 more big signings on the way - all3points.com
17th July 2007
By Dan Halton
The doors at Upton Park keep revolving and with less than a month to the new season West Ham's squad is taking shape. So what is left on Alan Curbishley's shopping list?
Heading it is the need for a central midfielder. Nigel Reo-Coker may have been adequately replaced with the signing of Scott Parker but generally this area needs beefing up. Hayden Mullins is off to Charlton and in his place the team needs an experienced and tougher defensive option. Stephen Appiah is a terrific player in this mould and is reportedly ready to go on strike at Fenerbache to force a transfer to West Ham. The team would have a solid look to it with Parker and Appiah in the middle. Mark Noble and Lee Bowyer are brilliant options to have off the bench to raise the pace in games. And of course there's always Nigel Quashie to call up in case of injuries or suspensions…
Signing a left-back should be another of Curbishley's high priorities. George McCartney did OK last season but I believe the club needs a stronger and more attacking player in this position now that Paul Konchesky has transferred to Fulham. McCartney is a fine back-up option. Media talk suggests Nicky Shorey and Leighton Baines are targets. Shorey would be first-choice but we'll know more after the result of contract negotiations with Reading. Baines could be on his way from Wigan and may form part of a deal involving Marlon Harewood though I suspect after last season's shenanigans chairman Eggert Magnusson would rather invite Terry Brown round for a cuppa than do business with the Latics.
The third area needing an injection of class is up front. The forward line looks a lot stronger with a fit Dean Ashton back in action and, in the unlikely event that Carlos Tevez returns for pre-season, the livewire Craig Bellamy will line up alongside the target man. Bobby Zamora is ideal for coming off the bench and chipping in with goals. The links to Eidur Gudjohnsen fail to die down and if he is to join it will surely be at the expense of Carlton Cole who is being linked with a move to Turkey. Sounds like a good deal to me. Putting that to one side Curbishley should definitely be looking at a pacey impact player to replace the outward-bound Harewood. Lomano Lua-Lua is someone I think could do well at Upton Park and he can play wide right too giving the manager plenty of attacking options.
The recriminations over Yossi Benayoun's disappointing departure should not last long with the arrival of Julien Faubert, a genuine right-winger with pace and an eye for goal. Bowyer is an option as back-up on the right but I suspect Curbishley may also want a utility winger able to play on either side and will be hopeful youngsters like Kyel Reid can make the breakthrough from the academy. The future of Matthew Etherington at the club is questionable given his form and off-field problems last season but unless an acceptable bid for the player comes in I feel he will be tasked with putting pressure on the left-wing slot currently held by Luis Boa Morte. The situation may change though if Curbishley has a target in mind. If reported interest in Charles N'Zogbia, for example, is backed by a successful bid it would give Boa Morte an arguably more enthusiastic and dynamic competitior.
Bar a new left-back the rest of the defence needs no further surgery as long as last year's injury jinx doesn't strike again. There is an abundance of centre-halves. In the middle Matthew Upson and James Collins should start with back-up from Danny Gabiddon, Anton Ferdinand, Calum Davenport and the ever-present Christian Dailly. Lucas Neill provides strength and leadership in the right-back role which is adequately covered by Jonathan Spector and even Ferdinand if need be. Meanwhile Rob Green is the undisputed goalkeeper with light competition from new boy Richard Wright and the effervescent Jimmy Walker.
So three big signings along with one or two lesser additions should complete Curbishley's squad for the coming season. A squad almost unrecognisable from the one that began the league campaign last August. Considering what happened in that dramatic and stressful campaign I'm happy to take that as a positive sign for better times ahead.
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Hammers in £14 million Spurs bid - all3points.com
17th July 2007
By Staff Writer
West Ham are willing to up their offer for Spurs striker Jermain Defoe in an attempt to lure him from White Hart Lane. West Ham made a bid of around £11 million for Defoe several weeks back, which was rejected by Tottenham. The problem for West Ham is that the bid was rejected not on the basis of the offer but due to the fact that Defoe was not willing to go back to his old club. Speculation this morning is that West Ham have now increased their offer for Defoe to £14 million as well as offering enhanced personal terms to what was previously offered. West Ham will be hoping that a higher bid for Defoe will convince Tottenham that the striker is no longer a part of their plans and that they should convince him to move to West Ham.
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