Reading have rejected a bid from West Ham for defender Nicky Shorey, with
manager Steve Coppell describing the offer as "derisory". BBC Radio 5live
reported on Wednesday that the Royals had turned down a £4m offer for the
26-year-old. "I cannot deny there was a written offer made," said Coppell.
"Given the price of players today we thought it was nigh on a derisory
offer. "We turned it down immediately and we have had no contact since."
Shorey, 26, made his England debut against Brazil at Wembley at the end of
last season. He has been linked with Newcastle, but West Ham are favourites
to clinch a deal after talks on a new contract at Reading stalled.
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Derby turn down offer for Barnes - BBC
Derby have turned down a bid for highly-rated midfielder Giles Barnes. The
19-year-old, linked with West Ham and Tottenham, is valued at £5m by Premier
League new boys Derby. "We have had a bid for Giles Barnes but it is nowhere
near our valuation for the player - in fact the bid is miles away." said
boss Billy Davies. "We have also had enquiries about him from one or two
other clubs but my preference is that Giles Barnes does not leave us."
Barnes came through the ranks at Derby but has yet to play this season after
breaking a bone in his foot in last season's Championship play-off final
victory over West Brom. Davies added: "He needs to mature and develop as a
player and I feel he is already in the perfect environment to do that.
"However, every player around the world has a price and it is all about
valuation, whether the bidding club can meet the valuation at the player's
existing club."
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Davies: Barnes bid 'miles away' - SSN
Derby reluctant to sell young star
By Robin Hackett Last updated: 30th August 2007
Billy Davies has admitted Derby have received an offer for Giles Barnes -
but says it is 'miles away' from their valuation of the player. West Ham in
particular have been heavily linked with a move for the 19-year-old
midfielder, but the Rams boss is reluctant to let the starlet leave. "We
have had a bid for Giles Barnes, but it is nowhere near our valuation for
the player - in fact, the bid is miles away," he said. "We have also had
enquiries about him from one or two other clubs, but my preference is that
Giles Barnes does not leave us because I feel he has unfinished business
here at Derby. He needs to mature and develop as a player and I feel he is
already in the perfect environment to do that. "However, every player around
the world has a price and it is all about valuation, whether the bidding
club can meet the valuation at the player's existing club."
Barnes has yet to feature for Derby this season after breaking his foot in
the play-off final against West Brom in May, and Davies feels his absence is
hitting the side hard. "I would be delighted to play him right now because
he has that vital ability to turn defence into attack. "A lot of our tactics
at the moment are based around soaking up pressure and then hitting teams on
the break and Giles is perfect for that role - in fact, there is no-one else
at the club who can do that for us. "Not having him fit at the moment is a
massive loss but he is out for at least another four weeks. "He has no
chance of playing at Liverpool on Saturday and is a long way from fitness at
the moment."
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It's getting Dyer for Curbishley - getreading
The injury curse that has dogged Alan Curbishley's new signings at West Ham
became even more serious this week. The broken leg that the unfortunate
Kieran Dyer suffered against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night made him the
fourth summer signing on the Upton Park injury list. Dyer joins Freddy
Ljungberg (ankle), Scott Parker (knee) and Julian Faubert (achilles) in the
treatment room, while Calum Davenport, who arrived from Spurs in January, is
out with a hernia. When you take into account the long-term injuries that
crocked both Lucas Neill and Matthew Upson almost as soon as they joined the
club in the new year, the omens don't look good for Royals left-back Nicky
Shorey if he does sign for West Ham. Boss Curbishley has remained fairly
upbeat about the current situation at the club. "We've been very unlucky,"
said Curbishley. "We've lost Faubert, Dyer and Parker practically before
they've even kicked a ball. But that's what the squad is there for and we
have to get on with it." Backed up by Eggert Magnusson's confectionary
millions, West Ham have been like the proverbial child in a sweet shop this
year, making a staggering 13 additions to their first-team squad. This
number could well increase by midnight tonight.
Alongside the obvious interest in Shorey, West Ham have also confirmed they
have been in talks with Brazilian superstar Adriano, although whether it was
Curbishley or Magnusson who initiated the negotiations remains something of
a mystery. The injury problems at the club mean that Curbishley's only
big-name signing likely to feature at Madejski Stadium tomorrow is Craig
Bellamy, although former Royals loanee Upson should feature in defence
American Jonathon Spector should come in at left-back following the calf
injury sustained by George McCartney on Tuesday, providing, of course,
Shorey doesn't start for the Hammers at full-back!
Lucas Neill will captain the side from right back, while Anton Ferdinand
will want to forget the part he played in new years day's 6-0 drubbing as he
lines up next to Upson. There has been speculation that West Ham's
Reading-born player Hayden Mullins could act as makeweight in the Shorey
deal. But that seems unlikely as the injuries to Quashie and Parker leave
them a little thin on the ground where midfielders are concerned. Mullins
will almost certainly start tomorrow, partnering Mark Noble in the centre of
the park, while Matthew Etherington and Lee Bowyer should play on the left
and right-hand sides respectively. The birth of striker Dean Ashton's child
meant that he couldn't play in the win over Bristol Rovers on Tuesday and is
still not 100 per cent fit.
This means that Bobby Zamora and Bellamy will probably lead the Hammers
frontline tomorrow.
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Coppell: We're no soft touch - getreading
STEVE COPPELL has come out fighting by warning West Ham United that Reading
will not be seen as a soft touch – on or off the pitch. Royals play host to
the Hammers in the Premier League tomorrow (3pm kick off), battling to keep
star performer Nicky Shorey away from the clutches of their visitors. The
club turned down a "nigh on derisory" £4million bid from the Londoners
earlier this week, but his long-term future remains in the balance. Shorey
still has two years left on his contract at Madejski Stadium, and with no
replacement lined up Reading are in no rush to let him go. The Romford-born
left-back would be interested in a move to Upton Park, but with the transfer
deadline looming, even an improved £6m offer may not be enough to tempt
Reading into selling – at least until January. "West Ham were his boyhood
club so he has an affinity with them," said Coppell. "I want him to stay
here, but I can't say he will. "We politely declined their offer. We thought
it was a nigh on derisory offer and we have turned it down immediately. "As
far as I'm aware, there has not been any contact between the clubs since and
as far as I see it's closed."
The timing couldn't be worse for Reading with the Hammers visiting Madejski
Stadium tomorrow. But Coppell insists Royals will not be made to look stupid
by any club who think they can take their stars on the cheap. The boss
added: "Because we are not a big club and not aggressive in the transfer
market it doesn't mean we are a dormant soft touch. "Our chairman is a
businessman. We are not a soft touch and we are not just going to give away
our players who we have invested many years of time and commitment to. "We
don't want to be seen as a club where you are allowed to leave for what is
not a fair price.
"Four million pounds is a lot of money but as far as we're concerned we look
at the climate of players and it was just a flier. "It was just a 'they'll
turn it down, but you never know, they might be stupid enough to take it',
but we're not."
Although Coppell was not happy West Ham's offer was made public, he does not
believe there was a cynical ploy from the Hammers to unsettle his team ahead
of their visit to Madejski Stadium. He added: "I think it is just
coincidence of the fixtures. We can't stop people making offers. "I long to
go back to those days where a phone call is made and business would be done
in private. It seems now that if you make an offer then it gives the right
for it to be discussed in the public domain. "It's just a part of football
now. The deadline is an artificial construction that creates a feeding
frenzy."
Shorey has recovered from the knee injury he sustained while playing for
England. He will play for Reading providing a move to the Hammers does not
go though. The left-back refused to talk about the transfer speculation, but
he said: "I have trained and I feel good. I did my injury in the second half
against Germany when I just slipped. "I didn't feel it much until the next
day, but I have trained and I feel all right." Coppell will definitely be
without Fulham target Seol Ki-Hyeon (back), John Oster (ankle), Glen Little
(Achilles) and Ibrahima Sonko (knee). Sonko, though, returned to full
training yesterday and could be back in action within the next month. Shane
Long (hand) may not be risked as Leroy Lita and Dave Kitson are now
available, while skipper Graeme Murty should return from a calf injury
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Upson's Dyer KO horror - The Mirror
By Neil Mcleman 31/08/2007
Matthew Upson has revealed horrified West Ham players heard Kieron Dyer's
leg snap when he sustained his season-ending injury. The England midfielder
underwent surgery yesterday on the double break in his right leg suffered in
Tuesday's 2-1 Carling Cup victory at Bristol Rovers. And despite X-rays
revealing two clean breaks, Upson said the club was still coming to terms
with the shock of losing a player making just his third appearance since his
£6million arrival from Newcastle. The Hammers defender said: "It turns your
stomach doesn't it. A few of the boys heard the noise. But the problem is
not as bad as it can be. I am sure that he will be back fit and strong."
Upson has also endured long spells on the sidelines injured. He added: "You
can go into a state of despair. It is a massive mental challenge."
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West Ham Sound Out Chelsea About Cole - West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 30 August, 2007 - 22:10.
West Ham have made a bold move by attempting to lure old boy Joe Cole from
Chelsea back to the Boleyn. With injuries to new signings Freddi Ljungberg
from Arsenal and Kieron Dyer from Newcastle there is an acute need for
another creative midfielder. England International Cole is now well down the
pecking order at Chelsea following the arrival of Malouda and has had a well
documented spat with Jose Mourinho. Cole's wages prevented the prospect of a
return to West Ham before the Magnusson takeover but they shouldn't be a
problem now, whether the player himself wants to 'stay and fight for his
place' or if he wants away is a matter for debate on account of the fact
that there are conflicting statements coming from the player, his agent and
his current club, earlier today Cole's agent confirmed that his client was
looking to move to another London club, but importantly he would not be
drawn on which one! This would be a strictly loan deal initially, similar to
the one that saw another ex-hammer Glen Johnson go to Portsmouth last
season. Watch this space! - Ed
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Reading reject 'derisory' Shorey bid
Times Online and Agencies
Reading have confirmed they have rejected a £4 million offer from West Ham
United for England left back Nicky Shorey. Steve Coppell, the Reading
manager, insisted the 26-year-old was still on course to play against West
Ham on Saturday. "I cannot deny there was a written offer made," Coppell
said. "Given the price of players today we thought it was nigh on a derisory
offer. We turned it down immediately and we have had no contact since."
Shorey has established himself as a first team regular since moving from
Leyton Orient for £25,000 in 2001 and made his England debut against Brazil
at Wembley at the end of last season. He has been linked with Newcastle
United, but West Ham remain favourites to sign him after talks on a new
Reading contract stalled. Shorey has recovered from a knee injury picked up
on England duty earlier in the month and is set to go straight back into the
side at the weekend. One man who is on his way out of the Madejski Stadium
is defender Sam Sodje who has agreed to spend the rest of the season on loan
at Charlton Athletic.
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Davies realistic over Barnes sale - TeamTalk
Billy Davies is determined to hold on to Giles Barnes but admits Derby's
star midfielder could yet be sold if the club's valuation is met.
19-year-old Barnes has been linked with a possible transfer to Tottenham or
West Ham. County value Barnes at more than £5million but Davies confirmed
their asking price has not yet been met. Davies said: "We have had a bid for
Giles Barnes but it is nowhere near our valuation for the player - in fact
the bid is miles away. "We have also had enquiries about him from one or two
other clubs but my preference is that Giles Barnes does not leave us because
I feel he has unfinished business here at Derby. "He needs to mature and
develop as a player and I feel he is already in the perfect environment to
do that. "However, every player around the world has a price and it is all
about valuation, whether the bidding club can meet the valuation at the
player's existing club."
Meanwhile, Davies, whose side lie bottom of the table, must prepare for a
daunting trip to Liverpool on Saturday. And Barnes is certain to be excused
duty as he has yet to regain full fitness after breaking a foot against West
Brom in their victorious play-off final at Wembley in May. Davies said: "I
would be delighted to play him right now because he has that vital ability
to turn defence into attack. "A lot of our tactics at the moment are based
around soaking up pressure and then hitting teams on the break and Giles is
perfect for that role - in fact there is no-one else at the club who can do
that for us. "Not having him fit at the moment is a massive loss but he is
out for at least another four weeks. "He has no chance of playing at
Liverpool on Saturday and is a long way from fitness at the moment."
But defender Claude Davis is expected to play at Anfield after recovering
from a rib injury, though fellow centre-half Dean Leacock has been rated as
a doubt as the result of his toe injury. Eddie Lewis is also struggling for
fitness after complaining of a groin niggle while David Jones has been ruled
out by a similar injury. Benny Feilhaber has an ankle knock but Tyrone Mears
(thigh) returns.
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