WHUFC.com
The all-new 2009/10 official matchday programme is packed with exclusive stories and photos
06.08.2009
West Ham United supporters simply cannot afford to miss the 2009/10 official matchday programme. Jam-packed with exclusive interviews and photographs, the all-new matchday programme contains everything a fan could want to know about their club. Saturday's visit of SSC Napoli for the Bobby Moore Cup will be no different, with a competition to win a shirt signed by Saturday's guest of honour Sir Trevor Brooking. Inside, Sir Trevor speaks about his life and times as a West Ham player, caretaker manager and director on the day the North Stand is re-named in his honour. Stephanie Moore MBE also discusses the legacy of her late husband Bobby and the charity she set up in his honour.
On the playing side, Danny Gabbidon talks about his joy at making a scoring return from injury at the Barclays Asia Trophy, while Robert Green reveals his sporting ambitions in the new 'Talking Football' feature. Valon Behrami has donned his manager's coat in 'My Dream Team' while, from days gone by, former Hammers striker Florin Raducioiu talks about his time at the Boleyn Ground in 'Where Are They Now?' Manager Gianfranco Zola speaks about his hopes ahead of the new season in his exclusive column, while there are also profiles of the club's summer signings Luis Jimenez, Frank Nouble, Fabio Daprela and Jack Lampe.
The first edition of the new season will also showcase a host of interesting and exciting new features, including:
*Meet The Visitors - A colourful and insightful look at SSC Napoli, with extensive pen-pictures and new 'Scouting Report' and 'Talking Tactics' sections giving a closer look at our opponents.
*Learning His Trade - An in-depth interview with defender Matt Fry, who signed his first professional contract in June.
*Team Behind The Team - A chat with Stijn Vandenbroucke, a new member of the club's medical department.
*Recipe For Success - Head chef Tim De'Ath with his own take on Italian meatballs.
*Cypriot and Blue - A closer look at Cypriot First Divison Club Enosis Paralimni, who have played in claret and blue ever since Bobby Moore sent them a West Ham United kit 38 years ago.
With ticket news, appearance records, league tables, supporters' messages and much, much more, fans cannot afford to miss the all-new official matchday programme.
The 84-page West Ham United official matchday programme will be available in and around the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, priced £3.50.
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Payne's progress
WHUFC.com
Josh Payne has enjoyed a productive pre-season and is looking forward to the campaign ahead
05.08.2009
A year ago, Josh Payne was West Ham United's Under-18 captain and looking forward to a season of youth and reserve-team football.
Just 12 months later, the teenager has made two Barclays Premier League appearances and has spent the pre-season as part of Gianfranco Zola's first-team squad. Payne joined the Hammers on their Austrian training camp before heading to China, where he appeared against Beijing Guoan in the Barclays Asia Trophy.
"There were no holidays out there," the 18-year-old told WHUTV. "We would train in the morning, go back to the hotel for lunch and then train again in the afternoon.
"It's been hard work and it's been tiring trying to get used to the time differences, but it's been good to be involved in it."
Having graduated from the Academy to the first-team squad - via a successful loan spell at League One side Cheltenham Town last autumn - in such a short space of time, Payne could be forgiven for letting it all go to his head.
Living at the club's Youth House with three team-mates means there is no chance that the midfielder will take his eye off the ball.
Payne's latest opportunity to shine came in a West Ham United XI pre-season friendly at Bishop's Stortford - a game watched by the club's entire first-team coaching staff.
"You look back and you see how quickly it's gone, so you have to make the most of the time. You've got to appreciate where you are and never take your foot off the pedal. You've got to keep going. I've just got to keep working hard and when I get my chance I've got to prove myself.
"Working under Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke is brilliant. Going into work, you know you're going to get a good training session and get something out of it every day."
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U18s shaping up
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Under-18s will go into Saturday's match with Ipswich Town on a high
06.08.2009
West Ham United Under-18s will play host to Ipswich Town in a pre-season friendly this Saturday looking to build on an excellent summer's work so far.
Tony Carr's young charges performed impressively in their latest friendly on Wednesday with a 1-0 win away to Reading after a solo strike from Danny Purdy. It came after Nick Barrett had stuck the crossbar with a fine long-range effort and a couple of other good chances for the travelling Hammers.
"We turned in a very good defensive performance, which was pleasing," said Carr, who is just back from a successful coaching camp with talented young American players in Atlanta. "The whole team worked very hard and it put us in good confidence for the game against Ispwich. It was a good work-out. Reading pushed us all the way.
"It has been an excellent pre-season for the Academy. The players have worked very hard and done well in training and in our friendly matches. The new intake and the second years have done very well, and it is a bonus that results have been good. "
Click here to see when the Under-18s begin their league campaign.
West Ham United: Loveday, Smith, Brown, Moncur, Lampe, Driver, Barrett, Wearen, Abdulla, Montano, Subuola
Subs used: Craig, Werndly, Purdy, Hall, Sanchez
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No truth in US bid rumours, say spokesmen
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 6th August 2009
By: Staff Writer
Rumours of an impending bid for West Ham United by an American billionaire appear to have been wide of the mark. American sports tycoon Clark Hunt - who already owns two clubs in the MLS, America's version of the Premier League - has been linked with a bid for the Hammers since last weekend. Today's Sun newspaper also ran a story linking Hunt with a move for United, who are currently under the control of CB Holdings, a group representing former creditors of the Straumur bank. However a spokesman for Hunt has this evening dismissed the rumours; Ryan Petkoff told a local reporter that "we're fully content with our sports holdings at this time and have no interest in any additional investments."
George Andersen, an executive of Straumur also dismissed reports of serious interest from Hunt or any other potential bidder, adding: "We still believe there is no buyer out there willing to pay what we believe the club is worth. We are not actively pushing to sell the club. "A lot of people are interested, but are only willing to buy it cheaply."
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Napoli squad named
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 6th August 2009
By: Staff Writer
Napoli boss Roberto Donadoni has named his squad for this weekend's visit to the Boleyn Ground. The Italians meet the Hammers on Saturday afternoon in the final pre-season friendly of the season for which the Bobby Moore Cup will be up for grabs. Donadoni - who was one of the front runners to succeed Alan Curbishley as manager of the Hammers last year - has been in charge of the Azzurri for little more than three months, having taken over from the sacked Edy Reja back in March. The former Italian international has named a strong squad for the game including new signing goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis, Italian international midfielder Manuele Blasi and a player once dubbed the 'new Maradona' by the Argentinian press, striker Ezequiel Lavezzi. Gianfranco Zola is expected to name a side similar to that which beat Beijing Guoan 2-0 last week.
Napoli squad: De Sanctis, Gianello; Aronica, Campagnari, Contini, Grava, Rinaudo, Santacroce; Blasi, Bogliacino, Cigarini, Datolite, Gargano, Hamsik, Maggio, Montervino, Pazienza, Vitale; Denis, Hoffer, Lavezzi, Quagliarella.
West Ham likely starting XI: Green; Faubert, Upson, Collins, Ilunga; Parker, Noble, Dyer, Collison, Jimenez; Cole.
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Bishops Stortford 1 West Ham Utd 0
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 6th August 2009
By: Staff Writer
A second string Hammers side were narrowly beaten at Woodside Park last night. Gianfranco Zola (plus family) and Gianluca Nani were both present as the young United XI went down to a late Duane Jackman strike in a tight contest against the Blue Square league outfit. West Ham enjoyed better possession throughout the game but failed to profit from a string of chances before substitute Jackman rose to nod home a Mark Wright corner with just three minutes remaining to win the game for the hosts. The Hammers featured new signing Frank Nouble - who went into the game having scored three goals in his first two outings for the Hammers since moving from Chelsea - plus a number of players on the fringe of the first team, including Savio Nsereko, Zavon Hines and goalkeeper Peter Kurucz.
West Ham Utd XI: Kurucz, Spence, Eyjolfsson (Brookes 46), N'Gala, Fry (Kearns 46), Lee (Zola 46), Quashie (Grasser 46), Payne, Hines, Nouble (Edgar 46), Savio (Magos 74).
Subs not used: Stech.
Bishops Stortford: Eyre, Jones (Nunn 67), Wright, Jallow, Goodacre (Angus 87), Champion, Harris, Bowditch (Priest 70), McKenzie (Bolle 79), Sheringham (Jackman 59), Nicholls (Prestedge 63).
Subs not used: Hussein, Jones, Stevland.
Goals: Jackman (87).
Attendance: 751.
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Toni agent in Hammers hint
Bayern striker linked with loan move to West Ham
By James Dall Last updated: 7th August 2009
SSN
Luca Toni's agent believes the Bayern Munich striker could sign for West Ham United. Reports have suggested the Hammers could make a swoop for the Italy international, who has fallen down the pecking order at the Allianz Arena. Bayern recently cooled talk linking Toni with a switch to Upton Park, but rumours of a deal have resurfaced. Toni's agent, Jose Alberti, told TMW: "I think it will happen. At Bayern (Toni) is not playing and (Hammers boss Gianfranco) Zola is a great friend of his." It is claimed that a season-long loan agreement could be in the offing as Toni looks to ensure regular first team football ahead of the 2010 World Cup.
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Fernandez in demand
Argentine in English link
Last updated: 6th August 2009
SSN
Dinamo Moscow stopper Leandro Fernandez is being chased by a host of Premier League clubs, skysports.com understands. Fernandez impressed a number of scouts in the recent UEFA Champions League qualifying clashes with Celtic. And following Celtic's win in Moscow on Wednesday, Fernandez could now be ready to move on. The Argentine international defender, who has EU citizenship, has been with Dinamo since 2006, when he joined from River Plate. Fernandez is a big fans' favourite at Dinamo and is regarded as one of the best defenders in the Russian top-flight. But now the 26-year-old could be set to depart the club, with interest mounting in England with Arsenal, Aston Villa, Everton and West Ham all believed to be showing a keen interest. "The interest in Leandro Fernandez is significant," his British representative Barry McIntosh told skysports.com. "At this point, though, it is too early to talk about names or specific clubs. "But Luis is keen on a move to the Premier League, that is true."
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Big interest in Black Cat
Sunderland star could be tempted away
Last updated: 6th August 2009
SSN
Skysports.com understands that a host of clubs are set to battle it out for Sunderland's Nyron Nosworthy. The 28-year-old central defender has emerged as a cult figure at the Stadium of Light with the club's fans. He arrived in 2005 from Gillingham and has now played over 100 times for the Black Cats. New Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is keen for Nosworthy to stay, but he seems unlikely to stand in his way if a firm offer was made. With that in mind Nosworthy could be tempted elsewhere, and skysports.com understands a number of Premier League clubs are taking a keen interest. Portsmouth, Stoke, Blackburn and West Ham are thought to be showing an interest - whilst Aston Villa and Everton are both believed to have scouted him over pre-season.
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Zola influence to swing Toni deal?
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 6th August 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's chances of signing veteran striker Luca Toni were given a boost today. Despite previous claims that the 32-year-old Italian international would be staying at Bayern fresh reports from tuttomercatoweb suggest that the last season's Bundesliga runners-up could now be willing to allow Toni to leave the Allianz Arena.
A spokesman for Bayern refused to rule out a potential sale, stating: "So far nobody has come to us to offer something for the player. At the moment we are not considering a sale."
Zola, who football agent Josè Alberti referred to as a 'great friend' of the former Palermo and Fiorentina star is said to be in prime position to land the striker should he decide to leave Bayern, for whom he has scored 38 goals in 56 appearances. When asked whether he felt Toni could indeed team up with Zola at the Boleyn next season, Alberti said: "I think so. At Bayern he is not playing and Zola is a great friend."
The major stumbling block for any potential deal would obviously be Bayern's insistence on an immediate fee, with the Hammers penniless and having to sell before they can buy - not to mention Toni's huge wages. Any potential deal would almost certainly be structured in a similar manner to that which saw Luis Jimenez arrive on loan from Inter last month.
Toni signed a four-year deal with the Bavarians when moving from Fiorentia in 2007 in a deal worth €11million. He finished his first season in Germany as the league's top goalscorer having netted 24 goals before scoring 13 times in the first half of last season. Achilles problems dogged the 6'5" forward for the final half of last season and he managed to score just once more before the end of the season, but still finished as Bayern's top goalscorer (from open play). He remains an integral part of Italy's 2010 World Cup campaign
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Toni tipped to join West Ham
442 Staff - Yesterday, 15:04
FourFourTwo
Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni could be on his way to West Ham United this summer, according to the player's agent. The 32-year-old has netted 38 league goals in just 56 outings for the German giants since arriving in 2007, having bagged 47 and 50 league goals for previous clubs Fiorentina and Palermo respectively. The prolific Italian - who has not been quite as lethal in front of goal for his country - is believed to be concerned about his first-team opportunities at the Allianz Arena in 2009/10 following the arrival of new coach Louis van Gaal and strikers Mario Gomez and Ivica Olic. And as a result, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham have been linked with a move for the front-man, with Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola also being tipped to land Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen and Inter Milan attacker Mario Balotelli as he attempts to bolster his forward line. Bayern director of sport Christian Nerlinger moved to quash talk of Toni departing for pastures new earlier this week, insisting there had been no enquiries for the front-man, telling Munchener Merkur: "There is no bid regarding Luca Toni. And we are not really considering his future."
However, Toni's agent, Jose Alberti has since revealed that the striker could be persuaded to swap Munich for East London to play under Zola, who is a friend of his. "I think it will happen," he said, as reported by TMW. "At Bayern [Toni] is not playing and Zola is a great friend of his."
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Luca Toni keen to join up with pal Gianfranco Zola at West Ham - but will Spurs hijack the deal?
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 4:38 PM on 06th August 2009
Daily Mail
Luca Toni is keen on a move to West Ham United, says the Bayern Munich striker's agent. The Italy international is apparently friends with Upton Park boss Gianfranco Zola, which could swing the 32-year-old towards east London. Toni was linked to Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer and Harry Redknapp could renew his interest after missing out on AC Milan-bound Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Take a Luca: Toni wants first-team football to secure his place in the Italy team But his current stellar salary - reportedly £90,000 a week after-tax - scuppered a £4m transfer. However, West Ham would be keen to take him on loan for the season with Bayern continuing to pick up a substantial part of the bill. The Italy striker's starting place is in doubt at the Allianz Arena, which is not healthy heading towards next year's World Cup finals. And as for a move to West Ham, his agent Jose Alberti told TMW: 'I think it will happen. At Bayern (Toni) is not playing and Zola is a great friend of his.' Zola wants to bring in a striker and is also keen on Inter Milan's 18-year-old star Mario Balotelli.
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West Ham's future in fresh doubt• Icelandic bank still unsure of future agreement
Chief executive Duxbury says accounts are a 'disaster'
Matt Scott The Guardian, Friday 7 August 2009
West Ham United's owner was forced yesterday to admit to "significant uncertainty" over its own future, plunging the future of the club into fresh doubt.
Insolvency managers for the collapsed Icelandic bank, Straumur – which owns the Hammers through its parent company, CB Holding – have so far failed to reach agreement with a committee of key creditors over what is owed to whom. Only when that is settled can Straumur executives' plans for a "composition agreement", over how to manage the insolvent bank's assets, even be put to the vote.
Under Icelandic law the courts will liquidate Straumur, holding a firesale of its assets such as West Ham, unless the composition agreement can be concluded before 11 December. And after yesterday's meeting in Reykjavik, that looks more distant than ever.
Straumur has avoided such concerns by portraying its transformation into an asset-management company as effectively a fait accompli. But, worryingly for Hammers fans, Tim Desieno, the legal counsel for one major creditor, Delaware Investments, revealed: "There are significant commercial points with significant disagreement between Straumur and the Informal Creditors' Committee.
"You [the bank's chief executive, Ottar Palsson] say we are coming toward the end of the process but there is a lot to be done to bridge the gaps."
Palsson, who again stressed his belief that creditors will lose out unless they sign up to his plans for Straumur to become an asset-management company, admitted: "We're still insolvent. We're in pretty bad shape. The only option [to get] out of this phase is through a composition or bankruptcy. We believe there are no other real alternatives. That needs to be made absolutely clear."
Andrew Bernhardt, the Straumur executive appointed chairman of West Ham in June when it assumed control of the club following the bankruptcy of its former owner, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, said yesterday: "This meeting has no significance in relation to [West Ham]."
However, if Straumur is liquidated the "two-year plan" previously spoken of by Bernhardt will lie in tatters. Consortiums of other banks represented by Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland hold first charge over West Ham's assets through their loans into the club. Together these are believed to amount to more than £40m.
Scott Duxbury, the club's chief executive, has admitted West Ham's accounts are "a disaster". (Although they cannot be scrutinised since they have not been filed since December 2007 and will be more than a year out of date when finally they are submitted.)
It is clear, however, that if the club continues to be run at a loss without such losses being covered by an owner, West Ham will run a serious risk of being placed into administration by their banking consortiums. Yesterday Bernhardt sought to reassure fans over the club's direction by insisting: "We are working closely with the executive management team of West Ham United and providing support."
Bernhardt confirmed that the management consultant Bob Ellis had been appointed a non-executive director at Upton Park. But he refused yesterday to discuss reports about a £120m bid for the club from the US billionaire Clark Hunt. "I won't comment on any issues of a sale," he said. "We are in a managed work-out and this is one of the assets we are looking to sell in time."
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Have West Ham unearthed their knight in shining armour?
Posted by: GUEST BLOGGER , on Thu 6 Aug 2009
West Ham Football Fancast
Football FanCast guest columnist Joe Bryans wonders if Clark Hunt could prove the answer to all West Ham's prayers.
I doubt there has been a fan base that has been put through the mill quite like West Ham over the past 18months and to say it has been unsettling is something of an understatement. If Tevezgate wasn't bad enough then seeing our club owner lose his whole fortune due to the collapse of the Icelandic banks is quite another. To say our future has been uncertain over this time is putting it mildly; however there could possibly be some good news on the horizon.
According to reports in the Sun this morning the American tycoon Clark Hunt is the latest name linked with a takeover of the club. CB Holdings, who are doing their level best to sort out the financial mess left by Gudmundsson, have suggested that they will be open to offers provided a suitable financial package is in place that can take the club forward. The aforementioned Hunt is certainly no stranger to the runnings of a football club, being that he owns two soccer franchises in the States, therefore the prospect of him moving into West Ham would be highly appealing, providing he is prepared to pump the required millions into the club.
On paper it looks like a dream ticket, especially as his family are Texan billionaires and it would be nice to see us being in a position to compete in the market financially; however the experience of American owners in the Premier League has been slightly mixed. While Randy Lerner has shown himself to be astute and careful with Aston Villa, both Liverpool and Man United have been showered in debt by their new owners who have simply borrowed money against the club in order to get the hands on it. While I accept that we are a lot cheaper to purchase than they were, at the same time the last thing I would want to see is the Hammers and any potential signings all brought in on borrowed money; especially given the financial mess we have found ourselves in during the past few years.
Hopefully Hunt will provide us all with an 'American Dream' and not give us yet another financial nightmare.
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Mancini turns down a move!
Newham Recorder
06 August 2009
WEST HAM seem to have lost their battle to sign Brazilian star Mancini after the winger decided to stay with Italian champs Inter Milan, wrotes DAVE EVANS. The Hammers' negotiating team of Gianluca Nani and Scott Duxbury thought they were close to a deal with the 28-year-old international, but it seems that he has had second thoughts, and will try to force his way back into the Inter team. Insiders say that the deal is not completely dead, as Jose Mourinho is still keen to offload around five players from his top-heavy squad, but it appears that Mancini is no longer close to the top of manager Gianfranco Zola's shopping list. A loan deal is still a possibility, but with the newly-married wing man settled in Italy, he would be resistant to even a temporary move. With a week-and-a-half to go before the season kicks-off for the Hammers at Wolverhampton Wanderers, they are becoming increasingly anxious to sign a striker.
Negotiations with Icelandic international Eidur Gudjohnsen are apparently still ongoing, and he remains the top priority for West Ham as they go into Saturday's Bobby Moore Cup clash with Napoli at Upton Park, with Carlton Cole as their only fit and experienced striker.
Stories linking West Ham with another Inter striker - Mario Balotelli - seem to be wide of the mark, despite alleged quotes from Zola, saying the player would be better off at Upton Park. The 18-year-old Sardinian, who has scored 11 goals in 33 appearances for Inter, was a part of Zola's Italian under-21 side, but he is also known as something of a volatile character. However, it seems that those Zola quotes may not have been too accurate, and Nani has dismissed the prospect of signing the player, even on a loan deal, as he is seen by Mourinho as an essential part of his Champions League and Serie A squad.
Many fans are becoming anxious at the lack of movement in the transfer marker by the club. To date, only Luis Jimenez (on loan), 17-year-old Frank Nouble and 18-year-old Fabio Daprela have arrived at the club during the summer transfer window. Sources inside the club however, say that there is no need to panic and that there are plenty of irons in the fire. We all wait with baited breath!
Meanwhile, West Ham expect a crowd of around 25,000 for Saturday's game with Italian giants Napoli. The Bobby Moore Cup clash, which kicks-off at 3pm, will also see the Centenary Stand renamed after Sir Trevor Brooking, and the great man will be there for the official unveiling. Tickets are available on the day, and if the match finishes level, it will go to penalties.
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WEST HAM: Italian star keen on Hammers move, says agent
5:44pm Thursday 6th August 2009
Guardian Series
BAYERN MUNICH striker Luca Toni is keen on a move to West Ham, according to the player's agent. The Italy international and World Cup winner has been frustrated by a lack of first-team action at the Allianz Arena and has been linked with a move away. Toni's agent Jose Alberti claims the relationship between the tall striker and Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is the catalyst behind the move, and he is confident that a deal will be struck that sees the former Fiorentina man sworn in to east London.
"I think it will happen," Alberti was quoted as saying by TMW. "At Bayern (Toni) is not playing and Zola is a great friend of his."
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Payne delighted training with West Ham senior squad
07.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United teenager Josh Payne is delighted to be doing preseason with the senior setup. "You look back and you see how quickly it's gone, so you have to make the most of the time," Payne told whufc.com. "You've got to appreciate where you are and never take your foot off the pedal. You've got to keep going. I've just got to keep working hard and when I get my chance I've got to prove myself. "Working under Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke is brilliant. Going into work, you know you're going to get a good training session and get something out of it every day."
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American billionaire circles West Ham
07.08.09 | Ian Ferris
The Sun is reporting that American billionaire Clark Hunt is interested in West Ham and is in talks with the club's current owners, CB Holding. Hunt currently owns two MLS teams - Columbus Crew and FC Dallas - and is known to be a keen football fan.
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West Ham haggling over Kovac fee with Spartak Moscow
07.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United are in talks with Spartak Moscow over an outright deal for midfielder Radoslav Kovac. The Mirror says the Czech, who scored once in 10 appearances on loan from Spartak Moscow last season, is available for £3.5million but Hammers are offering just £2m. Manager Gianfranco Zola is also desperate to sign a new striker after Bayern Munich told him that Italy striker Luca Toni is not for sale or loan.
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Brescia snap up released West Ham fullback Lopez
07.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United chief Gianluca Nani has helped Walter Lopez find a new club. The Uruguay left-back was released by West Ham at the end of last season and has signed with Serie B Brescia this week. Nani is a former Brescia sports director.
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Agent expects West Ham to sign Bayern Munich striker Toni
07.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
Argentine agent Jose Alberti expects West Ham United to land Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni. Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola hopes to set up a loan deal for the Italy international. Alberti told TMW: "I think it will happen. At Bayern he (Toni) is not playing and Zola is a great friend of his."
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