By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 12:13 PM on 25th August 2009
Daily Mail
David Gold is waiting to discover if there will be any role for him at Birmingham City once Carson Yeung's takeover of the club is completed before deciding whether to move to buy West Ham, which could cost him up to £150 million. Gold, who is a fan of the Hammers and was even a part of their youth setup, is believed to be willing to assist Yeung once the takeover is complete as he adjusts to life at the helm of a Premier League football club. However, if Yeung does not require Gold's services, both he and David Sullivan will find their long involvement with the club at an end.
If this is the case, then the 72-year-old will ponder an official approach to West Ham - perhaps once again with the involvement of Sullivan - to see if a deal can be reached.
A potential stumbling block seems to be Gold's valuation of the East London club. The official valuation is believed to be around £150 million - £100 million to buy the club and £50 million to take on the club's working debts - but Gold is not prepared to pay that much.
West Ham are currently owned by their creditors including Straumur, the collapsed Icelandic bank, via the asset management company CB Holdings. Straumur are keen to sell as they need to service their own creditors, and would be prepared to listen to any serious offers. Gold, along with his brother Ralph, is reported to be worth around £300 million, according to the Sunday Times Rich List. He is believed to be very keen to stay in football, and has told friends that the opportunity to buy West Ham and take the club forward is one that intrigues him.
Before Gold can make any advances, however, the sale of Birmingham City must be finalised. The Premier League has received the required paperwork from Yeung regarding his buy-out, and the transaction could be completed as soon as this week. The businessman is offering around £80 million for the club, and has said once he is in charge he will give manager Alex McLeish around £5 million of his own money to fund the signing of new players.
'I have already contacted some players ... We have bought the club with company money but I personally will invest £4-5 million if we get along with the players,' he said. 'Before the 1 September transfer deadline, I hope I can buy some useful players.' McLeish had earlier complained about not being provided the finances required to preserve the club's top-flight status.
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Hammers to land Diamanti
Livorno striker set to make Upton Park move
By Chris Burton Last updated: 25th August 2009
SSN
West Ham are on the verge of completing the signing of Alessandro Diamanti, according to Livorno's president. The Hammers moved for the 26-year-old frontman last week, keen to fend off interest from a number of other sides. Serie A new boys Livorno claimed on Monday that they were yet to receive an acceptable approach from any of those sides chasing Diamanti, but have now altered their stance. Club supremo Aldo Spinelli claims an agreement has been reached with West Ham and he expects a deal to be completed imminently. "It's practically a done deal," he said. "It was right to give the player the possibility to test himself in a different environment. "After several years at Livorno, he deserves the chance to take a step forward in his career."
Diamanti joined Livorno in 2007 and is under contract with the Tuscan outfit for a further four years. However, having expressed a desire to try his luck in England, he will be allowed to move on.
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Cole and Defoe give Capello food for thought
Carlton Cole and Jermain Defoe could be a perfect England combo
By Dave Smith August 25, 2009
GiveMeFootball.com
Carlton Cole is now fulfilling his potential, to the extent that he can claim a regular place in the England side, claims West Ham teammate Scott Parker. And, with Jermain Defoe currently on fire at Spurs, Cole himself feels they can form a telling partnership on the international stage. Parker says: "Carlton has got all the attributes to be a big player for us and at international level. Everyone could see against Spurs he's got massive strength. "He can bring people into the game as well and he's got a massive season ahead of him. If he does well this season I think he'll definitely be pushing to get into the England side. "He scored a great goal and he's made a mistake, but that could have happened to any of us out there, it's part and parcel of football. You put yourself on offer like Coley does and you are going to make mistakes."
Meanwhile, Cole says of his international credentials: "I've been in the last four squads and I'm grateful that Mr Capello sees so much potential in me to be in the England team.
"West Ham strikers have a good history in World Cup Finals and that would be nice but I'm staying realistic. I need to do the business for West Ham and then hopefully I'll be in South Africa. "Jermain and I work really well together because I'm the big man and he's the small striker. He wants to get in the box while I like to get stuck in so we do complement each other really well. "He's got a bright future with the England team and I hope I can follow in his footsteps."
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Diamanti 'on verge' of West Ham move
Independent.co.uk
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Livorno president Aldo Spinelli claims striker Alessandro Diamanti is on the verge of a move to West Ham. The 26-year-old scored 16 goals last season in Serie B, including a vital three strikes in the promotion play-offs. "It was right to give the player the possibility to test himself in a different environment. "After several years at Livorno, he deserves the chance to take a step forward in his career."
Diamanti joined Livorno in the summer of 2007 and is under contract with the Tuscan outfit for a further four years. The player said yesterday that a transfer to Upton Park would "change my life and make me take a leap in quality".
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West Ham set to seal £5.7 million deal for Alessandro Diamanti
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 11:34 AM on 25th August 2009
Daily Mail
West Ham United appear to be close to agreeing a deal to sign highly-rated Italian striker Alessandro Diamanti from Livorno, according to the Italian club's president Aldo Spinelli. With a potentially career-threatening injury to Dean Ashton forcing Gianfranco Zola to find other attacking players to support the squad's sole striker Carlton Cole, the Hammers boss looks to have finally found his man. 'It's practically done for Diamanti to West Ham,' Spinelli told the press this morning. The player deserves to make the step-up after his stint at Livorno. Just a few details need to be finalised before the move becomes official.' According to the club's sporting director, Nelso Ricci, the east London club will pay around £5.7 million in instalments for the 26-year-old. 'West Ham will pay €6.5 million over three years. We couldn't have kept a player who wanted to leave for another club. 'Diamanti told us he wanted to go to England as it was a chance of a lifetime for him,' added Ricci. On Monday, Diamanti said joining West Ham would be a 'dream move'.
The deep-lying forward, who scored 15 goals in Serie B last season, had attracted the attention of Inter Milan earlier in the summer.
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Diamanti gets West Ham wish Tuesday 25 August, 2009
Football-Italia.net
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Alessandro Diamanti "begged us in tears to let him join West Ham," so Livorno announced they'll accept a £5.5m offer. The club had previously turned down the bid, considering it unsatisfactory, but the turning point came in a meeting with the player last night. "Diamanti literally begged us in tears to let him join West Ham," director of sport Nelso Ricci told the Corriere dello Sport. He said this is the opportunity of a lifetime. He thanked the President for having signed him from Prato in Serie C2, but now he wants to leave. "West Ham will pay £5.5m in three years. What could [President Aldo] Spinelli do other than sell a player who no longer wants to be here? "We cannot keep unhappy players. Spinelli had already improved Diamanti's contract to match the higher earners, like [Cristiano] Lucarelli."
Diamanti was one of the stars of Livorno's promotion, scoring 16 goals in Serie B last season and providing countless assists. A free kick specialist and capable of shooting accurately from long range, the 26-year-old tends to play behind the strikers or as part of a trident. He was talent scouted by Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola, who has also been making bids for Mario Balotelli, Goran Pandev and Massimo Oddo. "After Diamanti's departure, the President is prepared to reimburse season ticket holders who are against this move," added Ricci.
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Father of West Ham star dies on his way to Spurs match
Terry Kirby
25.08.09
Evening Standard
A second West Ham football star has been hit by tragedy, it was disclosed today. The father of midfielder Jack Collison, 20, died in a motorcycle accident while riding to see his son play against Tottenham on Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, defender Calum Davenport is recovering from a second emergency operation yesterday after being stabbed at his home. Ian Collison, 46, a roofer, died after crashing on the M25 near Epping just before noon on Sunday. His son played 89 minutes of the match, which kicked off at 1.30pm, unaware of his father's death. West Ham lost 1-2. The player was told later in the evening. A West Ham spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with Jack and his family and we ask people to respect his privacy at a very difficult time for them.''
Davenport, 26, was said to be stable after the second operation, aimed at repairing an artery in his leg. It is not known whether he will play again. His mother, Kim, 49, who was also injured in the attack, was also said to be stable. Worrell Whitehurst, 25, from Derby, the boyfriend of Davenport's sister, Cara, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent
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Zola lands Diamanti after tears and begging episode
Sport.co.uk
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on:25 August 2009 - 10:15
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has reportedly signed Livorno forward Alessandro Diamanti for a fee believed to be in the region of £5.5 million. According to Director of Sport Nelso Ricci, Diamanto was in tears begging the club to let him join the Hammers. Ricci told Corriere dello Sport: "Diamanti literally begged us in tears to let him join West Ham.
"He said this is the opportunity of a lifetime. He thanked the President for having signed him from Prato in Serie C2, but now he wants to leave. "West Ham will pay £5.5m in three years. What could [President Aldo] Spinelli do other than sell a player who no longer wants to be here? "We cannot keep unhappy players. Spinelli had already improved Diamanti's contract to match the higher earners, like [Cristiano] Lucarelli."
Diamanti scored 16 goals in Serie B last term.
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Oddo in West Ham transfer claim
Independent.co.uk
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
AC Milan right-back Massimo Oddo claims West Ham have expressed an interest in taking him to Upton Park. Oddo spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich after struggling to hold down a regular place under former coach Carlo Ancelotti. The inquiry from West Ham, and their Italian manager Gianfranco Zola, has come from a third party rather than the club itself but Oddo is willing to consider any permanent move. The 33-year-old said: "The latest interest I received is from West Ham which has yet to be formalised as I was contacted by an agent and not by a club executive. "I have already had an experience on loan, which is not ideal for a player. "Hence, I don't want to go away and then come back to the same conditions as I was in the previous year. "I have to look not only at my interests but that of my family. "To go away for a year with young children and face a new culture doesn't seem the ideal situation."
Reports in Italy have linked Oddo with a move to the Hammers in a swap deal which would see French midfielder Julien Faubert switch to the San Siro. Former Italy international Oddo is under contract with the Rossoneri until June 2011.
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We're Thinking (And Praying) For You, Jack
West Ham Till I Die
There's nothing that any of us can say on this site to lessen the pain must be feeling today after the dreadful loss of his father, Ian, in a motorbike accident on the M25 on Saturday. Mr Collison was on his way to see his son play against Spurs. Jack can at least rest in the knowledge that his father was incredibly son of his son's achievements in the game, but for a life to be cut short at the age of 46 is cruel indeed.
Those of us who think there is a greater being guiding our lives will be offering a prayer for the Collison family this morning. The rest of us will hold them in our thoughts.
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Diamanti pleads for switch
The Sun
Published: Today
ALESSANDRO DIAMANTI is on his way to West Ham after BEGGING Livorno to sell him. The striker, 26, will join the Upton Park club for £5.5million, which the Hammers will pay over three years. Diamanti was playing in Italy's third tier just two years ago before Livorno gave him his big move. The Italian club's director of sport Nelso Ricci revealed Diamanti was desperate to make the switch to England. Ricci said: "Diamanti literally begged us in tears to let him join West Ham. "He said this is the opportunity of a lifetime. He thanked the president for having signed him but now he wants to leave. "What could the president do other than sell a player who no longer wants to be here? "We cannot keep unhappy players. We had already improved Diamanti's contract to match the higher earners."
Livorno president Aldo Spinelli added: "It's practically done for Diamanti to West Ham. "The player deserves to make the step-up after his stint at Livorno. "Just a few details need to be finalised before the move becomes official."
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Hammers Make Odd Move
The Sun
Published: Today
MASSIMO ODDO claims West Ham have expressed an interest in taking him to Upton Park. The AC Milan right-back spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich after struggling to hold down a regular place under former coach Carlo Ancelotti. The 33-year-old said: "The latest interest I received is from West Ham which has yet to be formalised as I was contacted by an agent and not by a club executive. "I have had an experience on loan, which is not ideal for a player. "Hence, I don't want to go away and then come back to the same conditions as I was in the previous year. "I have to look not only at my interests but that of my family. "To go away for a year with young children and face a new culture doesn't seem the ideal situation."
Reports in Italy have linked Oddo with a swap deal which would see French midfielder Julien Faubert switch to the San Siro. Ex-Italy international Oddo is under contract at the San Siro until June 2011.
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Milan star prefers Italy stay to Hammers move
Sport.co.uk
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on:25 August 2009 - 11:06
AC Milan star Massimo Oddo has sensationally ruled out a move to England, or any form of temporary switch abroad. Talking to Italian newstation Sky Sport, Oddo revealed that he wanted to do what was best for his family in the final week of the transfer window. West Ham and Everton have been linked with a move for Oddo, however the 33 year-old defender is eager to stay in Italy. Oddo said: "The latest interest I received is from West Ham which has yet to be formalised as I was contacted by an agent and not by a club executive. "I have already had an experience on loan, which is not ideal for a player. "Hence, I don't want to go away and then come back to the same conditions as I was in the previous year. "I have to look not only at my interests but that of my family. "To go away for a year with young children and face a new culture doesn't seem the ideal situation."
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West Ham boss Zola in Italy for Diamanti talks
25.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola hopes to close a deal for Livorno attacking midfielder Alessandro Diamanti. The Mirror says Zola has flown out to Italy to complete a deal for Diamanti. Diamanti is so highly thought of at Upton Park that he is seen as a 'cross between Paolo Di Canio and Zola himself'. They believe Upton Park fans will take to the eccentric 26-year-old just as they took Di Canio to his hearts because of his skill and outlandish behaviour in equal measure. Diamanti's 17 goals helped Livorno return to the top division of Italian football last season. The player's performances even drew interest from Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan.
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West Ham convinced Chamakh still wants move
25.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United refuse to give up on Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh. The Mirror says Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is confident that Chamakh is moving to Upton Park.
It was believed yesterday that, following an interview given by Chamakh over the weekend, there was no chance whatsoever of the marksman joining West Ham. But last night Hammers chiefs remained adamant that not only was a deal in place - they have agreed a £7million fee with Bordeaux - but also that Chamakh is still very keen to join them.
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West Ham ready to sell Savio
25.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United are willing to listen to offers for Ugandan forward Savio. The Mirror says Hammers chiefs have doubts about his ability to cope with the physical nature of Premier League football. Savio only moved to West Ham in January.
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Oddo welcomes Hammers link
Tuesday 25 Aug 2009
AC Milan veteran Massimo Oddo has revealed that he could be moving to West Ham United before the transfer window closes in a week's time. The 33-year-old ex-Italy international, who has slipped out of the first-team picture at the San Siro and spent last season on loan with Bayern Munich, would welcome the chance to show off his talents in the Premier League.
MASSIMO ODDO Oddo said: "The latest interest I received is from West Ham which has yet to be formalised as I was contacted by an agent and not by a club executive. "I have already had an experience on loan, which is not ideal for a player. "Hence, I do not want to go away and then come back to the same conditions as I was in the previous year.
"I have to look not only at my interests but that of my family. "To go away for a year with young children and face a new culture doesn't seem the ideal situation."
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Fry denies Posh were on the verge of signing Davenport
PeterboroToday.co.uk
Published Date: 25 August 2009
BREAKING NEWS: Director of Football Barry Fry has denied suggestions in today's Daily Mail that Peterborough United had been on the verge of signing Calum Davenport from Premier League side West Ham. Davenport suffered stab wounds to his legs during an alleged assault at a Bedford address over the weekend. His career could now be in jeopardy. Fry, who conducts transfer negotiations at London Road, said: "I have no knowledge of any interest in Calum. He's a top player, but West Ham paid £3 million for him and his wages would be out of our range."
Former Posh Academy player Jack Collison played for West Ham against Spurs on Sunday without knowing that his father Ian, from Stevenage, had died in a motorcycle accident on his way to the game. Collison was at Posh as an 11 year-old before moving to Cambridge United and then to West Ham. He recently admitted that former Posh Academy Director Kit Carson was the biggest influence on his career.
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West Ham double tragedy shows some things really are more important than football
By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
Last modified 12:29 25/08/09
Suddenly the Carling Cup tie tonight against Millwall has been put firmly into perspective. Suddenly the West Ham family have been forced to close ranks and focus on doing what they do best - looking after their own. Twice in the last five days shock has struck at the very heart of Upton Park, first with the stabbing of defender Calum Davenport and on Sunday with the death of midfielder Jack Collison's father Ian. To compound the blow for Collison, he could not be told his dad's death until after he had played in the 2-1 defeat to Spurs because of the problems Essex police had in establishing his next of kin. Clearly, from the information seeping out from the Davenport family problems, the personal circumstances of both players are complicated - as complicated in fact as all of ours are behind the scenes. What is clear, however, is that one player may never play again (there are still concerns he may even lose a leg such is the severity of the artery damage). And the other? Well, he could be forgiven for struggling to find the mental strength to pull on a pair of boots again for some time. If there is a single crumb of comfort for both Davenport and Collison it is that they part of a strong, solid group at a club that will bend over backwards to give them the support they need to get through this. Before the tragedy had hit Collison he was among the West Ham players preparing to visit Davenport in hospital this week in a bid to lift the defender's spirits. The attack on Davenport had come just 24 hours after verbal agreements were put in place for a move to Peterborough where he was hoping to kick-start his career. Now both players are in a very different place. And no football fan anywhere in the country would wish them anything but the best at this most difficult of times. As for boss Gianfranco Zola? Well the fact that Collison has so far been one of several outstanding young prospects at Upton Park is down to the encouragement from Zola to realise his potential and the Italian's steadfast faith in him. The former Chelsea striker is seen very much as a father figure in a West Ham dressing room which included six academy players in total. But there is still a game to be won tonight. Indeed, the rivalry and emnity between the Irons and the Lions burns more deeply than between West Ham and any other club. And for many Claret and Blue fans the Carling Cup represents their best chance of silverware with the big boys' main interests elsewhere. And yet. Zola has still to comfort a defender whose livelihood looks to have been so brutally taken from him. And a midfielder, a young boy, shattered by the loss of his father. Some things really are more important than football.
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Agent backs West Ham's Faubert to make it at AC Milan
26.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
French agent Oscar Damiani says West Ham United wing-back Julien Faubert would be a great signing for AC Milan. Asked about Milan's interest, Damiani told TMW: "He's a very good player, physically strong, fast, but at Milan they know what to do and do not need my advice. "He could be a major player for any team."
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Barcelona willing to send Gudjohnsen on-loan to West Ham
26.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
Barcelona are willing to send Eidur Gudjohnsen on-loan to West Ham United. The Hammers do not have the funds available to meet Barca's £6 million asking price for the Iceland international and instead are seeking a loan agreement. Sport says Barca are willing to do business, so long as West Ham agree to cover the majority of Gudjohnsen's wages for the coming season.
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Birmingham chairman Gold considers £150M bid for West Ham
26.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
Birmingham City chairman David Gold is considering a bid for West Ham United. The Guardian says Gold is waiting to discover if there will be any role for him once Carson Yeung's takeover of Birmingham City is completed before deciding whether to move to buy West Ham, which could cost up to £150m in total. Gold, who is a fan of West Ham and played for their youth team, is thought to be open to helping Yeung make the transition from shareholder to sole owner – he has offered to buy every Birmingham share – which would lead to Gold and David Sullivan departing St Andrew's. If and when Gold leaves he will consider making an official approach to Upton Park – potentially assisted by Sullivan – though it is understood the 72-year-old businessman currently values West Ham below £150m. That valuation is made up of £100m required by Straumur and £50m to take on the club's working debt.
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Agent expects Fiorentina target Spector to stay with West Ham
26.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
The agent of Jonathan Spector has played down talk of a move to Fiorentina for the West Ham United fullback. Steve Kelly told TMW: "I read about this in the papers, however, at least personally, I have never been contacted by Fiorentina. "Are West Ham still counting on him or planning to sell him? Last year he played only nine games simply because he experienced a severe injury. But then he took part in the Confederations Cup. "Should he get an offer from Fiorentina or another club, it could be taken into consideration, but honestly I think it's a non-starter, taking into consideration the fact that the season has begun."
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