WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola is hopeful of having Carlton Cole back to lead the line
before the end of the month
10.01.2010
Gianfranco Zola is looking forward to welcoming back Carlton Cole with the
England striker's return from injury said to be going well. The 26-year-old
has been out of action since injuring his knee in the 5-3 victory over
Burnley on 28 November, but Zola revealed the club's top-scorer could be
back with the squad later this month. He has been stepping up his recovery
programme, and has been out on the Chadwell Heath pitches in recent days.
"His recovery is vital," said Zola, with Guillermo Franco suffering a muscle
injury in training that looks set to keep him out for the next couple of
matches. "He is such an important player, not only in terms of goals and
what he gives to the team, but it would be a big boost for the others. I
look forward to seeing him playing soon with us." "They're talking about
towards the end of the month but we'll see. We're not putting pressure on
him. We want him, when he comes back, to be fit for the whole season and for
the World Cup, hopefully."
Another matter occupying Zola's thoughts is possible arrivals during the
January transfer window. However, the manager had been keen to stress his
sole focus this week was securing victory over Wolves until the match was
called off due to health and safety concerns. "We are looking for something
but I don't want to talk too much about it. We'll see what happens."
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Franco out until February
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 10th January 2010
By: Staff Writer
Mexican international Guillermo Franco will be sidelined for around three to
four weeks after sustaining a muscle injury. The 33-year-old striker, who
has been deputising for the injured Carlton Cole in recent weeks missed last
weekend's FA Cup clash with Arsenal through suspension but had hoped to be
back for today's aborted Premier League clash with Wolves. Rumours
suggesting that Franco had broken a leg in training spread like wildfire
earlier in the week. But whilst they have proven to be wide of the mark,
this latest injury leaves Gianfranco Zola with a major headache ahead of
West Ham's next outing against Aston Villa. With Franco like to be out until
early February and Carlton Cole unlikely to be available until the following
fixture at Portsmouth, Zola will have the option of going with young guns
Frank Nouble or Freddie Sears, recently returned from a shortened loan spell
at Crystal Palace, when they travel to Villa Park. Franco, who would have
been unavailable for today's game with Wolves - meaning that manager
Gianfranco Zola would have gone into the match with no recognised first team
striker, as was the case for the 2-1 defeat against Arsenal - has been in
fine form of late, and has scored three times thus far this season.
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No Behrami offers
Swiss star happy with Hammers
Last updated: 10th January 2010
SSN
There are no offers for Valon Behrami to leave West Ham United, his agent
has confirmed. Renewed speculation has claimed that a host of clubs are
ready to try and prise the Swiss international from Upton Park. Reports
claimed that Manchester United were ready to bid £10million for the
midfielder. Arsenal, Manchester City and Juventus are also said to be keen -
but this has now been denied. Alessandro Beltrami has told Sky Sports News
that no offers are on the table for the former Lazio man and he is more than
happy to stay with West Ham.
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Zola plans striker swoop
Franco injury leaves Hammers short of options
Last updated: 10th January 2010
SSN
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is poised to dip into the transfer market this
month after Guillermo Franco's injury blow. Franco, 33, is facing the rest
of the month on the sidelines after a suffering a muscular complaint in
training, leaving Zola short of options. Carlton Cole is not expected back
until later in January following his absence with a knee problem, with the
Hammers keen to bring in reinforcements. Nuno Gomes, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Aston
Villa's former Hammers striker Marlon Harewood and Stoke targetman James
Beattie have all been suggested as possible targets to help Zola's bid to
avoid relegation this season. The better news for the Italian is players
returning from injury, with Scott Parker, Mark Noble, Jack Collison and
Danny Gabbidon among those in the frame for next weekend's trip to Aston
Villa. The club could also make an announcement this week on how talks are
progressing over a takeover. Icelandic bank Straumur, the club's owners,
continue negotiations over a potential sale. David Gold and David Sullivan
are said to be in the race along with Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes
and the InterMarket Group.
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West Ham suitors meet lending banks in ownership talks today
Club's five main lenders to sound out investors
New owners could be in place next week
Stuart James guardian.co.uk, Monday 11 January 2010
West Ham United may have new owners as soon as next week, with the club keen
to capitalise on the January transfer window. The ownership saga at West Ham
United is expected to become clearer after today, when representatives of
the consortium of five banks that have loaned money to the Premier League
club meet prospective buyers to establish their credentials.
David Sullivan and David Gold, the former Birmingham City owners, and
associates of the Malaysian businessman Tony Fernandes are due to hold talks
with Rothschild, the investment bank that was appointed in October to sound
out potential investors, together with representatives from Glitnir,
Standard Bank, Lloyds, Royal Bank of Scotland and Straumur, West Ham's five
main lenders.
Although the Canary Wharf-based Intermarket Group and an unnamed North
American have also been strongly linked with a takeover approach, there is
no indication that either will be present today, when the interested parties
will make presentations and outline their plans to support their submitted
bids.
It is understood that Fernandes, who is a lifelong West Ham supporter, will
be absent because he is not due in England until tomorrow, although his
representatives will hold talks on his behalf this morning. Sullivan and
Gold are both expected to meet the banks and are known to favour an
agreement that would see them buy a 50%stake in the club, effectively
becoming strategic partners but, crucially, having ultimate control when it
comes to decision-making.
The involvement of the banks in the takeover process is crucial. Through the
club's banking covenants they have the power of veto of any change of
ownership, highlighting the significance of today's events. Should either or
both of the parties be approved, the next stage of the process is likely to
involve further talks with Straumur, in their capacity as the largest
shareholder in CB Holdings, the company set up by the creditors of West
Ham's former owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson.
CB holdings have said there is no pressure to sell, although West Ham
supporters might argue otherwise. The club is languishing in the lower
reaches of the Premier League, only above the relegation zone because of a
superior goal difference, and face the prospect of losing rather than
signing star players under the current regime. Scott Parker and Matthew
Upson are both expected to attract bids from rival Premier League clubs this
month.
Should either Fernandes or Sullivan and Gold be successful, it is possible
they could be in place as early as next week, with the speed at which things
can happen regarded as crucial because of the January transfer window. For
that to happen, however, Straumur would almost certainly need to reduce
their asking price, with the Icelandic investment bank believed to value the
club at around £100m.
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Rival bidders look to seal £100m West Ham deal
Monday, 11 January 2010
BelfastTelegraph.co.uk
West Ham's Icelandic owners look set to sell the club by the end of the
month, with at least two rival bidders "at an advanced stage of the due
diligence process". A source familiar with the situation added that
"negotiations are ongoing with more than one group" but said "things could
be wrapped up within seven to 10 days". One bidding group comprises the
former Birmingham City owners, David Sullivan and David Gold. A second bid
is from a London finance company, Intermarket. It has also been suggested in
banking circles that a third bid could yet emerge from Tony Fernandes, the
Malaysian businessman behind Air Asia, former sponsors of Manchester United.
Fernandes himself said last month that no bid is planned. West Ham's
chairman, Andrew Bernhardt, has consistently claimed that the company which
owns the Hammers, CB Holding, does not need to sell, and there is a
sustainable business plan if it doesn't sell. Other sources say the dire
financial situation could force the sales of players this month to balance
the books unless the club is sold or fresh capital is otherwise injected. It
would make sense for CB Holding to get out now for business reasons if they
think there is any possibility of the club being relegated. It is obvious
the firm has no capital to invest, or no will to invest any, and if West Ham
go down, an asset worth millions in the Premier League would become a
liability in danger of administration, little better than a write-off.
Sullivan and Gold want 50 per cent of West Ham – and a guarantee of
effective control – in exchange for around £50m investment, much of which
they stipulate should be spent on buying some players and the most urgent
football debts. They have increased an earlier offer.
CB Holding is owned by a bank, Straumur, which is owed a chunk of the club's
£40m bank debts. On top of that, West Ham have £30m of other liabilities
including £19m which is still owed to Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez
affair. It is understood that Intermarket have tabled an offer of around
£100m for the whole club, but the structure of their deal is not known.
"There will be a deal with someone within a month," a source said. Gold and
Sullivan sold Birmingham last year for £82m, having bought it 16 years ago
for £1 and transformed its fortunes; they laid the foundation for Blues'
current progress. If the pair fail with their West Ham bid, they will target
Charlton then Crystal Palace, in that order.
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#7 Take a Leaf Out of Greenwood's Book!
West Ham Till I Die
There was a story in the sports press yeterday that Manchester Utd were
weighing up a potential £10m bid for Valon Behrami. Personally I do not
think that it is likely, Man Utd very sensibly avoid doing major business in
January. If there is any genuine interest it will probably be pursued in
the summer. Regardless, the club should not even consider a bid for Behrami
from Manchester Utd or any other suitors, he is far too important a player
to lose.
Thankfully, Behrami's agent has now publicly confirmed that there are no
concrete enquiries and that the player is very happy to stay with West Ham!
Hopefully, if the club do get new owners, then one of their priorities will
be to ensure that Behrami is offered an attractive contract extension. If
they are ambitious then they need to do everything possible to retain a
class act like Behrami.
The news item did, however, make me recall a story that I once read about
the way that Ron Greenwood famously dealt with an unwanted transfer approach
from Manchester Utd. In 1967, Sir Matt Busby allegedly sent Greenwood a
written offer of £200,000 for Geoff Hurst. That was a massive sum in those
days, especially when you consider that it was not until 1970, some three
years later, that West Ham accepted a record £200,000 record bid for Martin
Peters!
Anyways, Greenwood's reply was short, emphatic and left no room for further
manoeuvre. He scribbled a one word reply, 'no,' and sent it back to Sir
Matt!
We now live in very different times I know, but the story always makes me
smile!
SJ. Chandos.
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West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola rues loss of striker Guillermo
Franco
Daily Mail
By Daniel King, Mail on Sunday Sports News Correspondent Last updated at
1:24 AM on 11th January 2010
Gianfranco Zola's bid to guide West Ham clear of the relegation places
suffered a major blow when one of his key strikers, Guillermo Franco, was
injured in training. Zola could have money to spend this month after all if
one or more of the three remaining bidders for the Premier League club prove
this week they have the money to complete a takeover. And the priority must
be a striker after Mexican international Franco broke down to leave Zola
chronically short of firepower. West Ham have seen Dean Ashton retire
through injury and leading scorer Carlton Cole and Luis Boa Morte sidelined
for months with knee injuries. Kieron Dyer is also out with a hamstring
injury. At least the weather has given them another week off before next
Sunday's trip to Aston Villa and Zola will be confident that Scott Parker,
Herita Ilunga, Jack Collison and Mark Noble will all be available after
shaking off knocks. Well-placed sources believe a takeover will move a
significant step closer this week. American-backed group Intermarket are
favourites but should they not have the funds, the most likely outcome would
be former Birmingham owners David Gold and David Sullivan taking control.
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GIANFRANCO ZOLA ROLLS OUT WELCOME FOR MATTEO CONTINI
Daily Star
10th January 2010 By Steve Morgan
WEST Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is planning a loan move for Napoli defender
Matteo Contini. Zola wants the defensive hardman to shore up his back-line
and is keen on taking him on a six-month deal. Contini, 29, has been a
regular in Napoli's defence for the past two seasons but has fallen out of
favour this term. He previously spent three years at Parma where he made 82
appearances in Serie A. Zola is also interested in keeper Fernando Rubinho,
27, who has been made available by Palermo after failing to make an
impression since his summer arrival from Genoa. But the Hammers could face
competition from Fulham for Rubinho, who represented Brazil in the 2001
World Youth Championship. Meanwhile, Zola last night admitted that the
Hammers' future now lies in the lap of the gods – and he should have a good
idea what they've decided by the end of this month. The big freeze, must-win
games against relegation rivals and a potential takeover of the club could
all have a hand in their fate. Zola said: "I remember it snowing before but
not as much as this and of course it has affected us. "We can't prepare the
games or train properly because we have problems with the training ground.
"The takeover could be vital for our future but it is something I can do
nothing about. "But complaining about the situation won't help. We just need
to get on with things."
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FERGUSON IS BEHRAMI HUNTER
Daily Star
10th January 2010 By Steve Millar
MANCHESTER United have jumped ahead of the elite pack chasing West Ham's
Switzerland winger Valon Behrami. And although United boss Sir Alex Ferguson
is reluctant to splash out in the transfer window, he's likely to make an
exception in Behrami's case. Behrami, who joined the Hammers 18 months ago
from Lazio for £5million, can give Ferguson the drive in midfield he's been
desperate to find for so much of the season. And the added bonus is that
Behrami, 24 can also play right-back as he's proved in the past for the
Hammers. It will take a £10m-plus cheque to tempt hard-up West Ham to part
with one of their most talented players. Arsenal and Juventus, who have
followed the player since his move from Serie A, are also interested.
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