WHUFC.com
The Daily Star newspaper has published an apology in today's edition with regard to a report in May
21.07.2010
Today's issue of the Daily Star [Wednesday 21 July 2010] contained the following apology to West Ham United:-
"On May 5 2010, we said that we had obtained a document detailing the salaries of players and key managerial staff at West Ham.We are satisfied that the document was bogus and the published details contained a substantial number of inaccuracies. "We apologise to West Ham, the players and staff referred to in the article for any embarrassment we may have caused."
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Nouble up for Dutch test
WHUFC.com
Frank Nouble is ready to fire England U19s to a EURO 2010 victory over Netherlands
20.07.2010
Frank Nouble is planning to continue his perfect start to the UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals when England take on Netherlands on Tuesday.
The West Ham United striker plundered two excellent goals as Noel Blake's side defeated Austria 3-2 in their opening Group A fixture on Sunday, and is hungry to hit the target again against the Dutch. Netherlands lost their opening match 4-1 to hosts France on Sunday, but Nouble is still expecting Wim van Zwam's side to provide testing opposition. "The matches will get harder," the forward told whufc.com "We have Holland and France to come. It is just a case of trying our best to get another three points and then maybe think about the semi-finals, but we have to do the job first. It is about staying here as long as possible and showing we are a good side to everyone."
As you might expect for a squad that won their opening match, Nouble said team spirit within the England camp was excellent ahead of Tuesday's fixture at the Henry Jeanne stadium in Bayeux. With the game being screened live by British Eurosport, the 18-year-old said the players were conscious of their opportunity to impress the fans back home following the disappointment of this summer's FIFA World Cup. "It is a brilliant atmosphere. Everyone is up for it as well. We know there is a bit of coverage on us which is nice. We have been doing the business all year and regardless of how the senior side have done, we are just going to keep on doing what we do and sticking to the plan. We want to keep the winning mentality."
While Nouble is in action in France, his club-mates are enjoying a pre-season training camp in Germany. The striker might be out of sight, but he is certainly not out of the minds of his Hammers colleagues. "I am keeping in touch. I have been speaking to Anthony Edgar and some of the boys. They have been wishing me luck which is great and I know the club is behind me. "I was in a win-win situation this summer. If I went away I had a chance to play for my country and if I stayed behind I would get a chance to play for my club. All things have gone well and hopefully we can keep it going."
Wednesday's match will be screened live on British Eurosport, with kick-off at 5pm UK time. England complete their Group A fixtures when they face France at the Louis Villemer stadium in Saint-Lo on Saturday. Should they finish in the top two in their section, Blake's youngsters will face either Spain, Portugal, Croatia or Italy in the semi-finals.
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Squad getting stronger
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble and Thomas Hitzlsperger and the rest of the team are pushing themselves a little more every day
21.07.2010
The first-team squad got in gear for a punishing bike ride in the beautiful countryside surrounding their hotel in Bavaria on Wednesday morning. The squad was divided into three groups for the cycle challenge, which included time trials up a nearby hill. The first group of the morning included captain Matthew Upson, Scott Parker, Herita Ilunga and Julien Faubert. After the ride, the players took part in stretching exercises before jumping into the pool for another taxing session. The programme is very much about mixing the intensive football training out on the pitches under the supervision of Avram Grant, Paul Groves and Kevin Keen with a range of sports. As well as helping to test their fitness and protect different parts of the body, the activities are designed to keep the players' interest and enthusiasm up during a week-long stay on the German-Austrian border. The returning FIFA World Cup players - Upson, Robert Green, Jonathan Spector and Valon Behrami - have slotted in with ease, while new recruit Frederic Piquionne is focused on making his debut this Friday against Panathinaikos in Kitzbuhel. The striker has looked especially sharp in training. Other activities have included a sports quiz overseen by Kevin Keen, in which Kieron Dyer proved to be the sharpest sporting mind among the squad, and a head tennis/volleyball tournament which included particularly impressive displays from Alessandro Diamanti and Manuel da Costa.
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Green day in the gym
WHUFC.com
England goalkeeper Robert Green took part in a boxing workout as part of his pre-season schedule
20.07.2010
Robert Green is gearing up for another knockout season at West Ham United and is certainly ready to put in the hard work. At 8.30am on Tuesday, the England goalkeeper was to be found in the gym of the team hotel in Germany readying himself for a gruelling boxing routine with coach David Coles. It came after a couple of ball sessions out on the practice pitches the previous day - his first since arriving back with the squad after the summer.
Coles had begun by joining Green for an intensive burst on a cross-trainer as the rest of the hotel guest slowly got going in the summer sunshine. While many were just drinking their first cup of coffee of the day, Green was put through a rigourous hour-long session that involved working on a punch bag, sparring, shadow boxing and skipping. The routines were all repeated three times and there was no let-up - save for a bit of conversation with Radoslav Kovac as he worked out nearby. Green is renowned as being one of the fittest players at the club and his 126 consecutive Barclays Premier League starts is certainly testament to his conditioning. It is not just the No1 who is being put through his paces in Bavaria, though. Coles has been keen to mix up the work for all the club's goalkeepers, with swimming and tennis also integrated into their full football schedule. Coles said: "It is about doing something that is different. I like to keep them fresh mentally and physically. It is a stimulus and the fitness relates to goalkeeping in terms of explosive movements and certainly the footwork and handling. "It is also good for his upper body in terms of punching and coming for crosses, making saves and parries. Boxing is a fantastic fitness tool. The session was an hour long and even the shadow boxing was hard. He has to use his feet which is relevant to the game situation. Pre-season is about building up over a period of time to get ready for the matches. Rob is in very good condition.He has done fantastically well, he looks after himself. It is going to be a quick way back to full fitness."
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Clerc eyes English move
Hammers keen on Frenchman
Last updated: 21st July 2010
SSN
Skysports.com understands French defender Francois Clerc is hoping to win a move to the Premier League. Clerc is available on a free transfer after seeing out his contract at Lyon earlier this summer. A number of clubs are thought to be chasing the French international and Clerc is now weighing up his options as he looks to secure a switch to England. West Ham have been credited with an interest in the right-back and the player's agent Frederic Guerra, admits he has spoken with several sides about Clerc's situation. "I have spoken to three or four teams about Francois and West Ham are one of those teams," Guerra told skysports.com. "After speaking to these teams I am now waiting for their responses. "There has been a strong interest in Francois as he is a free agent and he is one of the best free transfers around as he has played for France and played in the Champions League. "Francois likes England and I think he would be a success in England so hopefully we can find an agreement."
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Hammers move for Argentine
Caraglio close to Upton Park switch
Last updated: 21st July 2010
SSN
West Ham are closing in on the signing of Argentine striker Milton Caraglio, skysports.com understands. The Hammers have turned their attentions to the Rosario Central hit-man as they look to bolster their attacking options. Caraglio has been called up to the Argentinanational team in the past, but saw injury prevent him from making his international debut. West Ham have been frustrated in their attempts to bring in a new striker this summer, with a number of Premier League sides hoping to beat them to the signing of Nice ace Loic Remy. Caraglio has now come onto West Ham's radar and the London outfit are believed to have agreed a fee in the region of £5million for the 22-year-old. Caraglio is also thought to have agreed personal terms on his switch to Upton Park and is awaiting the necessary paperwork before making the move to England.
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Villa's setback in Scott Parker chase
Daily Express & Star
Wednesday 21st July 2010, 10:57AM BST.
Villa's pre-season signing plans have suffered a serious setback today after West Ham slammed the door shut on selling midfielder Scott Parker. Hammers co-owner David Sullivan today ruled out the midfielder's exit, claiming Villa would not have enough money to force him to the negotiating table. It has been widely accepted that Parker, fresh from one of the best seasons of his career in leading West Ham to safety, was the man Villa boss Martin O"Neill saw as the ideal replacement for James Milner. But even though Milner is expected to fetch a fee in excess of £20million from Manchester City, Sullivan does not believe Villa will have the money to tempt West Ham. Sullivan said today: "The situation with Parker has not changed. Villa will not have enough money to tempt us to sell Scott. "He really is not for sale."
Sullivan's comments are the latest in a confusing series of signals from Upton Park, but suggest that the Hammers' £10million-plus valuation of their captain effectively rules him out for Villa. Their pursuit of Parker has been a sensitive issue at Upton Park, with him appearing to be the exception to the owners' end-of-season rule that their entire squad was effectively up for sale. But Sullivan's partner David Gold then appeared to suggest otherwise in an interview two weeks ago, openly discussing the prospect of selling the club's star player if the price was right. Sullivan's comments to the London media today now suggest another about-turn – simply because Villa will not have the financial clout to do a deal. Money is a problem for O'Neill this summer, after owner Randy Lerner tightened the purse strings. Only the sale of Milner gives him any real funds for replenishing a squad which, led up front by Thirtysomethings John Carew and Emile Heskey, is now in need of new blood. The manager can also spend what he raises from the sale of players isolated on the fringes of his selections, but so far only Steve Sidwell's impending £3million sale to Fulham is anywhere near completion. Having Parker removed from his calculations will be another setback for the Villa boss, even as he parks the Robbie Keane transfer from Spurs on the sidelines while he awaits an outcome to the Milner episode.
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Ajax striker Miralem Sulejmani slams Martin Jol for blocking West Ham United loan move
Serbian attacker unhappy with decision to turn down Hammers' offer...
By Stefan Coerts
21 Jul 2010 13:15:00
Goal.com
Young Ajax attacker Miralem Sulejmani is far from happy with head coach Martin Jol's decision to turn down a one-year loan move from Premier League outfit West Ham United for the Serbian international. The tricky forward had already agreed personal terms with the Hammers, but Jol vetoed the move, claiming that Sulejmani is an important first team player for the Amsterdam side. "I really don't understand why Jol has vetoed the move. It looks like he's trying to ruin my career. I was looking forward to relaunching my career at West Ham. Their manager sees me as a big talent and I'm keen to make a fresh start elsewhere," Sulejmani was quoted as saying by AD. Sulejmani joined Ajax from Heerenveen in the summer of 2008 for a fee of €16.25 million, but the 21-year-old has so far failed to live up to the high expectations in the Amsterdam ArenA. He has mainly been warming the bench under Jol. The Serbian youngster claims that Ajax had promised him that he could leave the Amsterdam titans if an interested club made an offer for him.
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Arsenal rival West Ham for Remy signature
ESPN Soccernet staff
July 21, 2010
West Ham have upped their bid for Loic Remy, dubbed the new Thierry Henry, to £13 million and made their payment structure more attractive - but they now face competition from Arsenal. Arsene Wenger is keen to bring the Nice striker to Emirates Stadium, just as he brought Henry to Highbury, and would be favourite to pull off a deal providing the Gunners match or better the bid from West Ham. Liverpool and Spurs have been tracking Remy for a while, but the Nice star would prefer to team up with compatriot Wenger at Arsenal. The battle has intensified since the Hammers became the first club to enter the bidding process. Liverpool have fallen short of even the Hammers' opening bids, while the price is becoming too rich for Spurs, leaving Arsenal able to nip in and beat West Ham to a deal, if they wish to. "On Tuesday we received a new proposal from West Ham, for a full payment in cash," Nice chief executive Partick Governatori told L'Equipe. "If Liverpool want to sign Loic, we need clear rules and commitments from them. But West Ham are hot for the player and we want to complete the transfer before the end of the month."
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Hammers could Kop Remy
The Sun
Published: Today
WEST HAM have made an improved offer for Nice frontman Loic Remy — but the French club want Liverpool to make a bid as well. Hammers boss Avram Grant has seen a number of offers for the striker rejected this summer, with Nice haggling over how much money is paid up front. But while a deal is now on the table that suits both parties, Nice chief executive Partick Governatori has opened the door for Liverpool to get involved. He said: "We've received a new proposal from West Ham which meets all our rules. "If Liverpool want Remy, we need a proposal from them which meets the rules." Remy, 23, hit 14 goals in 34 games for the Ligue 1 outfit last season.
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Former Birmingham loanee Benitez signs new deal in Mexico
Published 10:04 21/07/10 By James Nursey
The Mirror
Ecuador striker Christian Benitez has signed a new contract at his Mexican club Santos Laguna. Striker Benitez, 24, returned to South America this summer after only scoring four goals on loan at Birmingham. Premier League Brum decided against signing Benitez for a pre-agreed £6.5million. But both Sunderland and West Ham were interested in taking the forward on loan again this season. Now those hopes appear slim after Benitez penned a new three-year deal with Santos Laguna. They could yet send him out on loan in return for a lucrative payment. But Mirrorsport revealed earlier this summer Benitez twice failed his English test for a new UK work permit.
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West Ham set to beat Liverpool to Loic Remy
Published 11:06 21/07/10 By Martin Lipton
The Mirror
West Ham boss Avram Grant is poised to beat Liverpool to the signing of Nice striker Loic Remy. New Anfield chief Roy Hodgson wants the 23-year-old France frontman to bolster his ranks in the wake of the capture of Joe Cole and skipper Steven Gerrard's commitment to the Merseysiders. But despite Liverpool's interest, West Ham appear in the box seat to sign the player after Nice sporting director Patrick Governatori said the Ligue 1 club is prepared to accept an improved £11.3million bid from the Upton Park outfit. Governatori said: "On Tuesday we received a new proposal from West Ham, for a full payment in cash.
"If Liverpool want to sign Loic, we need clear rules and commitments from them. But West Ham are hot for the player and we want to complete the transfer before the end of the month."
Remy is now expected to join the Hammers after a farewell appearance for Nice in this evening's friendly with Grenoble.
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Hammers eye World Cup goalkeeper
Newham Recorder
21 July 2010
WEST HAM manager Avram grant is running the rule over Algerian World Cup keeper Rais M'Bolhi as they look to strengthen his squad in preparation for the new season. The 24-year-old, who played for Slavia Sofia last season, joined up with the Hammers at their training camp in Germany at the start of the week and has impressed the West Ham coaching staff. M'Bolhi was called into the Algerian team for the game against England at the World Cup, keeping his place for their final group game against the United States. A Marseille youth player, he represented France at under-16 and under-17 level, before opting to play for the north African side. The Hammers have also been looking at former Austria Vienna goalkeeper Lukas Konigshofer this week, but it seems that the Algerian has impressed them most. West Ham will decide whether to sign M'Bolhi at the end of the week, but it appears likely that he will be a back-up to Robert Green.
The England keeper's future is still up in the air, but Grant went on record last week to stress that he is still the Hammers' number one and that he had a very positive chat with him on the phone.
West Ham's international players flew into Germany on Sunday night and will hope to play some part in Friday night's friendly clash with Panathinaikos. One thing still unclear though is the future of skipper Matty Upson and with it the destiny of Portsmouth defender Tel Ben-Haim for next season. The Israeli defender was all set for a medical last Friday, and Pompey were keen to get the player off their books, but it appears to have been delayed, with the Hammers still waiting on a decision from Upson about his future at the club. The Hammers return from their German pre-season camp at the weekend.
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Hammers home in on Lyon stopper
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on:21 July 2010 - 11:51
Sport.co.uk
West Ham United are set to sign former Lyon right-back Francois Clerc on a free transfer, according to reports in the French press. The Hammers, who were yesterday tipped to swoop for Saint Etienne centre-back Yohan Benalouane, appear determined to add to their defensive options at Upton Park with Avram Grant worried about the reliance on Matthew Upson and James Tomkins. Clerc has played 13 times for France having spent the best part of a decade plying his trade at the Stade Gerland. An experienced operator he has also been linked with a move to AC Milan.
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Aussies support West Ham Olympic stadium move
22.07.10 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United's new stadium move has received a major boost. The Guardian says West Ham's bid to move into the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 games received a boost today after the company behind the huge shopping centre that will dominate the entrance to the site said it would back the idea.
There had been speculation that Westfield, the Australian company behind the 1.9m square foot Stratford City shopping centre that is seen as a key part of the bid to leave a legacy for east London, did not approve of the idea of West Ham taking over. But appearing yesterday before the Economic Development, Culture, Sport and Tourism Committee, Westfield's Stratford City director, John Burton, said it was already working with West Ham and Newham Council on their plans. "Clearly there are statements saying we are opposed to West Ham and that is simply not correct," Burton said. "We will work with West Ham or anyone else for that matter in the delivery of a further use. The only criteria we would put around that is, given our role around access, that we have regular communication and co‑ordination to deal with any organisational issues." "We're well-experienced in it, we simply want the opportunity to work with whoever the operator might be. We have had discussions with Newham and the West Ham group about how to take that forward."
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Sullivan: Villa can't afford Parker
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on:21 July 2010 - 02:10 PM
Sport.co.uk
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has told Aston Villa to forget about signing midfielder Scott Parker ahead of the new season. The Midlands club are reported to have made a tentative enquiry should they be forced to sign a new midfielder if Manchester City transfer target James Milner leaves Villa Park this summer.
However, Sullivan claims that Villa would not have enough financial muscle to persuade him to sell the 29-year-old England international. Parker was one of few Hammers players who impressed during a difficult last season which almost ended in relegation from the Premier League. "The situation with Parker has not changed," said Sullivan. "Villa will not have enough money to tempt us to sell Scott. "He really is not for sale."
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