Saturday, July 17

Daily WHUFC News - II 17th July 2010

Borussia Monchengladbach match preview
WHUFC.com
All the information and early team news ahead of Saturday's friendly in
Germany
16.07.2010

Pre-season friendly
VfL Borussia Monchengladbach v West Ham United
Waldstadion, Ruhpolding, Germany
Saturday 17 July 2010
Kick-off: 6.30pm

Introduction
. West Ham United will take on Bundesliga side VfL Borussia Monchengladbach
in their second pre-season friendly in Germany on Saturday evening.
. Avram Grant's Hammers will face Borussia at the Waldstadion home of
lower-league club SV Ruhpolding, with kick-off at 6.30pm local time.
. The match will be the first of two contested by West Ham during their
pre-season training camp in Germany. A second match has been arranged, with
the Hammers facing Greek champions Panathinaikos just across the border in
Austria in Kitzbuhel on Friday 23 July.

Last meeting
. West Ham United have never met Borussia Monchengladbach before.

Last time out
Wednesday 14 July 2010
Pre-season friendly
Peterborough United - West Ham United
West Ham United: Kurucz, Faubert (Spence 46), Da Costa (Tomkins 46),
Gabbidon (Fry 46), Brown (Ilunga 46, McNaughton 75), Noble (Dyer 46, Abdulla
75), Kovac (Lee 46, Eyjolfsson 82), Hitzlsperger (Edgar 46), Boa Morte
(Sears 46), Stanislas (Montano 46), Cole (McCarthy 46)
Sub not used: Stech
Goals: Cole 13, Edgar 65

Tuesday 13 July 2010
Pre-season friendly
EVV Echt 2-1 Borussia Monchengladbach
Borussia Monchengladbach: Bailly, Jaures (Wissing 46), Brouwers (Daems 46),
Dante (Heubach 46), Jantschke (Levels 46), Neustadter (Dowidat 46), Alberman
(Meeuwis 46), Arango (Marx 46), Herrmann (Korb 35), Backer (Bobadilla 46),
Hesse (Reus (46)
Goals: Dante 30

West Ham United

. West Ham United will be seeking to make a positive start under new manager
Avram Grant, having ended last season in 17th place in the Barclays Premier
League table.
. West Ham will continue their pre-season training camp with a fixture
against Greek champions Panathinaikos just across the border in Austria in
Kitzbuhel on Friday 23 July.
. The Hammers began their pre-season schedule with a 2-1 victory at League
One side Peterborough United on Wednesday evening. Grant used 24 players at
London Road, handing a debut to new signing Thomas Hitzlsperger. Goals
either side of half-time from Carlton Cole and Anthony Edgar were enough to
give the new manager a successful start to his reign.
. Young professionals Matt Fry, Olly Lee and Edgar have all signed new
contracts with the club and will hope to impress the new manager this
season. Defender Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson will also be eager to push on after
spending the second half of last season on loan at Belgian side KSV
Roeselare.
. A number of players have departed from West Ham since the end of the
2009/10 season. Josh Payne, Bondz N'Gala, Ilan, Guille Franco, Davide
Ferrari, Danny Kearns, Terry Dixon and Tony Brookes have all departed after
their respective contracts expired, while Mido's short-term loan from
Middlesbrough was not renewed.
. Grant's side will kick-off their Premier League campaign with a trip to
Aston Villa on Saturday 14 August.

Borussia Monchengladbach

. Borussia Monchengladbach finished the 2009/10 Bundesliga season in 12th
place, having gathered 39 points from 34 matches.
. Borussia are coached by former Borussia Monchengladbach, VfB Stuttgart,
Manchester City and Germany defender Michael Frontzeck. The 46-year-old took
charge at Borussia-Park in June 2009.
. The club won five Bundesliga titles in the space of eight seasons between
1969/70 and 1976/77. During the so-called 'Golden Decade' in the club's
history, Borussia also reached the European Cup final in 1977, losing to
Liverpool, won the UEFA Cup in both 1975 and 1979 and also reached the UEFA
Cup final twice more. During their 1970s heyday, Borussia also achieved a
Bundesliga record 12-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in April 1978.
. Borussia made a fine start to their own pre-season schedule, defeating
local league sides FC Ottenstein (9-0), SV Bergisch Gladbach 09 (4-0) and
Wegberg-Beeck (5-0) without conceding a goal.
. On Tuesday evening, Borussia took on Dutch outfit EVV Echt and were beaten
2-1. Brazilian defender Dante scored the German side's goal.
. Borussia had two representatives at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South
Africa, both of whom faced England. Michael Bradley was an ever-present in
the United States midfield in their four matches, while attacker Karim
Matmour started all three of Algeria's Group C fixtures. New signing Mo
Idrissou was also a member of the Cameroon squad before joining Borussia
earlier this month.
. Former Tottenham Hotspur full-back Paul Stalteri, who scored the dramatic
late winner in Spurs' 4-3 Premier League win at the Boleyn Ground in March
2007 - a result that sparked the Hammers' 'Great Escape' from relegation -
is also a member of the Borussia squad.
. Borussia have signed Cameroon forward Mo Idrissou from Bundesliga rivals
SC Freiburg. The 30-year-old appeared in all three of his country's
group-stage fixtures at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
. Frontzeck's side will begin their Bundesliga campaign with a home match
against 1. FC Nurnberg on the weekend of 21/22 August.

Team news
. West Ham United will be without their four representatives at the 2010
FIFA World Cup - England's Robert Green and Matthew Upson, Switzerland's
Valon Behrami and the United States' Jonathan Spector - as well as Scott
Parker, who returned to training this week after spending the early part of
his summer with England's provisional World Cup squad. Frederic Piquionne
will also not play after joining up with the squad for training on Saturday.
. Fabio Daprela could figure after missing Wednesday's trip to Peterborough
United with a twisted ankle suffered in training.
. Jack Collison and Young Hammer of the Year Zavon Hines will be unavailable
as both continue their recovery from long-term knee injuries.
. Thomas Hitzlsperger will be on familiar ground, as the German spent the
past five years at VfB Stuttgart before a brief stay with S.S. Lazio earlier
this year.
. Frank Nouble will also be absent due to his commitments with England at
the UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals in France, starting with
Sunday's game against Austria.
. Borussia could include new signing Mo Idrissou after the Cameroon
international forward completed a move from Bundesliga rivals SC Freiburg.
General information
. The weather forecast is for a sunny day with a top temperature of around
27C.

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Manager speaks on WHUTV
WHUFC.com
Check out WHUTV now to see the manager's thoughts on new recruits Pablo
Barrera and Frederic Piquionne
17.07.2010
Avram Grant has given his first thoughts on new recruits Frederic Piquionne
and Pablo Barrera exclusively to WHUTV. Piquionne arrived in the early hours
of the morning before joining his new team-mates out on the training pitch
for a light session at 10am. He shook hands with everyone before the players
began with some ball work games where the squad were divided into two
groups. With two players at a time taking turns to be in the middle, the aim
was to do one-touch passing while keeping the ball away from them. Whoever
messed up then had to take their turn being in the centre. There was plenty
of banter as the pace quickened, while coaches Paul Groves and Kevin Keen
also got involved. After about 30 minutes, the players then went through
some stretching drills before Piquionne and Scott Parker - who only began
his pre-season work this week - were taken on a run around the grounds. The
others were free to go for a light lunch ahead of a couple hours' rest but a
few chose to stay out on the pitch for a little while longer - not least
Alessandro Diamanti and Thomas Hitzlsperger, with the two left-footers
whacking precision passes back and forth to each other across the pitch.

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England boss slates Rob Green in controversial Capello Index
Published 12:13 17/07/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

Fabio Capello has finally launched his controversial player rating system
the Capello Index - and the results won't make pleasant reading for
England's World Cup flops. The system awards players points in various
technical categories to come up with an overall rating out of 100. Jermain
Defoe was judged to have been England's top performer, with a score of
62.47, while blunder keeper Rob Green was the worst, earning a rating of
just 51.67. Capello judged Diego Forlan to be the player of the World Cup,
awarding the Uruguayan an average score of 65.77 for the tournament. The
England manager had originally planned to publish his player ratings live
throughout the World Cup - until he was convinced by the FA that that might
not actually be a very good idea .

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West Ham trials for Rapid Vienna keeper Lukas Konigshofer
17.07.10 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United boss Avram Grant is taking a look at a new goalkeeper. West
Ham are giving a trial to Rapid Vienna goalkeeper Lukas Konigshofer, 21.
Grant has insisted this week that he is counting on Robert Green to be his
No1 this season.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 17th July 2010

Weekend work in Germany
WHUFC.com
Avram Grant and his squad are settling in to their training camp after
travelling out from London
17.07.2010

West Ham United are hard at work in Germany this weekend after a day of
travelling and settling in at their picturesque training camp in Bavaria.
The squad headed out from Heathrow on Friday morning with Scott Parker in
tow after his return from an extended break because of his England
exertions. The party arrived in Munich early in the afternoon where they
were met as they walked into the arrivals lounge by Alessandro Diamanti. The
forward had been back in Italy for a few days with his wife on paternity
leave.

As well as the regular members of the first-team squad, the party was also
boosted by the presence of Matthew Fry, Cristian Montano and Anthony Edgar -
who had all figured in the 2-1 win at Peterborough United on Wednesday. Once
some typical Friday afternoon traffic had been negotiated, the Hammers
pulled into their training base and were almost immediately ready to go.

The squad all had a light meal before reconvening on the excellent training
pitch adjoined to the hotel. The early part of the session saw them
loosening up after the flight before but it was not long before the
intensity picked up, despite the early evening temperature remaining in the
mid 30s. Paul Groves and Kevin Keen were barking out the orders in constant
consultation with the manager as David Coles put Marek Stech and Peter
Kurucz through their paces.

Robert Green will arrive on Monday along with fellow World Cup performers
Jonathan Spector, Mathew Upson and Valon Behrami. Meanwhile, new French
striker Frederic Piquionne touched down in Munich overnight and was due to
meet his new team-mates later on Saturday. Pablo Barrera has gone back to
Mexico for a couple of days but news of his transfer was also well received.

Watch out later today on WHUTV for the first thoughts of manager Avram Grant
on his new recruits while our cameras will also catch up with all the other
behind the scenes news and views. The squad travel to Ruhpolding this
evening for the first friendly match of the German camp - against VfL
Borussia Monchengladbach.
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West Ham sign Pablo Barrera and Frederic Piquionne
BBC.co.uk

West Ham manager Avram Grant has strengthened his attack with the signings
of Mexico winger Pablo Barrera and Lyon striker Frederic Piquionne. Barrera,
23, arrives for a fee of £4m on a four-year deal from UNAM Pumas after
impressing during the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. Piquionne, who
played for Grant on loan at Portsmouth last season, has signed a three-year
contract at Upton Park. West Ham have promised more signings over the next
three days.
Barrera made three substitute appearances for Mexico at the World Cup as
they advanced to the second round. The pacy wideman, who featured against
England in Mexico's 3-1 defeat in May, is nicknamed 'Dynamite' in his
homeland. "I have been really taken by the reception I have received from
the players and the manager," he said. "The fans can expect that I will give
100% to succeed for the team and to play better than I have ever played
before." France international Piquionne said: "I'm coming to work hard for
the squad and I hope we have a good season." Barrera and Piquionne are
Grant's second and third signings after Germany midfielder Thomas
Hitzlsperger arrived on a free transfer from Lazio.

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Haim-mer
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 17th July 2010
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are set to complete another raid on relegated Portsmouth with the
capture of Israeli defender Tal Ben Haim, according to reports. Ben Haim, a
player linked with the Hammers since the end of last season is set to sign
on a free transfer having agreed terms, the details of which are unknown at
present. Debt-ridden Pompey are said to have been desperate to offload the
high-earning 28-year-old, who joined the south coast club via Bolton,
Chelsea and Manchester City.

The decision to sign Ben Haim may raise one or two eyebrows following
comments he made about current Irons boss Avram Grant in 2008, whilst both
were at Chelsea. Disenchanted by his lack of first team opportunities he
lashed out at his then-manager, saying: "If I knew Avram Grant was going to
be the coach I would have signed for another club. It was Jose who brought
me here ... I knew nothing good would come for me with Grant as Chelsea
coach."

The outburst resulted in Ben-Haim being fined two-weeks' wages by Chelsea,
with Grant retorting: "I don't think Jose promised Ben Haim he will play
before John Terry, Carvalho and Alex. It is internal business but, in my
opinion, if a player was wrong we need to deal with it - in our way, my
way."

Ben Haim - who can play at centre half or on the right side of defence -
left Chelsea at the end of that season when he joined Manchester City in a
deal worth £5million. However he was on his way to Sunderland just six
months later where he spent the remainder of the season on loan. At the end
of the 2008/09 season, the Israeli joined Portsmouth on a four-year deal.
Should the transfer go through as expected, West Ham will become Ben Haim's
sixth Premier League club in just over three years.

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Barrera deal confirmed
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 16th July 2010
By: Staff Writer

Pablo Barrera's transfer to West Ham has been concluded. The tricky Mexican
winger's switch from Pumas to West Ham was confirmed a few moments ago by
the club, who announced that Barrera has signed a four-year contract with a
'one-year option'. The price for luring one of the stars of this summer's
World Cup Finals to east London is £4million. Talking to whufc.com, Barrera
revealed that he was delighted to have completed the move to United. "I am
very happy to sign for West Ham United and have been really taken by the
reception I have received from the players and the manager," he said. "I am
very excited about the opportunity and the possibilities of playing for West
Ham. I will do my best. The fans can expect that I will give 100 per cent to
succeed for the team and to play better than I have ever played before. "I
am very fast and can use both feet. I like the one-on-one situations and to
take on my opponent and beat my rivals. I like to excite the supporters.
People have said that I am the sort of player that the fans want to have the
ball as often as possible because I can make things happen."
West Ham fans will be hoping that Barrera will prove to be rather more
successful than last summer's high-profile South American arrival, Luis
Jimenez. The Chilean playmaker, signed on a season-long loan from Parma was
sent home just half-way through his season-long loan spell after proving to
be a major disappointment.

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Hammers land seasoned striker
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 16th July 2010
By: Staff Writer

West Ham have confirmed their second signing of the day - former Portsmouth
striker Frederic Piquionne. The ex-Lyon forward follows Mexican winger Pablo
Barrera through the entrance doors at the Boleyn Ground after putting pen to
paper on a three-year contract. The 31-year-old once-capped Frenchman, who
worked with Avram Grant for the second half of the 2009/10 campaign was
something of a joke figure at Portsmouth when he initially joined on loan
last term but recovered under the tutelege of Grant to end the season with a
respectable 11 goals. Speaking to whufc.com this evening, Piquionne said:
"I'm very happy to sign for West Ham because my last manager was Avram. I am
looking forward to performing for West Ham and I hope to score many goals
for the club.

"The ambition here has to be to reach the top ten and maybe to win the
League Cup or the FA Cup. I played at Wembley last season, scored there, and
it is an amazing experience I would like to have again."
With regards to renewing acquaintances with the 55-year-old Israeli,
Piquionne added: "I like working with him and I think he likes me. I'm
coming to work hard for the squad and I hope we have a good season. "Avram
is a very, very good coach. Last year we had many problems at Portsmouth but
we got to the FA Cup final. He's a very good manager. As a player, it will
be good to just concentrate on my football. When I do that, I play well and
play with passion. We have the players here to have a very good season."

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Ben-Haim set for Hammers
Pompey defender set for Grant reunion
SSN
Last updated: 16th July 2010

Skysports.com understands West Ham have agreed a deal to sign Portsmouth
defender Tal Ben-Haim. Portsmouth administrator Andrew Andronikou revealed
earlier this week West Ham were interested in signing the Israel
international, with cash-strapped Pompey keen to offload Ben-Haim. Ben Haim
was left behind as Portsmouth travelled to America for a pre-season tour so
that he could sort his future out. West Ham boss Avram Grant is a big
admirer of Ben-Haim and is keen to be reunited with the central defender,
but it was feared his personal demands could scupper the deal. However, a
compromise is believed to have been struck between both parties, paving the
way for Ben-Haim to make the switch to Upton Park.

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Hammers seal Barrera deal
Striker becomes club's second signing of the summer
By James Dall Last updated: 16th July 2010
SSN

West Ham United have confirmed the signing of Mexico international Pablo
Barrera for £4million. Sky Sources revealed on Friday that the Hammers were
closing on the capture of the 23-year-old from UNAM Pumas. After passing a
medical and being accepted for a work permit, Barrera has agreed a four-year
contract with a one-year option. He told the club's official website: "I am
very happy to sign for West Ham United and have been really taken by the
reception I have received from the players and the manager. I have had a
great welcome. "I knew about West Ham when I was in Mexico. They are a big
club and I have heard about the great players they have had in the past. I
have heard a lot more about the club and its traditions since I have been in
London and I am very excited to be here."
He continued: "I am very excited about the opportunity and the possibilities
of playing for West Ham. I will do my best. The fans can expect that I will
give 100 per cent to succeed for the team and to play better than I have
ever played before. "I am very fast and can use both feet. I like the
one-on-one situations and to take on my opponent and beat my rivals. I like
to excite the supporters. People have said that I am the sort of player that
the fans want to have the ball as often as possible because I can make
things happen."
The Hammers also revealed that they hope to "announce two further signings
within the next few hours."

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West Ham land Piquionne
Striker joins Lyon for undisclosed fee
By James Dall Last updated: 16th July 2010
SSN

West Ham United have announced the signing of striker Frederic Piquionne
from Lyon. New Hammers boss Avram Grant has been keen to be reunited with
the attacker after working with him at former club Portsmouth. Skysports.com
unveiled that Piquionne was due for a medical on Friday, and a deal has now
been secured. The 31-year-old has arrived at Upton Park on three-year
contract for an undisclosed fee following the capture of Pablo Barrera.
Piquionne scored five Premier League goals in 34 appearances for Pompey last
season.

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Piquionne targets top-10 finish
New Hammers signing sure club will shine under Grant
By James Dall Last updated: 16th July 2010
SSN

Frederic Piquionne believes that his new club West Ham United can achieve a
top-10 finish this season. The French striker joined the Hammers from Lyon
on Friday for an undisclosed fee, reuniting with former Portsmouth boss
Avram Grant in the process. Piquionne holds Grant in high regard following
his work at Pompey last term, and he is confident West Ham will enjoy a
positive 2010/11 after flirting with relegation last campaign. He told Sky
Sports News: "I think Avram is a good manager. He called me after he joined
West Ham and wanted to join him. "But the negotiations were very long. Now,
though, I am here and very happy. "I think we can have a good season here at
West Ham. The fans here are fantastic. "I think we can finish in the top 10.
We will give our best to achieve that."

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Tal takes cut to join Hammers
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
The Sun

TAL BEN-HAIM has taken a £7,500-a-week pay CUT to sign a four-year contract
with West Ham. The defender agreed a drop on his weekly £50,000 Portsmouth
deal to clinch an immediate return to the Premiership after Pompey's
relegation last season. Ben-Haim will rejoin his old Fratton Park boss Avram
Grant, now in charge at Upton Park. His arrival is also a signal that
Hammers captain Matthew Upson is on his way. The England centre-half has
still not signed a new three-year contract worth £65,000 a week and club
insiders say they are in the dark over his plans. Israeli Ben Haim, 28, has
been left out of Pompey's American tour to sort out his switch. Mexico World
Cup winger Pablo Barrera's £5million move to West Ham has gone through now
he has been granted a work permit. Another former Pompey player, striker
Frederic Piquionne, has also signed for £1.2m.

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Pable pledges Upton spark
Published: 16 Jul 2010
The Sun

PABLO BARERRA has promised to leave the Boleyn breathless after signing for
West Ham. The Mexican World Cup star signed on for the Hammers today in a
£4million deal from Pumas. And the winger, 23, said: "I am very fast and can
use both feet. "I like the one-on-one situations and to take on my opponent
and beat my rivals. I like to excite the supporters. "People have said that
I am the sort of player that the fans want to have the ball as often as
possible because I can make things happen."
Bererra joins on a four-year deal as Avram Grant's east London revolution
starts to take shape. And Berrera added: "I am very happy to sign for West
Ham United and have been really taken by the reception I have received from
the players and the manager. "I knew about West Ham when I was in Mexico.
They are a big club and I have heard about the great players they have had
in the past. "I have heard a lot more about the club and its traditions
since I have been in London and I am very excited to be here."
Frederic Piquionne has finalised his switch to the club and has signed a
three-year deal.

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We'll Av you Piquionne
By ANTONY KASTRINAKIS
Published: 16 Jul 2010
The Sun

WEST HAM have nabbed £1million Lyon striker Frederic Piquionne. The French
hitman, 31, spent last season at Portsmouth under Hammers chief Avram Grant
and will sign a three-year deal worth £40,000 a week. Grant also hopes to
land Nice hotshot Loic Remy today after failing with an £11.5milion bid.

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I know nothing about Loic Remy, claims Hodgson
Published 15:22 16/07/10 By Football Spy
The Mirror

Hodgson, meanwhile, has played down stories linking the Reds with a move for
Nice striker Loic Remy . Reports this morning claimed Liverpool and
Tottenham had tabled bids for the France international while West Ham were
also interested. Hodgson said: "He's a player who was mentioned to me by the
scouting department and a player the club were following before I came.
"He's a player I know very little about. If I am going to be interested in a
player I am going to have to watch him playing, study him and make judgments
which I have not been able to."

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Hammers tie up £7m swoop for trio
Published 23:00 16/07/10 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror

West Ham have pulled off a treble transfer coup by signing Frederic
Piquionne, Pablo Barrera and Tal Ben Haim. New Upton Park boss Avram Grant
moved quickly to line up the new arrivals, who will cost around £7million in
total. The Israeli will team up again with on-loan Portsmouth striker
Piquionne after Lyon accepted a payment package for their much-travelled
forward. Piquionne, 31, will join the Hammers for an initial £1m, which will
double based on appearances – a deal rated as cheap by club owners David
Sullivan and David Gold, despite his £40,000-a-week salary.

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Kop face nervous wait over Remy - even if Riera is sold
Published 23:00 16/07/10 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror

Liverpool are ready to sell Albert Riera to Greek club Olympiakos in a
£4million deal – to raise cash for Loic Remy. The Spanish left winger is
expected to speak to Olympiakos, who are offering big salaries to their new
players, although he would prefer to stay in England or return to Spain's La
Liga. Kop boss Roy Hodgson knows he has some 'disenchanted players' and
Riera, who fell out badly with former manager Rafa Benitez, is one of them.
But, rather than convince him to stay, a sale will help in the bid to land
Nice striker Remy. However the Anfield club still face a bizarre twist in
their £12m chase for Remy – because of a secret deal between Nice and Lyon.
Remy's old club Lyon let the striker go to Nice a couple of years ago but
demanded first option if he moved on. That would give Liverpool only a week
to agree a fee – and then wait to see if Lyon match it – before registering
the 23-year-old for the Europa League. Remy has dropped heavy hints that he
wants a move to Merseyside. But that will not stop Lyon from exercising the
strange clause to see if they can force him to change his mind.

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Hammers complete Piquionne and Barrera double deal
Published 17:20 16/07/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

West Ham have made French striker Frederic Piquionne their second signing of
the day following the earlier arrival of Mexico winger Pablo Barrera.
Piquionne, who spent last season playing for new Hammers boss Avram Grant
while on loan at Portsmouth, has joined for an undisclosed fee from Lyon.
The 31-year-old has signed a three-year contract at Upton Park. Piquionne,
capped once by France, scored 11 goals in all competitions for Portsmouth,
with three of those coming in their run to the FA Cup final. "I am very
happy to sign for West Ham because my last manager was Avram," he told the
club's website. "I know Avram and I like working with him and I think he
likes me. I'm coming to work hard for the squad and I hope we have a good
season. "Avram is a very, very good coach. Last year we had many problems at
Portsmouth but we got to the FA Cup final. He's a very good manager. "As a
player, it will be good just to concentrate on my football. When I do that,
I play well and play with passion. We have the players here to have a very
good season."
Earlier, West Ham snapped up Mexico winger Barrera in a £4million deal with
Pumas. The 23-year-old has signed a four-year contract at Upton Park after
passing a medical and receiving his work permit yesterday. Barrera made
three appearances at the World Cup, all as a substitute, as Mexico made it
to the last 16. "I am very happy to sign for West Ham United and have been
really taken by the reception I have received from the players and the
manager," Barrera told the club's website. "I have had a great welcome. "I
knew about West Ham when I was in Mexico. They are a big club and I have
heard about the great players they have had in the past. I have heard a lot
more about the club and its traditions since I have been in London and I am
very excited to be here."

West Ham last month released Barrera's international team-mate Guillermo
Franco, who scored five goals in 21 appearances for the club. Barrera added
that he wanted to show off his pace to excite the Hammers faithful. "I am
very excited about the opportunity and possibilities of playing for West
Ham," he said. "I will do my best. The fans can expect that I will give 100%
to succeed for the team and to play better than I have every played before.
"I am very fast and can use both feet. I like the one-on-one situations and
to take on my opponent and beat my rivals. I like to excite the supporters.
"People have said that I am the sort of player that the fans want to have
the ball as often as possible because I can make things happen."
Today's arrivals take West Ham's intake of new players to three after the
signing of German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger. The club now say they hope
to make further additions "within the next 72 hours".

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Transfer latest: 17 July
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 17th July 2010
By: Staff Writer

West Ham's expected string of departures could begin this week following
news of interest from Greece in two first team squad members.

Since arriving at the club, Avram Grant has made three signings - soon to be
four - with none yet to leave. However that could change as early as next
week according to the Independent, who report that Olympiakos have enjoyed
fruitful meetings with Hammers chiefs with regards to signing Radoslav Kovac
and Alessandro Diamanti, both players thought to be surplus to requirements
at present. The two combined should fetch around £6million.

The hunt for a back-up option between the sticks is yet to be resolved but
the choice is thought to be down to just two players - Algerian
international Raïs M'Bolhi and young Dutch prospect Piet Velthuizen, who we
first told you about here.

M'Bolhi, who like our own Rob Green didn't exactly have a World Cup to
savour was reported by one Bulgarian sports agency to be in London for
discussions last week. The revelation was made by the owner of the M'Bolhi's
current club Slavia Sofia which lends the rumour a little more weight than
some. Velthuizen - who is in the final year of his contract with Vitesse -
said last week that "going to West Ham would be like a dream". Good lad.

There's little to report on the Neymar front, although news of United's
interest was surprisingly blamed for the 18-year's sub-standard performance
during a game earlier this week. A disgruntled Santos manager, speaking
after the game told reporters: "The transfer is not my decision; his father
is in talks over his future with other clubs" - so maybe there's still
another twist in this one (though with the figures bandied about we won't be
holding our breath).

News of Liverpool's interest in French youngster Loic Remy appeared to come
as a complete surprise to new Reds manager Roy Hodgson, who yesterday ruled
out a move for the Nice striker when he confessed that the player was not on
his immediate radar, despite apparently having been tracked by Liverpool for
a number of years. Tottenham's purported interest was news to everyone and
is more likely to be the work of an impatient agent looking to strike a
deal.

West Ham are still thought to be interested in signing Remy despite landing
Frederic Piquionne less than 24 hours ago - and having thus far refused to
meet Nice's demands. However the latest from L'Equipe suggests that Hodgson
may be playing a crafty game of bluff, with a suggestion that Liverpool's
interest is indeed real.

Meanwhile, Scott Parker continues to be loosely linked to Aston Villa, who
are rumoured to be impatient to spend the money they will receive from
Manchester City for the impending sale of James Milner. Although the KUMB
Player of the Year has been cited as the one player the club will not sell,
with Parker's stock currently at its peak the opportunity to cash in could
be too strong to refuse should the offer approach the £15million mark.

Carlton Cole, who featured at Peterborough on Wednesday night remains firmly
in the 'at risk' category but at present nobody has been willing to meet
West Ham's valuation, once again thought to be in the region of £15million.

One player now off the list of potential signings is Steve Sidwell, who has
joined Fulham in a 'snub' to the Hammers. That's according to the Daily
Mail, who add that the flame-haired midfielder has signed a two-year deal at
Craven Cottage.

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West Ham United complete third signing of the day as Portsmouth defender Tal
Ben-Haim makes move - report
16 Jul 2010 23:39:00
Goal.com

West Ham United have agreed a deal with Portsmouth for defender Tal Ben-Haim
to join the Upton Park club, according to the Daily Mail. Reports suggest
that a conflict concerning wages held up the deal with an offer of £30,000 a
week from West Ham supposedly being £8,000 short of what the defender was
receiving at Portsmouth. With the dispute appearing to be resolved, however,
the 28-year-old is set to join up with the Hammers for the forthcoming
season.
After Portsmouth's relegation from the Premier League last term, reports
suggest the Israeli defender is heading back to top flight football and has
already joined the Hammers. If reports are to be believed, Ben-Haim will be
playing alongside former team-mate Frederic Piquionne and Mexico winger
Pablo Barrera - who were both confirmed as new signings at Upton Park on
Friday.

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West Ham complete double signing of Pablo Barrera and Frederic Piquionne
West Ham have announced the signings of Mexico winger Pablo Barrera and
former Portsmouth striker Frederic Piquionne on a busy day for new boss
Avram Grant.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Published: 5:05PM BST 16 Jul 2010

West Ham have paid Mexican club Pumas £4million for Barrera and have the
option to sign the 23-year-old for a further year. Piquionne has signed a
three year contract for an undisclosed fee after leaving French club Lyon
and will link up once more with manager Grant who were both at Portsmouth
last season.
Premier League trio target free agent Dan Gosling The two new recruits are
the London club's second and third signings of the season after the London
club secured the services of Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger who made
his debut in the 2-1 friendly win over Colchester United. "I am very happy
to sign for West Ham because my last manager was Avram," Piquionne told the
club's website. "I know Avram and I like working with him and I think he
likes me. I'm coming to work hard for the squad and I hope we have a good
season. "Avram is a very, very good coach. Last year we had many problems at
Portsmouth but we got to the FA Cup final. He's a very good manager. "As a
player, it will be good just to concentrate on my football. When I do that,
I play well and play with passion. We have the players here to have a very
good season. "The ambition here has to be to reach the top 10 and maybe to
win the League Cup or the FA Cup," Piquionne said. Earlier Barrera, who
featured three times for Mexico at the World Cup in South Africa, made his
arrival after being granted a British work permit on Thursday. "I am very
happy to sign for West Ham United and have been really taken by the
reception I have received from the players and the manager," Barrera said.
"I have had a great welcome. "I knew about West Ham when I was in Mexico.
They are a big club and I have heard about the great players they have had
in the past. I have heard a lot more about the club and its traditions since
I have been in London and I am very excited to be here."

West Ham last month released Barrera's international team-mate Guillermo
Franco, who scored five goals in 21 appearances for the club. Barrera added
that he wanted to show off his pace to excite the Hammers faithful. "I am
very excited about the opportunity and possibilities of playing for West
Ham," he said. "I will do my best. The fans can expect that I will give 100%
to succeed for the team and to play better than I have every played before.
"I am very fast and can use both feet. I like the one-on-one situations and
to take on my opponent and beat my rivals. I like to excite the supporters.
"People have said that I am the sort of player that the fans want to have
the ball as often as possible because I can make things happen."

West Ham, who finished one place above the relegation zone last season begin
their Premier League campaign against Aston Villa on Aug 14, and said
"further major additions" should be announced in the coming days.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammer blow for West Ham as Aston Villa's Steve Sidwell agrees deal with
Fulham
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 1:38 AM on 17th July 2010
Daily Mail

Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell has snubbed a move to West Ham to join
Premier League rivals Fulham for £2million. Sidwell, 27, has agreed a
three-year-deal at Craven Cottage after being swayed by Martin Jol's
imminent appointment as manager. Sidwell joined Villa in 2008 from Chelsea
for £5m and made 41 appearances.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Portsmouth defender Ben Haim accepts major pay-cut for West Ham move
17.07.10 | tribalfootball.com

Portsmouth defender Tal Ben Haim is on his way to West Ham United. The Sun
says Ben Haim has taken a £7,500-a-week pay CUT to sign a four-year contract
with West Ham. The defender agreed a drop on his weekly £50,000 Portsmouth
deal to clinch an immediate return to the Premiership after Pompey's
relegation last season. Ben-Haim will rejoin his old Fratton Park boss Avram
Grant, now in charge at Upton Park.

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Barrera: I joined West Ham to win trophies
17.07.10 | tribalfootball.com

Mexican signing Pablo Barrera insists he's arrived at West Ham United to win
silverware. Barrera expressed his excitement at playing in the Premier
League and said he has joined West Ham to succeed and to win trophies. "For
sure, I think it is possible for us to win trophies," the former UNAM Pumas
winger told whufc.com. "I want to do my best and to succeed at this club. It
would be great to win some trophies here. I am very excited about the
possibilities with West Ham and excited about working with the new manager
and the team. My goal is to win my place in the team with my skills, to show
the fans that I will do my best for West Ham and to win a title with West
Ham."

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