Published: Today
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE is the latest manager to join the £2million chase for Leeds'
Max Gradel. But West Ham will need to beat off a trio of top-flight clubs in
Fulham, Norwich and Swansea battling to sign the Ivory Coast winger, 23.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hitz fits Villa for free move
Published: Today
The Sun
THOMAS HITZLSPERGER could rejoin Aston Villa for nothing. The former Villa
Park midfielder, 29, had a clause in his West Ham contract that let him
leave if they were relegated. Fulham and Blackburn are also keen on him.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Instil £7 Million Price Tag on Scott Parker
By Callum D'Souza on June 26, 2011
BleacherReport.com
West Ham were the first team to endure relegation from 2010/2011, a fate
that appeared inevitable from almost day one of the thrilling campaign.
Despite this the heroic efforts of Scott Parker throughout the season of 40
appearances and seven goals, which many believe the Englishman was the
Premier League's best midfielder, was a joy to watch.
However the 30 year old was destined to depart the Hammers even if the
London club had narrowly avoided relegation. According the Daily Mail New
manager Sam Allardyce has instilled a £7 million price tag on on the former
Chelsea midfielder who is one of the most chased targets in the EPL.
Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa are just some of the clubs
eager to secure Parker's service despite his age.
Capped six times at national level for England, Parker possesses a dynamic,
combative midfield play which thrives on work and strength. A natural leader
and experienced head, the Englishman is an ideal signing for all clubs.
Ideally West Ham would aim to keep their fearless leader but the significant
drop in funds due to relegation ensure Parker's wage demand is to high.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Scott Parker should join Arsenal – not Spurs
London24.com
Paul Chronnell
Monday, June 27, 2011
12:12 PM
Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has told his former club to gazump rivals Spurs
and make Scott Parker their transfer priority as Arsene Wenger battles to
keep hold of his star midfielders. Wenger is facing up to finally losing his
captain, Cesc Fabregas, but is adamant that Samir Nasri will not join the
Spaniard in heading out of the Emirates. Barcelona are ready to increase
their offer for Fabregas to £31m, having had a £27m bid turned down by the
Gunners on Friday. And while Arsenal are holding out for closer to £40m, the
player has reiterated his desire to leave and the deal will happen if a
compromise can be reached. However, former Gunner Parlour, who won three
Premier League title medals in his 12 years at the club, believes that
Parker is the man Arsenal should be trying to sign, regardless of who stays
or leaves. Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has made no secret of his desire to
sign Parker from relegated West Ham, and is the facvourite to land last
season's Football Writers' Player of the Year. But Parlour said: "Scott
Parker is going at West Ham, bring him in, he'd be excellent just in front
of the back four and there's an opportunity to get him. "They also need
somebody at the back who can play centre-half, a real stopper like a Sol
Campbell, who puts his body there and makes sure Arsenal don't concede
goals. "If they can get someone like that it would be excellent. They also
need a striker as well but they've got a decent squad and they'll have a
chance. "Every Arsenal fan out there who is a little bit worried, don't
panic just yet as there's a long way to go before the start of the season.
"I'm just hoping they can find that right player or right players to really
push them to challenge Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and
Liverpool who will be strong next year."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hines: I don't want to leave West Ham
TalkSport
By Marc Isaacs
Monday, June 27
West Ham striker Zavon Hines remains hopeful he can agree a new deal to stay
at Upton Park. Hines looked set to quit the east London club after he turned
down the first offer to renew his contract at the end of the season. The
England Under-21 forward is currently a free agent and has been strongly
linked with a move to Norwich. But as talkSPORT revealed last week, West Ham
manager Sam Allardyce is determined to keep Hines at the club and the
22-year-old striker says a deal could be finalised in the near future. Hines
said: "I don't want to leave and I am trying to agree a new deal with the
club."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham leading chase to sign Leeds ace
TalkSport
By Marc Isaacs
Monday, June 27
West Ham are leading the chase to sign Leeds' highly-rated rated winger Max
Gradel. Gradel took the Championship by storm last season when he netted 18
goals and was voted the club's player of the season. But the talented
23-year-old is out of contract with the Yorkshire club next summer and Leeds
do not want to see him walk away as a free agent. West Ham boss Sam
Allardyce is looking to build a team that is good enough to bounce straight
back into the top-flight and feels the Ivory Coast international would be a
valuable addition to his squad. Swansea have also been strongly linked with
a move for Gradel following their promotion into the Premier League, but
West Ham now look the favourites to clinch his signature.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stoke move for West Ham striker Cole, but £3m bid falls well short of
Hammers' valuation
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 11:23 PM on 27th June 2011
Daily Mail
Stoke have made a £3million offer for West Ham striker Carlton Cole. The
former England forward is one of the club's higher earners and they are keen
to offload him but want £7m. Cole, 27, may struggle to pass a medical,
though. Stoke manager Tony Pulis is also weighing up a £1m offer for
Preston midfielder Adam Barton. The Republic of Ireland Under 21 prospect
has also attracted interest from Liverpool.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
George Moncur - West Ham
Posted on 22 June 2011 by Joshua Modaberi
Sportsvibe.co.uk
George Moncur is a 17-year-old midfielder who has followed in the footsteps
of his father and former Hammer John Moncur. The young midfielder has
impressed in Tony Carr's Under-18 side at West Ham and has played regularly
for the reserves. Last year he was rewarded with a three-year contract by
the club. Moncur has also made a number of appearances for England
Under-18's and has put in some impressive performances for the three lions
and will hope to soon make the jump to the Under-19's in the near future.
Sportvibe caught up with Moncur to find out more about the talented young
midfielder.
Who did you support as a boy?
With my dad playing for West Ham when I was younger, they were always the
club that I supported, and have supported them all my life.
What was the first football match you attended?
I think the first ever game I went to was to see West Ham v Bradford and my
dad scored in that game as well – West Ham went on to win 5-4.
Whose name did you have on the back of your shirt?
To be fair it has always been my old man, every time when I was little and
had a shirt it was always my dads name on the back.
How old were you when you signed your first professional contract?
I joined the club when I was about 13 or 14 and signed my first professional
contract at West Ham when I was 17.
Is there a player that you style your game on? Someone that you have been
compared to?
I tend to style my game on people like (Cesc) Fabregas and Xavi. I try to
make lots of short passes and one and two touch football, but I can do the
other side and tackle as well.
What has been the proudest moment of your career?
I would have to say the proudest moment of my careers so far has been
playing for England.
And the toughest time in your career?
To be fair the toughest moment of my career to date, was probably getting
into the team when I was in my first year West Ham when I was younger. But
when I got my chance I took it and I've stayed in the team really ever
since.
Who is your closest friend in football?
My best mate is Dylan Tombides at West Ham, who is an Australian
international as well.
If you could play along side any player past or present who would it be?
I would probably have to say Paolo Di Canio for that one, he was a great
player. Actually I had better change the answer to that question and say I
would rather play with my old man.
Who is the best player that you have played alongside?
There are actually two great players that I have played alongside and they
are Jack Collison and Mark Noble both at West Ham.
Who is the best player you have come up against?
The best player I have played against would have to be Ryan Babel.
When did you realise football was going to be your career?
I didn't really have any pressure on me to become a footballer with my dad
playing professionally and I actually got into football quite late. I only
started playing when I was 10 or 11.
I then went to Tottenham for a year or two and then went to West Ham. There
was a bit of added pressure a little bit because I'm at a club where my dad
used to play, but it all worked out form there really.
How difficult is it to get yourself in the first team?
West Ham have bought youngsters through in the past, but its changing now I
think and it is obviously hard to get in the team, but everybody needs a
chance and hopefully I get my chance soon and do myself justice.
With West Ham's relegation to the Championship, do you think for a young
player life yourself it can be a bit of a blessing in disguise?
It's obviously not a good thing going down, but for youngsters like myself
and other players it's a good thing in terms of getting more regular first
team football and hopefully we get a chance to help take West Ham back into
the Premier League. I think appointing Sam Allardyce was a great decision.
He's a really good manager and he gets results and that is what you need at
the end of the day.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
I would have to say my dad, but in terms of managers, I would have to say
Tony Carr, who has done a great job with bringing lots of the youngsters
through and he knows what he is talking about
What has been your most extravagant buy as a pro footballer?
I'm really into my clothes to be honest, I like Ralph Lauren. I usually go
shopping at Selfridges in Oxford Street, Lakeside or Bluewater.
And finally what does the future hold for yourself?
Hopefully I can push on from where I am at the minute and just keep
improving and hopefully one day I can play on a regular basis for the
England first team.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
