'It's very, very encouraging'
WHUFC.com
Neil McDonald has been pleased by the approach of the players to a hard week
in Switzerland
14.07.2011
Rome was not built in a day. Likewise, the new West Ham United that Sam
Allardyce and Neil McDonald are building will not be constructed in a week.
As the Hammers approach the end of their pre-season training camp in
Switzerland, assistant manager McDonald has spoken positively about the
progress being made on and off the pitch. The duo, who combined to such good
effect at Bolton Wanderers, are working to instil a forward-thinking
mentality during the squad's stay in the picturesque town of Spiez. There,
the players have been put through triple training sessions, while they also
fell to narrow 2-1 defeats to Swiss Super League high-fliers BSC Young Boys
and FC Basel in the space of little more than 48 hours. The results of those
games will have no bearing on the npower Championship season to come, but
the fitness work the players have done during their stay certainly will.
"We're trying to create an atmosphere that's positive after what happened
last season with the relegation, and we're trying to give them information
on how the manager wants to play," said McDonald. "They haven't done it all
the time in the two games but they have done it and that's very, very
encouraging considering we've only been back to work for a week. "It has
been a very, very long week. The lads have been training three times a day
and they are tired. "The games have come thick and fast which probably
wasn't ideal after all the training that we've done, but they've got through
and showed a willingness to try and do the right things. "We've still got a
lot to work on and still got lots of things that we need to put into their
minds. They obviously have to get fitter, which is part of what pre-season
is all about and we look forward to starting again on Thursday, because the
lads will be having a session and then, when we get back to England, it'll
be all systems go again. "It's hard work all the way to Cardiff City at home
on 7 August."
The training camp routine has seen the players and staff up at 6.30am for an
early-morning swim, followed by a regular training session in the morning, a
rest in the afternoon and a third tactical session or match in the evening.
Despite the tough schedule, the squad has risen to the challenge to a man.
"They have embraced it because it will hopefully educate them that it's the
right thing to do, especially when you're in a routine when you get up, you
don't do much and you play a game in the night time," explained the
assistant manager. "It's pre-season and the games are incidental to a
certain extent. Yes, you have to perform and try to entertain, which I think
we've tried to do. We've scored a couple of goals and conceded a few, which
hopefully we can eradicate as pre-season goes along, and then progress on
things we need to progress on. "We've still got plenty of pre-season games
to get things right. We've played two games already and we've only been back
for a week, which is a big ask for the players, along with all the training
that we've been doing. "We've played one team who'll be in the Europa League
and one who'll be in the Champions League and they're five weeks ahead of
us. I think they've acquitted themselves really, really well. "Yes, they've
looked a little bit tired and heavy legged, but that's only natural because
of the work that we've been doing."
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Kids a fiver for Cardiff
WHUFC.com
The excitement is mounting with the start of the 2011/12 campaign drawing
ever nearer
14.07.2011
West Ham United can confirm ticket selling dates and prices for the first
four matches of the new npower Championship season as well as the Carling
Cup first round.
Check out the club's ticket news pages for more details of how to buy seats
for the Cardiff City and Leeds United home league matches, as well as the
first awayday at Doncaster Rovers. The club is already selling cup tickets
for Aldershot Town, with prices at just £5 for kids and £10 for adults.
Before all that, the club will welcome Real Zaragoza for a prestigious
pre-season match on Saturday 30 July, with fans getting their first Boleyn
Ground look at summer signings Abdoulaye Faye and Kevin Nolan. Sam
Allardyce's new-look team will be preparing for the big kick-of a week later
against Cardiff on Sunday 7 August, when all kids tickets will be priced at
just £5.
The best and most cost effective way to follow the Hammers this season is
still a season ticket, with fans snapping them up in great numbers. Click
here for details of
how you can save and get a superb money-off offer on all Macron products
when you renew by Tuesday 19 July.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Eidur Gudjohnsen undergoes West Ham United medical
Page last updated at 15:37 GMT, Thursday, 14 July 2011 16:37 UK
BBC.co.uk
Eidur Gudjohnsen is reported to be awaiting the results of a medical ahead
of a proposed move to West Ham United. The Iceland international forward,
32, is a free agent after seeing out his contract at Stoke City. He spent
the second half of last season on loan at Fulham and had been linked with a
move to Premier League newcomers Swansea City. But Gudjohnsen is looking to
stay in London and re-join his former Bolton manager Sam Allardyce.
Gudjohnsen joined Bolton from KR Reykjavik in 2008. He went on to enjoy
highly successful spells at Chelsea and then Barcelona before returning to
England, first on loan at Spurs and then at Stoke.
He has made 66 appearances for Iceland.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham midfielder Scott Parker's future to be resolved
Page last updated at 14:58 GMT, Thursday, 14 July 2011 15:58 UK
BBC.co.uk
By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer
Scott Parker's West Ham future could be close to a resolution as Chelsea
ponder whether to firm up their interest in a season-long loan deal and
Aston Villa emerge as rivals for his signature. West Ham accept the
30-year-old midfielder, who has four years left on his current deal, will
leave after their relegation and want around £8m.
BBC Sport understands West Ham have yet to received an approach from
Chelsea. But they are aware of the possibility of a deal and would be
receptive. Chelsea's interest in Parker, who first joined the Blues in 2004
for £10m, has increased after Michael Essien was ruled out for six months
with a knee injury and is independent from their interest in Tottenham's
Luka Modric. Villa are believed to be willing to pursue a deal close to West
Ham's valuation - but a loan deal is appealing because Chelsea would pay a
fee to secure the England international for a season and leave open the
possibility that he could move back to Upton Park if they return to the
Premier League at the end of next season under new manager Sam Allardyce.
The £20m sale of Stewart Downing to Liverpool has given new Villa boss Alex
McLeish money to spend in the transfer market, with Manchester City
goalkeeper Shay Given and Wigan Athletic's Charles N'Zogbia in his sights.
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan said: "A loan deal would appeal to us
because we love Scott. We would obviously want a loan fee because he has
substantial value to us."
Fellow co-owner David Gold recently told BBC Sport that West Ham would love
to keep Parker at Upton Park - but accepted his England ambitions meant this
hope would be thwarted. "I am a West Ham supporter but I am also a realist,"
said Gold. "He is an England international who has done ever so well for his
country recently, and not many of those play their football in the
Championship."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham are in a sorry state - Trevor Sinclair
BBC.co.uk
Trevor Sinclair believes his former club West Ham is in "a sorry state"
following relegation. The Hammers finished the 2010/2011 season bottom of
the table on 33 points after winning just seven matches. "They had the squad
to stay up last season and a few underachievers within that group have got a
lot to answer for," Sinclair told BBC London 94.9. "I hope they can get
back, especially with the Olympic stadium possibly becoming their home
ground," he said. Sinclair, who made 175 appearances in his five seasons at
Upton Park, said he was baffled by recent events at the club, beginning with
the appointment of Gianfranco Zola as manager in 2008. "The fact that Zola
got the job in the first place surprised me," said Sinclair. "But then he
did a good job and I was pleased for him, the players seemed to respect him
and play well for him. "Then for him to get sacked and to bring Avram Grant
in, I could just not get my head around that," he said. During Grant's
tenure the Hammers lost 19 matches and were relegated to the Championship
after a six year stay in the top flight. But Sinclair, 38, is confident that
new boss Sam Allardyce can turn things around. The former Bolton manager has
targeted a return to the top flight at the first time of asking and Sinclair
thinks it can be achieved. "He got Bolton to become a good side in the
Premier League and they have been there for quite a while now," the former
England international said. "He obviously knows what it takes to get to the
Premier League, so lets hope he can use some of that magic to get West Ham
back up and keep them there."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole not a Potter
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 14th July 2011
By: Staff Writer
Carlton Cole has rejected the opportunity to join Stoke City, according to
reports. The Guardian say tonight that the West Ham and England striker has
turned down the opportunity to join the Potters despite a fee having been
agreed between the two clubs last week. With West Ham having accepted
Stoke's second improved offer - said to be worth £4.5million plus add-ons -
Cole was given the opportunity to discuss terms with the Premier League club
prior to United's trip to Switzerland. It was subsequently widely reported
that the deal was virtually sealed - with at least one national tabloid
falsely claiming that Cole had been due in Stoke for a medical last Friday.
However as KUMB.com revealed, the 27-year-old was instead on his way to
Switzerland with the rest of West Ham's first team squad. Cole has made it
clear in recent weeks that his preference is to remain at West Ham, despite
both David Gold and David Sullivan's insistance that it would be 'unfair' to
force the club's English internationals to play in the Championship. And
having played for West Ham in the 2-1 defeat against Basel last night -
albeit for only the final quarter-of-an-hour - the writing was already on
the wall. Cole is the latest in a long line of West Ham players to be linked
with Stoke City in recent years - although only one, Matthew Etherington,
has made the switch from the Boleyn to the Britannia. Dean Ashton, Mark
Noble, Radoslav Kovac, Demba Ba and Matthew Upson have all failed to follow
the fleet-footed winger up the M1 despite having been courted by City.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Transfer latest
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 14th July 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are set to confirm their first addition to the squad since landing
Kevin Nolan and Abdoulaye Faye a month ago. Eidur Gudjohnsen should be
confirmed as the club's third summer signing by the end of the day having
agreed terms with the club last weekend. The Icelandic international, who is
undergoing a medical at Holly House today is set to sign for West Ham at the
third time of asking.
Another player strongly linked with the club in recent weeks is Leeds
United's Ivorian winger Max Gradel, who the Yorkshire Evening Post claim was
the subject of a £2.5million bid from West Ham at the beginning of the week.
That bid is said to have been instantly rejected by Leeds but the Post add
that any offer of £3million or above could be enough to secure the services
of the highly-rated 23-year-old.
As reported here on KUMB in the early hours of the morning, the Daily Mail
claim that Aston Villa have had a £7million offer for Scott Parker rejected.
Chelsea are also rumoured to be keen, with Tottenham apparently slipping out
of the running as a result of their recent Olympic Stadium dispute with West
Ham.
Blackpool target man DJ Campbell - who is available for £1.25million - could
still be a West Ham player, but any potential move to London depends upon
the two parties involved compromising on personal demands.
Burnley full-back Danny Fox is one of a series of full-backs on Sam
Allardyce's (lengthy) list of potential targets. The 25-year-old - who is
one of few to have represented two different countries at international
level having featured for the England under 21s and the senior Scotland side
- joined Burnley in January 2010 having failed to make the grade at Celtic.
Other potential targets on Allardyce's list include Aston Villa's Stephen
Warnock and Newcastle's Nile Ranger.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gudjohnsen in Hammers medical
Iceland striker poised for Upton Park move
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: July
14, 2011 2:37pm
SSN
Eidur Gudjohnsen is undergoing a medical at West Ham ahead of his proposed
move to Upton Park. As revealed by skysports.com earlier this week,
Gudjohnsen was due to be checked out on Thursday after the Hammers offered
him a one-year deal. The Icelander, who spent the second half of last season
on loan at Fulham, is available on a free transfer after seeing out his
contract at Stoke. Swansea expressed an interest in signing the 32-year-old,
but West Ham have beaten the Premier League new boys to the former Chelsea
man. The move will see Gudjohnsen link up again with Sam Allardyce with the
pair having worked together at Bolton earlier in his career.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Eidur move could be Gud
Published: Today
The Sun
WEST HAM are poised to sign former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur
Gudjohnsen. The 32-year-old Iceland international is due to undergo a
medical ahead of a move to Upton Park on a free transfer after he was
released by Stoke at the end of last season. Premier League newcomers
Swansea were also interested in Gudjohnsen, but he is set to sign a one-year
deal to link up with new Hammers boss Sam Allardyce. Gudjohnsen first came
to prominence under Allardyce at Bolton 13 years ago, where he scored 27
goals in 77 appearances before moving to Chelsea for £5million. Now the
former Trotter will again link up with Allardyce to boost a forward line
shorn of Demba Ba, Robbie Keane and Victor Obinna following the Hammers'
relegation and with Carlton Cole's future still uncertain. Stoke have agreed
an initial fee of around £4million for the striker but he has yet to agree
personal terms. Yet despite his likely departure, Cole came on as a
substitute during West Ham's 2-1 friendly defeat by FC Basel in Switzerland
last night. Fellow England internationals Robert Green and Scott Parker did
not feature as talk continues over their destinations next season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
It's Villa Parker
By MARK IRWIN
Published: Today
The Sun
ASTON VILLA are ready to hijack Scott Parker's loan move to Chelsea. And
boss Alex McLeish also hopes to replace wingers Ashley Young and Stewart
Downing with Manchester City's Shaun Wright-Phillips and Wigan's Charles
N'Zogbia. Chelsea fly to Malaysia on Sunday, with new boss Andre Villas-Boas
keen to have West Ham midfielder Parker on board. The Blues see former
player Parker, 30, as an ideal stand-in for Michael Essien, who faces six
months out after a knee op. But their hopes could be scuppered by McLeish,
who is ready to offer £8million to bring last season's Football Writers'
Footballer of the Year to Villa Park. Parker flew back from the Hammers'
Swiss training camp last night and wants his future sorted as soon as
possible. The England ace is keen to return to Chelsea but the West
Londoners are unwilling to meet West Ham's demands for a £4.5m fee as well
as paying Parker's £65,000-a-week wages. Yet Villa have cash to spend
following Downing's £20m move to Liverpool yesterday. McLeish is now ready
to offer Parker a permanent return to the Premier League and is ready to
match the player's wages. Villa were last night also closing in on N'Zogbia,
as they tried to beat off a last-ditch attempt by Sunderland to pip them to
the £10m deal. And Wright-Phillips is also on their radar following Young's
£20m switch to Manchester United, with a fee of £4m lined up. Villa bigwigs
were locked in talks with Wigan last night and are confident a deal can be
struck for N'Zogbia, 25. Sunderland may have swooped too late but sources in
the North East say boss Steve Bruce is still hopeful. Wright-Phillips, 29,
is desperate for a move away from Eastlands and is keen on a switch to the
Midlands. Villa are also eager to push through talks with City for £4m
goalkeeper Shay Given, 35. The Irishman is willing to take a £20,000-a-week
paycut but City need to agree some severance pay.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stoke's injury jibe a sore point for Cole
Published 23:01 14/07/11 By Darren Lewis - EXCLUSIVE
The Mirror
Carlton Cole is ready to snub talks with Stoke after their chairman
questioned his injury record on TV. Peter Coates' comments have angered the
England marksman and are now threatening Tony Pulis' bid to bring Cole to
the Britannia Stadium. A source close to the £4.5million deal said last
night: "Carlton has a lot of respect for Tony Pulis. But he hasn't asked to
leave West Ham. "And seeing the Stoke chairman talking on Sky Sports about
his fitness upset him."
Cole made 43 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring 11 goals,
delivering five assists and helping West Ham to the latter stages of the
Carling and FA Cups. Although a knee problem did interrupt his season two
years ago, Cole still made 30 Premier League appearances, starting 26 of
them and scoring 10 league goals. Yet Coates said earlier this week: "He has
got an injury problem and he's always had that. "That's another risk you
take, you have to factor that in. But he's a good player and Tony has always
liked him. Managers like different players, don't they? And Tony has always
liked him. "I think we have tried to sign him about three times over the
last few years without succeeding. Maybe we'll get somewhere this year."
It is the second time in the last six months that Stoke have questioned the
injury record of a player they were attempting to sign. A deal to land
French forward Demba Ba was all but agreed when Stoke developed cold feet,
claiming doubts about striker's fitness. The Ba camp felt then that Stoke
were trying to drive down the transfer fee. Ba, now with Newcastle, signed
for West Ham instead and finished as the club's top scorer in the Premier
League with seven goals from 12 games. Included in that haul was the opener
in the Hammers' 3-0 win over Stoke in March. Stoke's stance leaves the way
open for QPR to come back in for England international Cole after initially
losing out. Cole is currently in Switzerland as part of the Hammers' 26-man
pre-season training squad, while Pulis is overseeing Stoke's preparations in
Austria. Claims that Cole's wage demands are scuppering the deal have also
been dismissed. The source added: "It didn't even get as far as wages.
Carlton has been available for the majority of West Ham's games in the last
three years. He is focused on West Ham. "If a team comes in with an offer
West Ham deem to be fit, he knows he is one of the assets that the club has
to sell off. "But if not, then he has no problem staying put."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham expecting £7m bid for Parker
Published 23:00 14/07/11 By James Nursey & Alan Nixon
The Mirror
West Ham believe a £7million Aston Villa bid for Scott Parker is imminent.
Villa owner Randy Lerner has balanced the club's books by selling England
wingers Ashley Young and Stewart Downing to Manchester United and Liverpool
this summer. And Upton Park chiefs David Sullivan and David Gold reckon new
Villa manager Alex McLeish - who they appointed at Birmingham when they were
in charge at St Andrew's - now wants Parker. With Villa soon to be flush
from Downing's £20m switch to Liverpool, West Ham believe they will firm up
their initial interest in Parker. McLeish is looking for a leader in the
mould of midfield dynamo Parker to build his side around. The Scot, who is
close to snapping up Manchester City keeper Shay Given, also wants Spurs
defender Alan Hutton, Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia and Fiorentina's
Peruvian wide-man Juan Manuel Vargas. N'Zogbia, 25, is a priority for Villa,
but Latics supremo Dave Whelan is putting up N'Zogbia's initial £9m
price-tag as he knows both the midlanders and Everton want him. N'Zogbia is
keen on a move to either club and is fuming about the hold-up. But he is
entering the last year of his contract and could yet sit tight and leave for
nothing next summer.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fulham don't make Gradel for Leeds star
Published 23:00 14/07/11 By Football Spy
The Mirror
Max Gradel wants to snub Fulham and West Ham for Champions League football
with French champs Lille. The Hammers have bid £1million for the 23-year-old
Leeds ace - while Martin Jol is keen on bringing him to Craven Cottage.
Lille have yet to make a move for Gradel, but the Ivory Coast winger is
holding out in the hope of hearing from them.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham set to sign Eidur Gudjohnsen on free transfer from Stoke
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff and agencies4:11PM BST 14 Jul 2011Comment
The 32-year-old Iceland international is due to undergo a medical ahead of a
move to Upton Park after he was released by Stoke City at the end of last
season. Premier League newcomers Swansea City were also interested in
Gudjohnsen but he is set to sign a one-year deal to link up with West Ham
and Sam Allardyce.
Gudjohnsen first came to prominence under Allardyce at Bolton 13 years ago,
where he scored 27 goals in 77 appearances before moving to Chelsea for
£5million.
He came close to signing for West Ham in January last year but at the last
minute decided to join Tottenham, and subsequent moves to Stoke and a loan
switch to Fulham saw him fail to find the net for either club. Nevertheless,
Allardyce wants Gudjohnsen to boost a forward line shorn of Demba Ba, Robbie
Keane and Victor Obinna following the club's relegation and with Carlton
Cole's future still uncertain. Stoke have agreed an initial fee of around
£4million for the striker but he has yet to agree personal terms. Yet
despite his likely departure, Cole came on as a substitute during West Ham's
2-1 friendly defeat by FC Basel in Switzerland last night.
Fellow England internationals Robert Green and Scott Parker did not feature
as speculation continues over their destinations next season. Green has
emerged as a target for West Brom boss Roy Hodgson while the West Ham are
open to the possibility of loaning Parker back to Chelsea for a year.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham on verge of signing Eidur Gudjohnsen
Published 15:43 14/07/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
West Ham are poised to sign former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur
Gudjohnsen. The 32-year-old Iceland international is due to undergo a
medical ahead of a move to Upton Park on a free transfer after he was
released by Stoke at the end of last season. Barclays Premier League
newcomers Swansea were also interested in Gudjohnsen but he is set to sign a
one-year deal to link up with new Hammers boss Sam Allardyce. Gudjohnsen
first came to prominence under Allardyce at Bolton 13 years ago, where he
scored 27 goals in 77 appearances before moving to Chelsea for £5million. He
came close to signing for West Ham in January last year but at the last
minute decided to join Tottenham, and subsequent moves to Stoke and a loan
switch to Fulham saw him fail to find the net for either club.
Nevertheless, Allardyce wants Gudjohnsen to boost a forward line shorn of
Demba Ba, Robbie Keane and Victor Obinna following the Hammers' relegation
and with Carlton Cole's future still uncertain. Stoke have agreed an initial
fee of around £4million for the striker but he has yet to agree personal
terms. Yet despite his likely departure, Cole came on as a substitute during
West Ham's 2-1 friendly defeat by FC Basel in Switzerland last night. Fellow
England internationals Robert Green and Scott Parker did not feature as
speculation continues over their destinations next season. Green has emerged
as a target for West Brom boss Roy Hodgson while the Hammers are open to the
possibility of loaning Parker back to Chelsea for a year.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce ready to offer O'Brien West Ham deal
By talkSPORT
Thursday, July 14
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is ready to offer a deal to former Bolton
midfielder Joey O'Brien if he can prove his fitness during the pre-season
campaign. O'Brien, 25, was released by Bolton during the summer after he was
sidelined for almost two years by a number of injuries which included having
part of a kneecap removed.
But the Republic of Ireland international is convinced his injury problems
are behind him after having a successful loan spell with Sheffield Wednesday
last season and has now joined West Ham on trial. O'Brien impressed
Allardyce during the club's pre-season tour to Switzerland and is now hoping
he can do enough to earn a permanent contract with the Championship club.
Allardyce said: "He is an outstanding player. For someone to play 28 times
in the Premier League at the age of 19 shows that he has a lot of talent and
if he is fit then he could be a very good player for us. "He has had a very
frustrating time with injuries over the last two and a half years because he
was misdiagnosed and then didn't receive the right treatment. "We will just
have to see how it goes with him. We have him until the end of pre-season
before we have to make a decision."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham prepared to part with Scott Parker for £8m transfer fee
A £7.5m bid has persuaded east London club to sell
Club still hopeful of signing Blackpool's DJ Campbell
Jamie Jackson
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 14 July 2011 18.36 BST
West Ham United will not now countenance a loan deal for Scott Parker, with
Chelsea being told they will have to pay the full £8m transfer fee to take
him to Stamford Bridge as the replacement for the injured Michael Essien.
West Ham had initially been willing to allow the England midfielder to go on
loan for a season for a fee of £4m plus the 30-year-old's wages, a
proposition André Villas-Boas, the manager, was keen on, though Chelsea's
own valuation was a price of £1.5m together with Parker's salary.
But a £7.5m bid to buy him outright received by West Ham yesterday, thought
to be from Aston Villa as an improved offer from Wednesday's £7m, has
persuaded the east London club they should sell Parker outright. West Ham
are rebuilding under Sam Allardyce, the new manager, as they attempt to
bounce straight back into the Premier League and want the finance from the
sale of Parker to continue this drive. Allardyce may soon be able to
announce the latest recruit to his squad as Eidur Gudjohnsen, the former
Chelsea and Fulham forward, took a medical at Upton Park. The 32-year-old
came close to signing in January 2010 but the deal fell through and the
Icelander joined Tottenham Hotspur.
If the deal is completed this time Gudjohnsen would become a West Ham player
on a free transfer. A decision will be made on Friday as Gudjohnsen will be
picking up a sizeable salary and the club want to establish that he is fully
committed. Allardyce hopes he can perform a similar role to that performed
by Teddy Sheringham, who at 38 joined before the 2004-05 season and whose
experience helped guide the club to promotion from the Championship that
campaign.
While West Ham are still hopeful of signing Blackpool's DJ Campbell – they
bid £1.25m over a month ago so it now depends on convincing the player to
sign – Carlton Cole is yet to complete his proposed move to Stoke City, with
the striker still potentially staying at the club.
During their pre-season training camp in Switzerland West Ham lost 2-1 to
both Young Boys Berne and FC Basel. Neil McDonald, Allardyce's assistant,
said: "We're trying to create an atmosphere that's positive after what
happened last season with the relegation, and we're trying to give them
information on how the manager wants to play. They haven't done it all the
time in the two games but they have done it and that's very, very
encouraging considering we've only been back to work for a week. It has been
a very, very long week. The lads have been training three times a day and
they are tired."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
helsea close to agreeing a permanent deal with West Ham United for old boy
Scott Parker
By Jason Burt, Deputy Football Correspondent11:48PM BST 14 Jul 2011Comment
Chelsea were on Thursday night considering whether to buy Scott Parker for
£8 million — rather than loaning him for a season as initially planned —
after other clubs finally started to make inquiries about the West Ham
United midfielder. West Ham have quoted a loan fee of £4 million to Chelsea
to take Parker for the forthcoming campaign and will also demand his
£65,000-a-week wages are paid in full. Chelsea will not offer to pay so much
for a loanee, and, in truth, West Ham would have accepted less, although
certainly more than £2 million. However, Chelsea are now debating whether to
sign Parker on a permanent basis — he is available for £8 million — after
Aston Villa, in particular, stepped up their pursuit. Indeed it could be
that Chelsea have to raise their bid to £9 million, which would be
remarkable given they acquired Parker in 2004 for £10 million and then sold
him a year later for around £6.5 million to Newcastle United. It is
understood that Parker, who still lives close to Chelsea's training ground
in Cobham, Surrey, is keen to join his former club and although West Ham
were interested in a loan deal it may be best for the Championship club to
agree a permanent transfer for the 30 year-old if their demands are met.
The serious knee injury to Michael Essien has concentrated Chelsea's minds
on improving their midfield options. Their main priority remains signing
Luka Modric from Tottenham Hotspur with the midfielder now understood to
have submitted a formal transfer request to try to push through the move.
They are also interested in Porto left-back/left midfielder Alvaro Pereira.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is adamant that Modric is not for sale and has
rejected Chelsea's opening offer of £22 million and an improved bid of £27
million. It is now expected that Chelsea will return with a new offer of at
least £30 million and could go as high as £35 million, with add-ons, to sign
the 25 year-old. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp said on Thursday that he was
not aware whether Modric had submitted a formal transfer request — the club
are insistent one has not been received while sources close to the player
claim he personally delivered it to Levy — but added: "We know he wants to
leave, whether he writes it down on a piece of paper doesn't really make any
difference to our stance. He's a great player and we don't want to lose
him." Modric is with the rest of the Spurs squad on the pre-season tour to
South Africa. West Ham are today hoping to announce the signing of former
Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen on a free transfer
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West Ham to clinch Eidur Gudjohnsen transfer
By Andy Sims, PA
Thursday, 14 July 2011SHARE PRINTEMAILTEXT SIZE NORMALLARGEEXTRA LARGE
Independent
West Ham are poised to sign former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur
Gudjohnsen. The 32-year-old Iceland international is due to undergo a
medical ahead of a move to Upton Park on a free transfer after he was
released by Stoke at the end of last season. Barclays Premier League
newcomers Swansea were also interested in Gudjohnsen but he is set to sign a
one-year deal to link up with new Hammers boss Sam Allardyce. Gudjohnsen
first came to prominence under Allardyce at Bolton 13 years ago, where he
scored 27 goals in 77 appearances before moving to Chelsea for £5million. He
came close to signing for West Ham in January last year but at the last
minute decided to join Tottenham, and subsequent moves to Stoke and a loan
switch to Fulham saw him fail to find the net for either club. Nevertheless,
Allardyce wants Gudjohnsen to boost a forward line shorn of Demba Ba, Robbie
Keane and Victor Obinna following the Hammers' relegation and with Carlton
Cole's future still uncertain. Stoke have agreed an initial fee of around
£4million for the striker but he has yet to agree personal terms. Yet
despite his likely departure, Cole came on as a substitute during West Ham's
2-1 friendly defeat by FC Basel in Switzerland last night. Fellow England
internationals Robert Green and Scott Parker did not feature as speculation
continues over their destinations next season. Green has emerged as a target
for West Brom boss Roy Hodgson while the Hammers are open to the possibility
of loaning Parker back to Chelsea for a year.
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Former Chelsea striker Gudjohnsen set for Allardyce reunion at West Ham
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 3:54 PM on 14th July 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham are poised to sign former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur
Gudjohnsen. The 32-year-old Iceland international is due to undergo a
medical ahead of a move to Upton Park on a free transfer after he was
released by Stoke at the end of last season. Barclays Premier League
newcomers Swansea were also interested in Gudjohnsen but he is set to sign a
one-year deal to link up with new Hammers boss Sam Allardyce. Gudjohnsen
first came to prominence under Allardyce at Bolton 13 years ago, where he
scored 27 goals in 77 appearances before moving to Chelsea for £5m. He came
close to signing for West Ham in January last year but at the last minute
decided to join Tottenham, and subsequent moves to Stoke and a loan switch
to Fulham saw him fail to find the net for either club. Nevertheless,
Allardyce wants Gudjohnsen to boost a forward line shorn of Demba Ba, Robbie
Keane and Victor Obinna following the Hammers' relegation and with Carlton
Cole's future still uncertain. Stoke have agreed an initial fee of around
£4million for the striker but he has yet to agree personal terms. Yet
despite his likely departure, Cole came on as a substitute during West Ham's
2-1 friendly defeat by FC Basel in Switzerland last night. Fellow England
internationals Robert Green and Scott Parker did not feature as speculation
continues over their destinations next season. Green has emerged as a
target for West Brom boss Roy Hodgson while the Hammers are open to the
possibility of loaning Parker back to Chelsea for a year.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wigan on alert as Barrera's move to Zaragoza in balance
By talkSPORT
Thursday, July 14
Pablo Barrera will consider a move elsewhere if Real Zaragoza fail to agree
a deal with West Ham in the next two weeks. Barrera has been strongly linked
with a move to the Spanish club and the chance to join up with his former
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre, who is now in charge of Real Zaragoza. The
Mexico international is keen to end his nightmare spell at Upton Park after
failing to make any impact with the east London club following his £4m move
last summer. Barrera was a star performer for Mexico at the Gold Cup this
summer and is determined to get his career back on track. But reports in
Spain suggest that the deal is hanging in the balance and the move could
fall through if personal issues are not resolved. Wigan and several clubs in
France have also been linked with the 24-year-old and they could step up
their interest if Real Zaragoza fail to conclude a deal.
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West Ham insist on commitment to Bobby Moore Fund
London24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Thursday, July 14, 2011
2:44 PM
West Ham United insist that their commitment to the Bobby Moore Fund is as
strong as ever, despite stinging criticism of the club following their
decision to remove the charity name from their junior shirts this season.
The three-year agreement between the charity, set up in memory of their most
famous player, and West Ham, ended back in July and the Hammers have decided
not to negotiate a new one. But they stress that does not mean the
partnership between the two will come to an end.
"We are totally committed to the Bobby Moore Fund and to the Richard House
Hospice and will continue to be," said a West Ham spokesman. "We have raised
£34,000 for the fund just from the royalties from the BMF merchandise alone
and our sponsors - SBOBET - made a donation of £10,000 last season at the
friendly match against Deportivo La Coruna. "We have also raised the
awareness of the fund and we will certainly continue to do so. If you asked
people what charity is associated with West Ham, then a lot would know the
answer."
West Ham were criticised last season when the Bobby Moore Cup, the
traditional name for the Hammers pre-season international friendly, was
changed to the SBOBET Cup as a thank you to the club sponsors. This season's
match against Real Zaragoza on July 30 may well be called something
different again, but West Ham insist that they will still be endeavouring to
make everyone aware of the Bobby Moore Fund throughout the new campaign. "We
want to continue our relationship with the Bobby Moore Fund and hopefully
when we move to the Olympic Stadium, the partnership will come with us - our
commitment to the fund and to Bobby Moore as one of our greatest players is
a vital one to us."
West Ham have replaced the Fund logo on their junior shirts with one of the
Olympic stadium and the words 'Forever United', something that provoked
condemnation from fans on various websites. But the spokesman commented:
"The Olympics is in our borough and it is something we would want to
celebrate, even if we weren't going to move there."
When asked by the Recorder for a comment from the Bobby Moore Fund, they
issued this statement: "Stephanie Moore MBE is Bobby's widow and founder of
the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK. Unfortunately Stephanie is not
available for comment on this matter."
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