Page last updated at 13:11 GMT, Sunday, 17 July 2011 14:11 UK
BBC.co.uk
Carlton Cole insists he remains as committed as ever to West Ham after his
proposed move to Stoke fell through. The Potters had agreed a fee for the
27-year-old - who had not asked for a transfer - but his wages proved a
stumbling block to the move on Friday. "I am as committed to West Ham as
always," he told the club's website. "There has been a lot of things
reported, that it was a done deal I was moving to another club. But that is
not the case and I want our fans to know." He added: "I am a West Ham player
and have no knowledge that is going to be any different. "Unless I am told
something different, I am a West Ham player and will be doing my all for the
team."
A West Ham spokesman told BBC Sport on Friday that negotiations between Cole
and Stoke did not break down because he asked for too much money. "He was
discussing wage parity with other key players and was well within his right
to do so," the spokesman added. The Hammers, who were relegated to the
Championship last season, also dismissed reports that Cole had an ongoing
injury problem. Stoke chairman Peter Coates confirmed on Tuesday that a fee
- believed to be an initial £4m with a possible £2m in add-ons - had been
agreed, although he also questioned Cole's fitness. "Cole has got an injury
problem and he's always had that," said Coates. Cole is now preparing for
Wednesday's friendly at FC Copenhagen, and insists that he is ready for what
will be a demanding season in the Championship as they seek immediate
promotion back to the Premier League. The England international joined West
Ham from Chelsea in July 2006 and has scored 42 goals in 165 appearances.
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Cole committed to Hammers
Striker ready to stay after Stoke move collapses
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: July
17, 2011 1:32pm
SSN
Carlton Cole insists he remains as committed as ever to West Ham after
seeing his move to Stoke fall through. The England international's proposed
move to Stoke fell through on Friday after the Hammers had already accepted
an undisclosed bid for his services. The exact reason as to why the deal
collapsed is not known although West Ham released a statement suggesting the
England international was unable to agree personal terms, at the same time
dismissing reports of an injury as well as speculation his wage demands were
too high. Cole insists he is happy to stay at Upton Park and help them try
and win promotion back to the Premier League unless he is told otherwise. "I
am a West Ham player and have no knowledge that is going to be any
different. Unless I am told something different, I am a West Ham player and
will be doing my all for the team. " "I am as committed to West Ham as
always," Cole told the club's official website. "I am a West Ham player and
have no knowledge that is going to be any different. Unless I am told
something different, I am a West Ham player and will be doing my all for the
team. "There has been a lot of things reported and that it was a done deal
that I was moving to another club, but that is not the case and I want our
fans to know, unless I am told anything different, I am as committed as ever
to the team and getting the club back in the Premier League."
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Redknapp rules out purchase of costly Parker
ESPN staff
July 17, 2011
ESPN
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has ruled out any potential move for Scott
Parker, declaring the deal to be too costly. Interest in England
international Parker is high following West Ham's relegation to the
Championship, with Aston Villa, Chelsea and Tottenham amongst those linked
with a bid. The Hammers have also made it known that they would consider
releasing the midfielder on loan for the right fee. However, Redknapp has
ruled out any move for Parker, telling the Sunday Mirror that Tottenham
would not sanction the money involved. The north London club generally stick
to a policy of targeting younger players, and Parker does not fit that
criteria.
"If you take into account the fee of around £8 million, signing-on fees and
wages, you're talking about a £30 million deal," Redknapp said. "There is no
way the club would sanction a deal for a 30-year-old who would have no
resale value at the end of his contract." However, the situation could
change if Luka Modric manages to secure a transfer out of Tottenham. Modric
has made it known that he wants to join Chelsea and, depending on the time
Spurs are left with to find a replacement, Parker may represent the best
short-term option should the Croatian get his wish.
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Former Gillingham assistant manager Ian Hendon makes first appearance as
development coach at West Ham United
KentOnline.co.uk
Ian Hendon made his first showing in West Ham colours on Saturday afternoon.
Hendon, who has spent the last year working as number two to Andy
Hessenthaler at Gillingham, has been appointed as development coach with the
Championship outfit. No official announcement has been made by either club
about Hendon's switch, with Gills chairman Paul Scally insisting last week
that the deal was far from complete. Hendon, pictured, watched West Ham's
friendly match against Bishop's Stortford from the bench at the weekend
along with first-team coach Wally Downes, who spent a brief time coaching
the Gills last season. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has worked with Hendon
previously at Notts County, where he made him captain during the club's
promotion-winning campaign from Division 3. Hendon's exit means Hessenthaler
could be looking for a new number two. At present he has been receiving help
on match days from community manager Pete Sawyer and fitness coach Barry
Rowden.
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Hodgson pondering a move for West Ham striker Cole after Stoke snub
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:59 PM on 17th July 2011
Daily Mail
West Brom are considering a move for West Ham striker Carlton Cole following
the collapse of his £4.2million move to Stoke. Cole declared his commitment
to the West Ham cause on Sunday despite their desire to get him off the wage
bill. Albion, on tour in the US, will hold a meeting with former Manchester
United midfielder Owen Hargreaves in Portland on Wednesday. Manager Roy
Hodgson has concerns about his fitness but sporting and technical director
Dan Ashworth said: 'If he is fit to play in the Premier League, it is a
no-brainer.'
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Parker in Villa's sights while McLeish starts £20m spree with N'Zogbia
By Sam Wallace, Football Correspondent
Monday, 18 July 2011
The Independent
Alex McLeish hopes to persuade Scott Parker to join Aston Villa this week,
when the new Villa manager looks to begin spending the proceeds of Stewart
Downing's £20m sale on Charles N'Zogbia, Shay Given and the West Ham
captain.
The deal with Wigan Athletic for N'Zogbia has already been agreed and the
player, who will cost around £10m, should sign this week. Manchester City
want £5m for Given and have already rejected a bid of £2m from Villa but
should settle for between £3m and £4m.
Parker, 30, has been looked at by Arsenal and Tottenham as a possible
acquisition this summer. Spurs have been slow off the mark in this transfer
window with chairman Daniel Levy focusing his efforts on selling around six
squad players – they have taken 28 on tour to South Africa – including David
Bentley, Jermaine Jenas and Wilson Palacios before he starts sanctioning new
signings.
McLeish hopes that he can use the Downing money from Liverpool to sign
Parker this week. The midfielder is valued at around £9m and has been the
subject of interest from his former club Chelsea, who would like him on
loan. For Villa, a return of three players with the revenue from Downing
shows why the club were prepared to sell the England winger. The club are
also on the look-out for a left-back, with Stephen Warnock keen to move back
to the north-west.
The former Villa manager Gérard Houllier claimed yesterday that he still had
"unfinished business" in the game even though heart problems in April
eventually forced him to step down from the manager's job. He said he would
"definitely be linked with football" in the future.
"We had a case of unfinished business [at Villa]," he added. "There was an
option of leaving the team to Gary McAllister, who was my assistant, and I
would come back in September but the chairman and owner wanted to go another
route and I have to respect that. We left on good terms, no acrimony.
"I just want to make sure I get fit again and then we'll see. But I will
follow the doctors' advice and if the advice is not to get back into
management, I won't. The strong advice was not to go back to business until
the end of September but they are happy with the recovery."
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