05/06/2007 22:17
Mark Noble made his debut and Nigel Reo-Coker scored his first goal for England Under-21s on Tuesday night, as the young Lions romped to a 5-0 friendly win over Slovakia. In their warm-up game before the European Under-21 Championship finals in Holland, which start on Sunday, Stuart Pearce's team enjoyed a comfortable victory at Carrow Road thanks to goals from Keiran Richardson, Reo-Coker, Steven Taylor, Tom Huddlestone and Leroy Lita. Noble was introduced as a half-time substitute and made a solid debut in an attacking midfield position, while captain Reo-Coker was replaced by Lita minutes after making it 2-0. The third Hammer in the squad, Anton Ferdinand, was an unused substitute after picking up a slight groin injury this week in training. England face their first European Championship finals group game on Monday, against the Czech Republic in Arnhem.
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Aston Villa bid £7m for Reo-Coker - BBC
Aston Villa have made a £7m bid for West Ham captain Nigel Reo-Coker. The 23-year-old handed in a transfer request at Upton Park at the end of the season and boss Alan Curbishley said he would listen to offers of about £8m. Reo-Coker, who is also the England Under-21 skipper, has also been linked with Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle. West Ham are in discussions with a potential replacement already, as they have agreed a fee with Newcastle over the £8m signing of Scott Parker.
The Hammers also had an offer accepted by Manchester City for Joey Barton, but he is having a medical at Newcastle instead. Villa boss Martin O'Neill has made it clear that a midfielder is amongst his priorities this summer to play alongside Stiliyan Petrov. O'Neill is also keeping tabs on the West Brom trio of Jason Koumas, Paul Robinson and Paul McShane. Reo-Coker joined West Ham from Wimbledon in January 2004 for £500,000.
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On target and out the door? - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 5th June 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Nigel Reo-Coker scored what may be his last ever goal as a West Ham United player tonight. The England under-21 skipper scored the second of England's five goals against Slovakia at Norwich's Carrow Road ground in tonight's international friendly - just hours after it was revealed that Aston Villa had lodged a £7m bid for his services. Tony Finnigan, Reo-Coker's agent refused to be drawn on the deal later in the day but admitted that "what has been in the papers isn't far wrong."
Reo-Coker joined the Hammers in a £500,000 switch from Wimbledon in January 2004. He was made club captain by Alan Pardew later that season - a position he held until the arrival of Lucas Neill, who is set to replace him next season. His signalled his desire to leave West Ham last week when he requested a transfer.
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'West Ham's racism': a response - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 5th June 2007
By: Gordon Thrower
I've seen some appalling journalism written about my club over the past year or so. A lot of it stems from poor journalistic standards coupled with a desire to sensationalise in order to sell newspapers.
Then there is the purely ignorant. David "Fulham. No Chelsea" Mellor's weekly column in the Evening Standard is pure comedy gold for anyone with a decent sense of irony. Normally one can ignore such ramblings in the hope that an intelligent reader can make up his or her own mind and, in the case of Mellor, presumably the newspaper income, keeps him off the streets and frightening the children.
However once in a while you come across something that is so obnoxious, so insultingly wrong, that it borders on the actionable. I refer of course to an article that appeared on a website written by Emdad Rahman. His article has prompted a massive response and, whilst one abhors any suggestion of abuse, I felt strongly enough about what I consider to be one of the most ignorant pieces of rubbish it has ever been my displeasure to read – and bear in mind that I've read nearly all the drivel we've been subjected to by Dave "Slave Labour at reasonable rates" Whelan and Kevin "Wot No Brain" McCabe in recent weeks.
Let's start at the beginning of Mr Rahman's spectacular spot of foot in mouth disease:
Let's get one thing straight right from the onset - West Ham should have been relegated for cheating. The ONLY reason they got let off was because they were a bigger draw than their relegation rivals.
Well I suppose if you're going to start an article with lie you may as well make it a big one. A question.: What evidence do you suppose Mr Rahman has for this accusation? The answer: None whatsoever.
A cursory glance at the Independent Commission's report on the whole affair should tell you all you need to know. Obviously I'm not part of the club these days – my share having disappeared in the general direction of Iceland last year with all the others. However if I were somehow involved in the running of the club I'd be getting mightily fed up with people continuing to perpetrate this libel and a few words from my learned friends might focus Mr Rahman's mind a bit.
The other bee in my bonnet (or hat) for that matter stems from the racism factor at the club. West Ham are still very much a 'white' club. I absolutely loathe West Ham and their racist fans, surprising considering I once had a soft spot for them during my childhood, along with Manchester's premier club of the sky blue variety.
Now call me old fashioned or naïve or whatever but I was not aware that there was a list of white clubs and non-white clubs. Maybe Mr Rahman could enlighten us as to the clubs he considers to be white and which ones he considers to be non-white. Mr Rahman informs us that because we are a "white" club this makes us all racists and, as a result he loathes us. I understand that there is a word for the hatred of someone based on the colour of their skin. Perhaps Mr Rahman could inform us as to what that word is? Better still maybe Mr Rahman could explain why his hatred of me as a white person who holds a season ticket at the Boleyn does not constitute racism?
And yes, before you start chatting breeze with regards to massive away support I'd like to mention that swindling, tax dodging and unlawful earnings go a hell of a long way towards subsidising a good trip up North. .
Now here's a funny thing. I know a lot about tax dodging and unlawful earnings. It just so happens that I used to work as a taxman. It's ok guys you can still talk to me – I left a long, long while ago and I now defend people against the excesses of HM Revenue & Customs rather than working for them. I spent a long while working with the rather grand title of "Investigator" for a department called Special Trade Investigation Unit. My job was to detect tax evasion in places like the clothing sweatshops that populate various parts of London. It's fair to say that, at the time, that industry left a lot to be desired in the compliance stakes – which is why the special unit existed in the first place.
Many of those units were run by the Bengali community. If I applied the same logic as that applied by Mr Rahman to his rather poorly structured diatribe my next step would be to brand all Bengalis as tax dodging dole cheats. Mr Rahman would no doubt be up in arms at such a comment – and rightly so. It would be unfair to draw a sweeping generalised conclusion based on an illogical racial stereotype. Quite why Mr Rahman should think he is exempt from such conventions I have no idea but I have no intention in stooping to his level on this one.
A browse through an analysis report from the Norman Chester Centre for Football Research made fascinating reading. I learned that that in 1978, sympathisers of the National Front were leafleted outside a number of League grounds, being especially active at key London venues, notably West Ham, Chelsea, Millwall, and Arsenal, following the launch of the National Front youth newspaper 'Bulldog' in 1977. ( University of Liecester ) .
I agree these documents make fascinating reading. So do old copies of Private Eye magazine – and they have about as much relevance to modern life. We learn that about 30 years ago a far right organisation leafleted football grounds. It's a fascinating history lesson to be sure and I find it worrying to note that because I am white and I frequent a place outside which racist material used to be circulated when I was a teenager I am, by Mr Rahman's logic, a racist. This apparently applies irrespective of how distasteful I might have found the material being circulated at the time or even whether I stooped so low as to even bother read the vile stuff.
However, where does this leave Mr Rahman? – after all he tells us that he'd be a Millwall supporter if he had a London team and Millwall is noted as one of those places leafleted all those years ago. However I think I can help Mr Rahman out on this one. The New Den isn't the same place as was being targeted by the National Front back then – they've moved grounds. So Mr Rahman can go to the New Den safe in the knowledge that he is not attending a place where racist material was circulated, possibly before he was born. He will no doubt be thankful to learn that he's not racist and I can only look forward to the day we move into our new ground so I can stop being a racist too.
Apart from the racism West Ham fans are just plain nasty. That horrible picture of Paul Ince, head down and being subjected to a tirade of verbal volleys at the Boleyn is forever etched in my memory. The bile directed towards Frankie Lampard and the acceptance of the prodigal son, the club spearhead, the has-been Lee Bowyer was definitely keeping things ticking in the traditional Hammers way. .
So much ignorance in one place it's difficult to know where to start. The disingenuous mention of Ince in the same breath as racism makes a link between the two despite appearing to suggest the opposite is true. Whether this was a deliberate juxtaposition of ideas by Mr Rahman I do not know.
From the rest of his poorly written article I'd suggest that he isn't that clever. However it is still worth pointing out that Ince gets abuse because he posed in a Man Utd shirt whilst still a Hammer and because of the disgraceful way he acted whilst at the club – I still have memories of him stood in the centre circle with his hands on his hips refusing to play in a match that was going on about him. It has absolutely nothing to do with the colour of his skin.
Should you require evidence of this Mr Rahman you've already provided it by citing the example of the decidedly white but equally as obnoxious Lampard who has a dig at West Ham at every ghost-written and well paid opportunity. Nasty? Well the last time we played Chelsea Joe Cole played and when his name was announced he was greeted with warm and generous applause. Nasty us, we were obviously trying to confuse the poor lad by being nice to him.
Bowyer? Well from my far from lofty position at KUMB towers I'd say that a majority of Hammers have no time for him. From a personal view I have similar distaste for the antics of Shaun Newton last year. The club retained his services. Does that make all West Ham Supporters apologists for the drug trade? No of course not. We had no control over the club's decision to retain Newton's services just as we had no control over the decision to sign Bowyer.
I could go on dissecting Mr Rahman's article to the n'th level but frankly it's getting late and I've been writing this for hours as it is. Anyone who thinks Clyde Best wasn't popular at the Boleyn clearly wasn't there at the time and frankly speaks from a position of such ignorance I feel almost feel sorry for the bloke.
BUT: there is one vain hope that I will wake up tomorrow and find that this has all been an elaborate wind-up and it is this:
"There were progressive managers, such as Ron Atkinson of West Bromwich Albion, who had three outstanding black players - the late Laurie Cunningham, a thrilling winger who ended up at Real Madrid, Cyrille Regis and Brendon Batson." .
Ron Atkinson? Whatever happened to him? Perhaps Mr Rahman would like to start a campaign to get him back on our TV screens so he can share his "progressive" views with the world once more. Let us know how you get on Mr Rahman – I wish you the best of luck.
I would however suggest that in future if you are going to pontificate (if you'll permit me the use of that verb in its non-religious sense) to the world on a subject you should at least research the matter lest someone as irritating as me should come along and expose your own ignorance and prejudices.
Or as the old KUMB adage goes: "'tis sometimes better to remain silent and be thought of as stupid than it is to open your mouth and remove all doubt".
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Villa make Reo-Coker bid - Sky
By Lewis Rutledge - Created on 5 Jun 2007
Aston Villa have made a £7million bid for West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker. Skysports.com revealed last week that the Hammers captain had asked for a transfer after becoming disillusioned with life at Upton Park. He claimed he had felt unwanted since January and was looking to leave West Ham to resurrect his career. The England Under 21 international is thought to be available, as Alan Curbishley is hoping to bring in Scott Parker from Newcastle. Tottenham and Newcastle were among a number of clubs to be linked with Reo-Coker, but Villa are the first to make an official move. Martin O'Neill is aiming to strengthen his squad this summer after being promised funds by owner Randy Lerner. He has tested West Ham's resolve with a substantial offer, although Curbishley may decide to let a bidding war play out.
Sky Sports News also understands that Villa have made an approach for Celtic's Shunsuke Nakamura. Villa have yet to make a bid but are interested to see whether Celtic could be tempted to part with the Japanese midfielder.
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Good Luck Marlon! - West Ham Till I Die
June 5th, 2007
Marlon Harewood is on his way. He's been told he is surplus to requirements at Upton Park by Alan Curbishley. I'll be quite sad to see him go in many ways. On his day he could be frightening, but when he wasn't on his day he could also be frightening… His reaction to the news spoke volumes about the man…
"I think it's time for me to leave West Ham. I've had four good years at the club but now it's time for me to find a new challenge. I've had a chat with the new manager and he obviously wants to bring his own players in — it happens everywhere. I want to be playing football, I love it. I had a great season before last for West Ham playing 43 games and scoring 16 goals but last season wasn't the best for me. I'm so up for next season. I just can't wait to be scoring again and winning games for a team — that's what I want to be doing."
No bitterness, no recriminations. Good luck Marlon, we'll miss you.
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Big Sam wraps up first Toon signing - TeamTalk
Sam Allardyce made his first signing for Newcastle on Tuesday night when he beat West Ham to the £5.5million capture of Joey Barton. The 24-year-old is understood to have agreed a five-year deal after undergoing a medical on Tuesday afternoon following talks with the Magpies' boss. Manchester City midfielder Barton headed across the Pennines after being given permission to talk to Newcastle, and arrived at the club's Darsley Park training ground along with Allardyce. He left with Newcastle physio Derek Wright several hours later to start the medical as agent Willie McKay continued negotiations at St James' Park, but later made his way to the stadium to seal his move. Neither the Magpies nor City have yet confirmed the deal, although they are expected to do so later on Wednesday. On leaving St James' on Tuesday Barton told Sky Sports News: "It's very close now. "I was impressed by the stadium and everything else that goes with it." Allardyce appears to have successfully sold the club to a man ready to launch a new phase of his career after the training ground bust-up with team-mate Ousmane Dabo which hastened his exit from Eastlands. The manager's powers of persuasion could hardly have been put to more timely use with the Hammers ready to offer Barton an equally lucrative alternative after also agreeing a fee with City. Barton's situation was directly linked to West Ham's efforts to sign Newcastle captain Scott Parker, whose proposed move to Upton Park should now be completed with the Magpies having secured his replacement.
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Benayoun 'no' to £50k a week - This Is London ( eh!!?? I thought this was a done deal on 25th May - Peter R)
06.06.07
Alan Curbishley faces a massive fight to hang on to Yossi Benayoun after it emerged that the West Ham midfielder has turned down a five-year contract at Upton Park worth £50,000 a week. The shock was revealed on the day West Ham received a £7million bid from Aston Villa for Nigel Reo-Coker. Manager Curbishley had believed that Benayoun would remain at Upton Park after they preserved their Premiership status. The Israel midfielder is a firm favourite at the club, but he believes he can play for a team competing in the top four of the Premiership, despite the Hammers being prepared to triple his £18,000-a-week salary. However, Curbishley will refine a squad who narrowly escaped relegation. Marlon Harewood was told yesterday he could leave, with Everton striker Andy Johnson wanted as a replacement. Curbishley will start the bidding for the England striker at around £13m, but Everton will listen only if they increase their offer to around £20m. England Under 21 skipper Reo-Coker, on duty last night against Slovakia, is expected to quit Upton Park after Villa manager Martin O'Neill formalised his interest. The midfielder has been a long-time O'Neill target and his arrival at Villa will start a flurry of activity funded by billionaire owner Randy Lerner. Reo-Coker fell out of favour with fans during West Ham's horrendous start to last season, and Scott Parker's arrival has pushed him out of the picture. Unconfirmed reports from Scotland suggest O'Neill also wants to sign midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura from his old club Celtic. Lerner is determined to make Villa known internationally and the capture of the Japan midfielder would have wide appeal in the Far East. However, manager Gordon Strachan would resist any move.
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O'NEILL IN REO DEAL - The Mirror
06/06/2007
MARTIN O'NEILL has made a £7m bid for West Ham's want-away midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker. The Villa boss has been tracking the England Under-21 skipper for several months and has now firmed up his interest with an offer. Reo-Coker believes he needs to move away from Upton Park to revitalise his career. O'Neill is also interested in signing Wesley Sneijder after Ajax rejected Valencia's £8m offer. Armed with funds from chairman Randy Lerner, O'Neill is in a position to come up with the £10m asking price.
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West Ham: A day on… - Soccerlens
Written by number7.
http://soccerlens.com/west-ham-a-day-on/12191943.html
Ed's note: If you're reading this story for the first time, please read this article and its response, and please keep your comments civil.
by Number 7
I returned home from work this evening and had a bottle thrown at me whilst being abused for my piece on West Ham this morning. And before you pipe in with "you reap what you sow", I'd like to say I'm no shrinking violet either and am not at all surprised that two thugs decided to take a step further.
Two days after 7/7 my car was smashed by 2 (drunk) West Ham shirt wearing thugs, who proceeded to use a car steering lock to rearrange my front windscreen. No provocation involved and I didn't even realise what was going on until the third blow. A fan in the West Ham store in Ilford Exchange said whilst speaking on the phone; "I've just found Bin Laden, is there a reward on offer? What's the world come to when we need glory hunting Pakis for fans." My son was with me and I stifled my reaction with the utmost effort whilst clamping down on my tongue. My cowardice at not replying to this moron riled me for days.
In another incident soon after, a male with a West Ham cap barged past me in the shopping centre near my home and cursed me for the death of Iraq hostage Kenneth Bigley. He called me an infidel and I swore at him as we squared up. I told him I paid more tax than he earned and had single-handedly raised funs for a Christmas party last December, that would not have taken place had I not run a half marathon to raise funds. I'd like to think that my reasoning saw him off and I felt I was walking on water after that great spiel.
Yes, maybe I do have a chip on my shoulder. I was hit with a table leg on Upton lane by two shirted hammers fans once for stopping them harassing a female at a bus stop. I was on a District Line train when a shirted female fan pointing towards me, dragged her partner off the train screaming; "I'd rather be late than blown up."
Last week I was cuffed by a racist shirt wearing Hammer after I decided to give him a quick lesson on the give way rules of the road. This was the sixth incident with West Ham connections since 7/7 and it pushed me over the edge. It led me to carry out the drastic task of putting pen to paper.
I'm not making any excuses but I do have previous experiences as being a target of racist behavior from West Ham fans. Whether the readers think I'm right (only one reader – see below) or wrong is your choice but I penned my opinion and I stand by that. I did not in any way condone the Atkinson – Desailly incident but wanted to highlight his faith in nurturing and developing star quality black players, whilst others may have been holding back. He was progressive, in that he had the guts to really bring on black players, when it wasn't fashionable to do so.
J Miller congratulations and welcome to the world of non white people.
Darren Wells; Where have I made any negative mention of the Israeli wizard Benayoun? On the same point John Hartson's mate Eyal Berkovic is one of my all time great Premiership footballers.
The Indian guy who admitted being part of the contingent that taunted Mido, I'm sure you're Mother is very proud of you. Go take your BO sweat stained B&Q shirt off, hasn't anybody told you to change after your shifts over?
In a day of hurricanes and typhoons, the only reader that may have backed me with regards to my West Ham piece is Beckton boy who wrote:
I am bemused…not at the original article, but at the torrent of replies stating "I've been a hammer for xxx years and never seen any racism"!!!! Well, I been living in Beckton for 5 or 6 years and had the pleasure of visiting Upton Park at least 6 or 7 times, and on every occasion I have seen some truly sickening abuse! Maybe the "Happy Hammers" are so use to it that they no longer realise it's going on? They are by far the worst and most racist set of fans I've had the dubious pleasure of encountering - in my opinion the world would be a far nicer place without them!
The article allowed me to carry out my own social experiment, to see whether it was just me, a sensitive Muslim with a chip on the shoulder who reacted over the top as I am often accused, or whether all human beings reacted in likeable manner to criticism, fair or otherwise.
It's been a very interesting day and I've learned a hell of a lot. The plus side is I've got two invites for separate West Ham matches next season and I've accepted both. I won't say when for obvious reasons, but rest assured I won't be Herbie the Hammer for the day.
I'm not expecting any sympathy, I just needed to say my piece. I've just become a victim of what I described. You won guys. Better in my case to keep schtum as it's just not worth it in the long run.
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Everton chief: AJ agent says he'll stay
tribalfooball.com - June 05, 2007
Everton chief Keith Wyness has been assured by the agent of Andy Johnson that he isn't interested in joining West Ham. Wyness said: "I spoke to Andy's agent and he reassured me that Andrew is completely happy at Everton. It's just the usual summer madness. "The same story also suggested we are struggling to raise funds to buy certain players which is also completely wide of the mark."
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Portsmouth, Man City move for Harewood
tribalfooball.com - June 05, 2007
West Ham striker Marlon Harewood is wanted by three Premiership rivals after confirming yesterday he was leaving Upton Park. Portsmouth, Manchester City and Wigan have all shown interest in Harewood, 27, who should fetch £4million. He said: "I've had four good years at West Ham but now it's time for me to find a new challenge."
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Birmingham close in on West Ham's Konchesky
tribalfooball.com - June 05, 2007
Birmingham City can snap up West Ham fullback Paul Konchesky for £3 million. Hammers boss Alan Curbishley is eager to move Konchesky on as he seeks to add to his already huge transfer kitty.
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West Ham seek Cole, Mullins buyers
tribalfooball.com - June 05, 2007
West Ham are listening to offers for striker Carlton Cole. The Independent says the Hammers want a fee for Cole and Hayden Mullins, but have handed goalkeeper Roy Carroll a free transfer.
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West Ham must go to £20M for Everton's Johnson
tribalfooball.com - June 05, 2007
West Ham United will have to break the bank to prise Andy Johnson away from Everton. The Daily Mail says Marlon Harewood was told yesterday he could leave, with Everton striker Johnson wanted as a replacement. Curbishley will start the bidding for the England striker at around £13m, but Everton will listen only if they increase their offer to around £20m.
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Newcastle tie up deal for £5.5m Barton
Louise Taylor
Wednesday June 6, 2007
The Guardian
Joey Barton became Sam Allardyce's first signing when Newcastle United sealed a £5.5m deal for the Manchester City midfielder. Last night he completed a medical on Tyneside and opted to head to the north-east rather than follow up West Ham United's interest.
He signed a five-year deal, believed to be worth £70,000 a week in wages, and should soon be joined at St James' by the Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka.
West Ham still harboured faint hopes of hijacking the deal last night but Newcastle remained confident that they would not be gazumped at the end of a day that began with Viduka, out of contract at Middlesbrough, assuring Allardyce that he had decided "in principle" to swap Teesside for Tyneside.
The deal will not be formalised until the Australian international's return to England from holiday abroad but sources close to him insisted yesterday that he would "definitely not" change his mind despite being coveted by Birmingham City, Portsmouth, West Ham and the Italian club Genoa.
Barton seems to have long had his heart set on joining Newcastle and spent the early part of the afternoon in discussions with Allardyce at the club's training ground before leaving for his medical with Derek Wright, Newcastle's chief physiotherapist. Meanwhile Willie McKay, Barton's agent, was at St James' Park negotiating personal terms on behalf of his client.
Those talks are believed to have included the possible insertion of a clause in Barton's contract dictating that Newcastle would be financially protected in the event of his being sent to prison this year. The midfielder is on police bail after an alleged assault on his City team-mate Ousmane Dabo. With Dabo apparently determined to press charges, the matter could reach court in the autumn.
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Villa prepared to offer £7m for Reo-Coker - Telegraph
By William Gray
Last Updated: 12:28am BST 06/06/2007
Aston Villa have made a £7 million bid for West Ham captain Nigel Reo-Coker. Villa manager Martin O'Neill has been tracking midfielder Reo-Coker, who is also captain of the England Under-21 side, for several months. Reo-Coker, who cost West Ham £500,000 three years ago, has also been linked with a move to Newcastle in part exchange for Scott Parker, who is bound for Upton Park.
That deal does not look like materialising now that Joey Barton is going from Manchester City to St James' Park as a replacement for Parker. Reo-Coker was believed to have also interested Arsenal during the January transfer window. West Ham striker Marlon Harewood has been told he can leave the club. Wigan, Manchester City and Portsmouth have been linked with a £4 million deal.
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West Ham consider £20m move for Johnson to force Moyes' hand - The Independent
By Jason Burt
Published: 06 June 2007
West Ham United may have to pay as much as £20m if they are to land Andrew Johnson this summer. Although Everton have made clear that the striker is not for sale - and the manager David Moyes remains vociferous in his opposition to any deal taking place - West Ham are considering an offer that would be hard to refuse. They are also aware of claims that Johnson's wife is unsettled on Merseyside and is keen to move back to London.
West Ham have budgeted £70m for transfers this year, with £45m coming from television revenue and a further £25m expected to be generated from the sale of players.
Those leaving include Marlon Harewood. The 27-year-old striker has attracted interest from Tottenham, Wigan and Manchester City. However Portsmouth are expected to be his most likely destination for around £4m. "I think it's time for me to leave," Harewood said yesterday. "The manager wants to bring in his own players."
West Ham will generate money from the sale of Nigel Reo-Coker, who has handed in a transfer request and is the subject of a £7m bid from Aston Villa, while they want £3m for Paul Konchesky, who is interesting Birmingham, and £5m for Matthew Etherington, having already turned down Wigan's offer of £3m. Derby will convert Tyrone Mears loan to a permanent deal, with West Ham wanting £1.5m while they will also ask for fees for Hayden Mullins and Carlton Cole but not Roy Carroll.
West Ham have been interested in Johnson, 26, for some time with their previous manager Alan Pardew having attempted to sign him from Crystal Palace before the arrival of Dean Ashton. Now the intention is to pair the two in a new-look strike-force with Carlos Tevez almost certain to leave the club once a fee is agreed with one of the clubs - primarily Real Madrid and Chelsea - who have registered an interest. It is thought that Tevez could cost as much as £32m. West Ham will not receive any of the transfer fee.
Everton are adamant that Johnson, who arrived last summer for a club record £8.6m, will not be sold. A club source said that Everton, along with other Premier League clubs, had voiced displeasure at West Ham's tactics. "We are determined to resist any overtures for our players as our only ambition is to support David Moyes as we move the club forwards," the source said. Johnson has four years remaining on his contract. A formal bid has yet to be lodged.
West Ham's interest in Charlton's Darren Bent has cooled especially as they feel he wants to move to Spurs who, ironically, fear they will be outbid by Alan Curbishley. There is, however, concern at Upton Park in the delays over Scott Parker's arrival from Newcastle.
Matters are complicated because West Ham are also bidding for Joey Barton, who has been lined up as Parker's replacement, and talks were expected last night after they also matched the £5.5m release clause. It also appears that despite a £7m fee and personal terms being agreed, Parker is unsure as to whether he wants to play again under Curbishley.
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Villa bid £7m for Reo-Coker and try to prise Sneijder from Ajax's grasp - The Independent
By Jason Burt
Published: 06 June 2007
Aston Villa yesterday bid £7m for West Ham's Nigel Reo-Coker - and are considering linking him in midfield with the Dutch international Wesley Sneijder, who remains keen to leave Ajax although he wants to move to a team in the Champions League.
Another stumbling block with Sneijder could be the transfer fee, with Ajax apparently wanting €15m (£10.2m) for the 22-year-old who broke into their first-team five years ago. Villa have been trailing Sneijder for some time with manager Martin O'Neill having watched him play in the recent Dutch Cup final.
Ajax have already rejected a series of bids from Valencia which peaked at €12m (£8.1m). Indeed, Ajax have said they would rather see Sneijder leave for free when his contract expires in two years time than sell now for less than they want.
If Villa bought Sneijder and Reo-Coker it would eat up a sizeable chunk of O'Neill's transfer budget as he embarks on a major rebuilding programme ahead of next season. O'Neill, who is considering a move for West Bromwich full-back Paul Robinson, is also hoping to land Craig Bellamy from Liverpool - but only if the prohibitive £12m asking price for the Welsh striker is significantly lowered. Cash could be raised through the sales of Steven Davis, who is wanted by Fulham, and Luke Moore, who has one year left on his contract and who has been linked with Middlesbrough.
Reo-Coker, who joined West Ham for £500,000 in 2004, has also attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur. But they are unlikely to match Villa's offer even if West Ham are hoping for at least £8m for their 23-year-old captain who handed in a transfer request after a turbulent season claiming he was no longer wanted at Upton Park. The England Under-21 international is understood to be enthusiastic about the prospect of moving to Villa.
Elsewhere, Southampton's Portuguese midfielder Feliciano Condesso has joined Spanish side Villarreal on a permanent deal.
Derby director and vice-chairman Mike Horton has resigned as managing director. Horton had spent much of last season at loggerheads with manager Billy Davies over the appointment of an assistant and he has now relinquished the role, although he will continue as vice-chairman.
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