Allardyce set to sign two players of Premier League quality
Last Updated: June 15, 2011 5:00pm
SSN
West Ham have announced they expect to confirm the signings of two 'proven
Premier League players' within the next 24 hours. The Hammers are preparing
for life in the Championship next season after suffering relegation from the
top flight last month, and there is likely to be plenty of transfer activity
in and out of Upton Park.
While a number of the club's high-profile names have been linked with moves
elsewhere, new manager Sam Allardyce has already started working on
potential reinforcements. Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan has been
identified as a primary target and is having a medical at West Ham after a
fee was agreed between the clubs. The Hammers have now declared they are
close to clinching a double deal and hope to have further news by Thursday
evening. "West Ham United can confirm that the club hope to announce two new
signings - both proven Premier League players - within the next 24 hours,"
read an official statement. The statement added that West Ham, who have
already brought in Senegal centre-back Abdoulaye Faye, expect to make at
least seven signings this summer.
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Hammers to grab Gardner
Left-back set to move to Upton Park on free transfer
Last Updated: June 15, 2011 8:06pm
SSN
Skysports.com understands West Ham are poised to sign Ricardo Gardner on a
free transfer. The Jamaican left-back is available after seeing out his
contract at Bolton and is now expected to pen a two-year deal at Upton Park.
He was offered the chance to stay at the Reebok Stadium but has decided to
embark on a new challenge with the Hammers. West Ham are preparing to mount
a challenge for promotion from the Championship and announced earlier on
Wednesday that they were set to bring in two 'proven Premier League players'
within the next 24 hours. Gardner certainly fits into that category, having
plied his trade with the Trotters for the majority of his career. He joined
Bolton from homeland club Harbour View in 1998 and was a virtual
ever-present in the team until last season, when he had a spell on loan with
Preston. Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan is also expected to seal a switch
to West Ham after undergoing a medical with the Londoners.
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The Hammers Go the Extra Mile!
June 15th, 2011 - 10:51 pm by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
In my last blog post I urged the club to 'go the extra mile' and submit an
improved bid for Kevin Nolan. It appears that is exactly what they did and,
as things stand tonight, Nolan is on the verge of signing. Make no mistake,
this is potentially a pivotal deal for the club. It sends out the message
that West Ham are deadly serious about winning promotion next season. More
importantly, it secures the club a true leader as club captain, someone who
exercises a positive influence both on and off the pitch. With Faye, signed
earlier this week, we have signed two strong, committed players who will
provide the steel and leadership that we are going to need to get out of the
Championship.
Sure, Faye had a few injury problems last season, but overall his career
injury record is good. Hopefully, he was just unlucky with injuries last
season. But one thing is clear, Faye was a bit of a cult hero at Stoke
City, for his commitment and monumentual performances at centre half. Rest
assured, there is less likely to be uncontested, soft headed goals conceded
with Faye in the team. He is 33 years of age, but Faye can do a good job at
Championship level and he is just the sort of experienced player that we
needed at centre back. Moreover, the likes of Tomkins, Spence and Fry will
benefit from playing alongside such an experienced player and, hopefully,
they will learn from him.
The impending Nolan deal is very good news for West Ham. I cannot believe
that Alan Pardew is happy about losing such an influential player, after all
Nolan has been Newcastle Utd's leading scorer in each of the last two
seasons (17 in the Championship promotion season and 12 in the PL last
season). To me, it smacks more of a board level dictated decision to sell,
I may be wrong, but that is how it appears to me. They have allegedly
implemented this club policy of not giving long-term contracts to players
over a certain age and that is the context within which the Nolan move has
become possible.
As I said previously, a first choice midfield including Nolan, Noble and
Collison will easily be the best in the Championship. It has power,
tenacity, running, passing/vision and goals. Nolan will become the new club
captain, but both Noble and Collison must also take extra responsibility
next season. For me, there is a misplaced emphasis upon Noble's alleged
lack of pace. For goodness sake, he is not that sort of box to box
midfielder. He is a passer of the ball, a player that can dictate play and
has the vision to create openings for others. He is a midfielder in the
mould of Danny Blanchflower, Johnny Haynes or Johny Giles, none of whom had
any pace, but regally dictated play with the quality of their vision and
passing. And I really do not care if anyone scoffs at the comparison with
those greats, Noble has the ability to become that sort of player and,
hopefully, a season in the Championship will give him the belief and
confidence to do it.
Look at the 3-3 draw with WBA last season. Parker (for that speech at
half-time) and Ba (for his goals) rightly got credit for the come back, but
whose passing created those second half goals, Mark Noble. He admittedly
made mistakes at times last season (i.e. against Villa at home), but now
needs to show his greater maturity and start playing to his strengths. With
Nolan and Collison as his midfield partners, he should be able to take on
the play maker role and stamp his authority on matches. The problem with
the modern English game is that midfield play has become all about pace and
power, box-to-box type players, at the expense of artistry and guile.
Playmakers have increasingly come to be seen as a bit of a luxury and that
is wrong. As long as the balance is right then there should be room for
these skillful ball players. The fans of a club like West Ham, with a
tradition of midfield play makers stretching from Len Goulden through
Stanley Earle, Phil Woosman, Martin Peters, Trevor Brooking, Alan Devonshire
to Eyal Berkovic and Yossi Benayoun, will appreciate their value more than
most!
Another player that should progress next season is Jack Collison. Collison
is a fantastic player, who can do the' box-to- box' thing, but is also a
very good passer of the ball. Collison is a midfielder with goals in him
and he must develop that aspect of his game. I am anticipating that a
season in the Championship will be the making of him. If we get Nolan, as
now looks likely, we must ensure that we keep Noble and Collison. In
addition, we should also strive to retain Jon Spector at the club. He has
shown that he can do a good job in midfield and will have no problems
impressing in the Championship. Then it is a matter of keeping either Kovac
or Boa Morte next season or bringing in another midfielder as cover; if none
of the Academy midfielders are yet ready for regular starts. We will need
strength in depth next season, with 46 Championship matches, plus cup ties.
Personally, I would use the cup matches next season to give playing time to
squad players and blood promising youngsters. Nothing must distract us from
the goal of promotion next season!
So it appears that Sam Allardyce is following the time honoured strategy of
building the spine of the team first. He has brought in a strong centre
half and a midfield leader, will a striker follow next? It also begs the
question, what is going to happen with our keeper next season? Will Rob
Green stay or will Stech or Boffin step up? Personally, I might be tempted
to give Stech his big chance in the first team, with an experience keeper
coming in as an insurance policy. But we shall see, no doubt the issue is
on Allardyce's 'to do list.'
There are strong rumours that we are showing an interest in Everton's
Yakubu. A move to Leicester City has apparently broken down and West Ham
might be ready to make a move. He certainly scored goals last season on
loan to Leicester City, but if we do make a move it will not be for the £6m
fee, allegedly, offered last season. Everton must be kicking themselves
over knocking back that bid! There is also a story that Richardo Gardner
could be signed in tandem with Kevin Nolan. Gardner is not a player that I
have strong views about one way or the other, to be honest. But he is left
sided, can play right along that flank and that is an area that needs
addressing in the rebalancing of the squad.
So, the transfer deals have started. I have a feeling that there might be
some more surprising deals in the coming weeks. Scott Parker will go, if
West Ham's valuation is met and Ba and Hitzlsperger are allegedly already
gone. I am not so sure about Rob Green and Carlton Cole though? The
concensus has it that Green is being lined up by Aston Villa, while Cole is
interesting Stoke City and QPR. However, it has been reported that Stoke
City are only intending to bid £3.5m for Cole. For that sort of silly fee,
he might as well stay and fight for his place.
Whatever, no doubt Sam Allardyce will check to see if player-exchange deals
are possible as part of any big money outgoing deals. For instance, it may
'go against the grain' to sell to Spurs, but there are one or two of their
players that might strengthen our squad if they could be included in any
deal of Parker. Heresy I know, but our one and only focus must be on West
Ham achieving promotion and getting in the players to make it happen. Much
admired ex-players and disliked PL rivals can just get on with it next
season and we will, hopefully, see them in 2012-13!
SJ. Chandos.
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Hammers splash £16.5m on Nolan
Published: Today
The Sun
WEST HAM were last night celebrating after signing Kevin Nolan - but it will
cost them a massive £16.5million. Newcastle's captain had a medical at Upton
Park having put pen to paper on a five-year contract worth around £50,000 a
week. Throw in a £3.5m fee plus a further £500,000 if Hammers are promoted
next season and it's a hefty investment by owners David Gold and David
Sullivan. SunSport exclusively revealed a week ago that new West Ham boss
Sam Allardyce had kicked off his rebuilding with a bid for Nolanand
Blackpool striker DJ Campbell. The midfielder - who played under Allardyce
at Bolton and Newcastle - is seen as a direct replacement for Scott Parker,
who is set to leave the club following relegation. West Ham have had no bids
for the inspirational midfielder yet but accept he is almost certain to move
on. The Scouser is also set to become captain, taking over from Matthew
Upson, who is out of contract and also poised to leave.
Nolan was Newcastle's top scorer last season with 12 goals and is a fans'
favourite at St James' Park. His departure has already caused unrest in the
dressing room with team-mate Joey Barton admitting the move makes him feel
'sick'. Nolan still had two years left on his £40,000-a-week Toon contract
but talks over a new deal had broken down after months of negotiating.
Newcastle offered him a £500,000 bonus if the club finished 10th or above
next season, plus an extra 12 months on his contract with a £10,000-a-week
pay rise. But Nolan, 28, wanted a five-year deal and talks collapsed. A Toon
insider said: "Kevin was a big part of the club and the feeling is that he
has done a great job for Newcastle in his time. "But the offer made to him
was seen as extremely generous to reflect that. The fact that a final
agreement couldn't be reached is a shame and the fans will be hurt but the
powers that be are thinking of the best terms for the club as a whole."
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has signed French midfielder Yohan Cabeye, who is
expected to slip straight into Nolan's position at the heart of the team and
Toon insiders reckon more signings are imminent as part of Pardew's own
rebuilding. West Ham also plan to plough on with shaping a team which can
get them straight back up to the top flight. But Thomas Hitzlsperger is set
to leave because Germany boss Joachim Lowe will not pick anyone playing
outside the top division. Meanwhile, winger Pablo Barrera is a target for
Real Zaragoza. The Mexican, 23, signed a four-year deal last season but made
just six starts. West Ham will have to take a hit on the £4m they paid for
him.
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Stoke won't be Obinna winners
Published: Today
The Sun
STOKE are set to lose out to Galatasaray in the race for ex-West Ham striker
Victor Obinna. Potters boss Tony Pulis has made a fresh bid for the Nigeria
international after failing to land him from Inter Milan last summer. But
the 24-year-old free agent, who scored eight goals during his Hammers loan
spell last season, will now snub Stoke once more for a lucrative move to
Turkey. A source close to Obinna said: "There are good offers from Stoke as
well as Napoli, but the most interesting so far is from Glatasaray. "They
are ready to almost double his wages and pay him a huge signing-on fee."
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Joey 'sick' as Toon sell Kev
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
The Sun
JOEY BARTON admitted he feels 'sick' at Kevin Nolan's £3.5million move from
Newcastle to West Ham. Skipper Nolan's decision to drop into the
Championship has caused a storm on Tyneside after the midfielder teamed up
with former Toon boss Sam Allardyce in a deal worth £16.5m in all. Barton
tweeted: "Just on my way to Ascot, feel sick. Great player, leader, captain,
person, trainer and mostly a friend for life. Devastated to see him SOLD."
Barton is also an Allardyce target but a deal could be difficult because
debt-ridden Hammers cannot afford both players' wages. But Barton still
feels his days are numbered at St James' Park. He also tweeted:
"mejoseandjonasnext", suggesting he, Jose Enrique and winger Jonas Gutierrez
could follow Nolan out of the club. Newcastle hope to beat Everton to sign
Hammers striker Demba Ba, 26.
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Redknapp's now-or-never warning to Hammers
Published 22:59 15/06/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Harry Redknapp has warned his former club West Ham they must win promotion
back to the Premier League next season while still playing at Upton Park -
or face potential Olympic Stadium meltdown. The Hammers, relegated to the
Championship last season, are due to move into their new stadium as soon as
possible after 2012 having beaten Redknapp's current side Tottenham to the
rights to develop the site. But Spurs manager Redknapp fears it could turn
out to be a noose around his former side's neck if they end up playing lower
division football there. Redknapp, who was born in Poplar in the East En and
spent 14 years with the Hammers as player and manager, still retains a
strong affection for them. He said: "They are going to miss that stadium
when they move, I don't care what anyone says. I know the club, I was
brought up there, and believe me they are going to miss Upton Park because
the fans there are passionate and the atmosphere is incredible. "That's why
next year is the year when they have to get back up. After that it will be
tougher, playing in the Olympic Stadium. That will be hard. "If it's
half-full, there will be no atmosphere and it will be difficult. They have
to get back up next year when they have the parachute money and are playing
at Upton Park. "That's the key. That's their big chance and they have to
make sure they take it."
Redknapp admits he was hugely disappointed when the Hammers were relegated
and hopes they bounce back quickly under new boss Sam Allardyce. "It's so
sad to see them down there but they have to go down, rebuild and come back
again," he said. "They've done it before and there's no reason why they
can't do it again. "It's a fantastic club with fantastic tradition. They
have great support; they live for that club those fans. "It's a big loss
that they went down but I'm sure they will come back. I just hope they do it
quickly because it won't get any easier."
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West Ham ready to bomb out flop Barrera
Published 23:00 15/06/11 By Jeremy Butler
The Mirror
West Ham winger Pablo Barrera is a target for Spanish side Real Zaragoza.
The Mexican international signed a four-year deal at Upton Park last season
but made just six starts. And Sam Allardyce is open to a bid from the La
Liga outfit as he looks to reshape his relegated squad for the Championship.
Real Zaragoza have a Mexican boss in Javier Aguirre and he wants to unlock
the potential Barrera showed at the last World Cup. But West Ham will have
to take a hit on the £4m they paid for the 23-year-old.
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Barton: Nolan had become a Newcastle icon
Published 23:00 15/06/11 By Simon Bird
The Mirror
Joey Barton paid a warm tribute to team-mate Kevin Nolan as his fellow
midfielder prepared to complete a shock move to West Ham. The midfielder
insisted that Nolan, signed for £4million in January 2009, would go down as
an "iconic" player after his derby hat-trick against Sunderland, and
achievements in the last two seasons. Barton says he is "re-evaluating" his
situation but "has no ambition to quit St James' Park. The midfield star
said: "It's not for me to say how much Kevin Nolan will be missed, but it
would be a massive loss to any club to achieve what he has in three years.
"I don't know whether I'm speaking a bit untoward, but he's achieved iconic
status at the football club, not only for his three goals against Sunderland
in the derby, but for the way he's held himself in and around the city and
for the season he had in the Championship - and also the season we had last
season. "Being able to bounce back and score 12 goals in the Premier League
is a phenomenal achievement, and would be in any side, never mind one
fighting for its life - as we were for a long part of that season. "I love
the football club, without a shadow of a doubt. Everyone knows that. I've
got a great working relationship with the manager and a lot of the players.
"It's a difficult situation. I've got to go back and do a job at the end of
the summer and as far as I know I'll go back to Newcastle United and play
until my contract runs out and they tell me that I'm no longer need." Barton
insisted he does not want to move on this summer. "I've got no ambitions to
leave the football club, I don't want to leave," he said. "I'd love nothing
more than to win a trophy at Newcastle. "Whether I get the opportunity to do
that is out of my hands. I'm an employee of the football club and if they
want to do something else in the meantime, I'm not foolish enough not to
listen to offers. "If I'm not wanted, I believe enough in my own ability and
myself as a person to say, 'Well, hang on, if you don't want me at the
football club I'll have to reevaluate my options.' That's the situation
we're in at the minute. If I'm asked to report back for pre-season training,
that's the situation and if it's not, it's not. It's all hypothetical at the
minute. "All I'm doing is concentrating on keeping myself in shape and
getting ready for a campaign with Newcastle next season."
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Northern Exposure: Joey is right, Nolan is more than just a footballer to
Newcastle
By COLIN YOUNG
Last updated at 2:38 AM on 16th June 2011
Daily Mail
Hobbling round on his crutches after ankle surgery, his two toddlers and
baby-sitter Joey Barton dawdling behind him, Kevin Nolan and his close pal
struggled to keep up with the rest of his Newcastle team-mates for the
awkward lap of honour on the final day of last season. Newcastle had just
surrendered a three-goal lead at home to West Brom, losing their grip on a
top ten place and a finish above Sunderland in the process. But the
Newcastle squad and manager Alan Pardew wanted to acknowledge the fans for
nine months of support and most of them stayed in St James's Park to
replicate the appreciation. Nolan's incapacity, and Barton's inability to
keep his captain's two children in line, left the pair some distance behind
the rest of the group. Rather conveniently, it also allowed the Geordie
faithful to give an additional, heartfelt and warm ovation to the two men
who have played such a crucial role in the rejuvenation of Newcastle United
in the last three years.
And they are probably the two players most Newcastle fans would have singled
out anyway, for the role they played in the Championship, and in securing
Premier League safety so convincingly. They galvanised their team-mates, the
fans, the whole club after relegation. Putting the club's politics to one
side - Nolan was actually a frequent and outspoken supporter of the current
regime - their only goal was promotion and keeping a splintered group
together. Two of the main leaders of the players' committee, which also
included Steve Harper and Alan Smith, they certainly made Chris Hughton's
job easier, and didn't undermine a manager who was eventually handed the
unenviable task of replacing Alan Shearer. Barton and Nolan made Hughton's
job easier.
Last season Barton was Newcastle's best player and he should have been
recalled to the England squad. Nolan, who was also touted for England
recognition, was top scorer, netting a hat-trick in the 5-1 drubbing of
Sunderland, making his daft chicken celebration the talk of the toon and
giving him a lifetime of legendary status in Newcastle. Anyone witnessing
the genuine warmth between the two players and their audience on May 22
might have believed any contract negotiations with the club would be
straight forward. Owner Mike Ashley and his managing director Derek Llambias
must have seen it and Alan Pardew certainly made no secret of his desire to
see them, and Jose Enrique sign new deals. And then the talks broke down,
with both players looking for more years than Newcastle were prepared to
offer. Nolan will get the deal he wants at Upton Park, where he will be
reunited with Sam Allardyce, who knows he may have just pulled off the
Championship signing of the summer.
But make no mistake, this was not about money. Nolan wanted to stay at
Newcastle. His departure is a blow for Pardew, who may expect Barton and
Enrique to follow him. The posturing which has occurred since those talks
collapsed is fairly commonplace, but usually ends in compromise. Few really
expected the move to West Ham to go through after Big Sam's first offer last
week was dismissed as 'derisory'. But Ashley it seems is not a man who does
compromises easily. It's his way, or there's no way. The £4million
Newcastle can expect from the sale of Nolan to West Ham may represent good
business for a businessman, but it makes little football sense. Not many
Premier League midfielders score 12 goals in a season and exert such an
influence on and off the pitch on their club. As a distraught Barton
tweeted earlier, Nolan was more than a footballer to Newcastle United. He
was the leader of the gang, and with so many young, untried and young
players heading to Tyneside this summer, that influence would have been
immense. And maybe that was part of the problem. The dismantling of the
team, and the management, which gained promotion started with Hughton's exit
and it is a major gamble to move on the players who seemed to understand
what playing for Newcastle is all about.
The board have still not really been forgiven for selling Geordie Crown
Jewel Andy Carroll in January, but supporters are watching carefully to see
where, and how much of that money is spent this summer. That was the promise
made five months ago. The £6million capture of France international Yohan
Cabaye was the first major breakthrough in the transfer market for
Newcastle, who have been pursuing a number of young players from the French
league through their chief scout Graham Carr. Cabaye now looks like Nolan's
direct replacement, piling the pressure on a player with no Premier League
experience. Carr was the man who found and signed Cheik Tiote, one of the
discoveries of last season. But the Ivory Coast midfielder paid tribute to
Nolan's role in his development at the end of last season.
As Newcastle know only too well, the French market is no guarantee for
success, even if it is cheaper. For every David Ginola there's a Stephane
Guivarc'h, just to remind the Newcastle board of the gamble they are taking.
Like most Newcastle fans, Barton was coming to terms with the loss of Nolan.
He tweeted: 'Great player, leader, captain, person, trainer and mostly a
friend for life. Devastated to see him SOLD!' Mischievously, or
mysteriously, Barton added '#mejoseandjonasnext'. Clearly he does not
envisage being at Newcastle for much longer, which would be another blow for
the club, and the supporters. Watch this space.
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Exodus! We'll all leave Toon now Nolan's joined West Ham, warns Barton
By COLIN YOUNG
Last updated at 11:04 PM on 15th June 2011
Daily Mail
Joey Barton has predicted a player exodus from Newcastle after club captain
and top scorer Kevin Nolan was allowed to leave for Championship club West
Ham for £4million. Nolan, who scored 12 goals last season, has agreed a
four-year deal at Upton Park worth £55,000-a-week, after rejecting
Newcastle's contract offer.
He was offered a £4m package to stay in the North East, including a pay rise
and a £500,000 bonus if they finish in the top 10 next season. Toon fans
will be unhappy with another star leaving, after Andy Carroll's exit. Now
Barton is predicting he, Jose Enrique and Jonas Gutierrez will be next out
of the club. 'Great player, leader, captain, person, trainer and mostly a
friend for life,' said Barton about Nolan on Twitter.
At Royal Ascot, Barton said: 'It will be a great disappointment to lose him
but that's the game we are in and sometimes it is like ships in the night.
Hopefully the move will break down but if it doesn't you have to believe in
the process of the football club and no one player is bigger than the club.
'He would be a massive miss for any club. He has achieved iconic status, not
only for his three goals against Sunderland but the way he held himself in
the city, the season he had in the Championship and also last season.
'Being able to bounce back and score 12 goals in the Premier League is a
phenomenal achievement in any side, never mind a side fighting for its life
as we were for a long part of that season.' Newcastle refused to break their
wage structure to keep Nolan, while West Ham quickly agreed and the
midfielder had a medical yesterday. They expect to announce the deal today
with owners David Sullivan and David Gold said to be 'thrilled' with the
capture. Barton, 28, says he has 'no ambitions to leave' but has been
unable to secure the three-year extension he wants to replace his contract
which runs out at the end of next season, despite accepting a pay-cut.
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TOTTENHAM BALK AT £10M SCOTT PARKER
Thursday June 16,2011
By Matt Law
Daily Express
TOTTENHAM have made their first move to sign Scott Parker but have been
shocked by West Ham's £10million tag. Scott Parker has made it clear he
wants to leave after West Ham's relegation from the Premier League and boss
Sam Allardyce has prepared for his exit by signing Kevin Nolan from
Newcastle. Spurs are leading the chase for Parker, which also includes
Arsenal and Liverpool, and have made contact in a bid to open negotiations.
It is understood they enquired about signing Parker for about £4m and are
believed to be prepared to go up to £5m. But that figure is just half what
West Ham are quoting interested parties and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy
has been left to consider his position. A £7m bid for Parker, 30, failed
last summer, but Spurs feel relegation and the fact West Ham cannot afford
£70,000-a-week wages mean his price should drop significantly. West Ham feel
Parker's value has increased after winning the Football Writers' Player of
the Year award and forcing his way into the England team.
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Newcastle in turmoil as livid Barton warns of mass exodus
Midfielder tweets 'I feel sick' over Nolan sale and says he will be one of
three to follow captain
By Mark Fleming
Thursday, 16 June 2011
The Independent
Newcastle United's decision to agree a transfer fee yesterday for captain
Kevin Nolan with relegated West Ham United has been met with fury inside the
St James' Park dressing room. Joey Barton admitted he was "devastated" and
felt "sick" by Newcastle's decision to sell their captain, and indicated he
could be next to leave, along with defender Jose Enrique and winger Jonas
Gutierrez. All three could follow Nolan out of town, as Newcastle are
refusing to offer Barton a new deal, while Spanish left-back Enrique, 25, is
refusing to sign an extension to his current contract and has attracted
interest from Liverpool. Argentine winger Gutierrez, 27, has two more years
of his deal to run.
Newcastle's decision to sell Nolan follows the collapse of negotiations
between the club and the player over an extension to his contract, which had
two more years to run. Nolan, who will be 29 next week, wanted another three
years to be added on, taking him to 2016, but Newcastle would only offer a
two-year extension. The midfielder was also told he would only be eligible
for a pay rise if they finished ninth or higher in the Premier League next
season. The Tyneside club still have the bulk of the £35m they received from
Liverpool for Andy Carroll in January, but are insisting they will not be
held to ransom by a player in his late 20s.
Barton reacted publicly – on Twitter – to Nolan's impending departure,
writing on his way to Royal Ascot: "Just on my way to Ascot, feel sick.
#whatgoinonatthetoonffs". He wrote about Nolan: "Great player, leader,
captain, person, trainer and mostly a friend for life. Devastated to see him
SOLD! #mejoseandjonasnext". He was later contacted by the club and asked to
stop tweeting.
Newcastle would like to offload Barton this summer, having decided not to
offer him an extension to his current deal, which runs out in a year's time.
Barton was widely regarded as Newcastle's best player last season, while
Nolan was the club's leading goalscorer with 12 goals, but now it seems
neither will be at St James' Park next season, because owner, Mike Ashley,
and managing director, Derek Llambias, will not agree to rewarding them with
long-term deals. Nolan is said to be furious with Ashley and Llambias, which
is one of the reasons he is keen to move to West Ham, despite their
relegation to the Championship.
The signing of Nolan, who is keen to be reunited with his former manager Sam
Allardyce, would represent a major coup for West Ham, who have agreed a fee
of £4.1m and are offering wages of £55,000 a week, a rise of £13,000 on his
deal at Newcastle. Nolan has still to agree personal terms but West Ham are
confident the transfer will be completed today and are also set to sign
another Allardyce stalwart, Ricardo Gardner, who has just been released by
Bolton.
The imminent departure of Nolan has thrown Newcastle into turmoil, amid
fears of a fire sale of players in a bid to cut the wage bill. The club
insist that the Carroll money will be invested on new players, and say the
£6m signing of French midfielder Yohan Cabaye, 25, from Lille on a five-year
contract worth £50,000 a week, shows the change of direction. Manager Alan
Pardew said as much recently, when he spoke on a phone-in about the
difficulties in finding new players. "The pool isn't big if your agenda is
young players who fit into our wage structure," he said.
Newcastle are relying on chief scout, Graham Carr, who is the father of
comedian, Alan Carr, to unearth more hidden gems, such as Cheik Tiote, who
was signed for £3.5m last August, and was an instant hit.
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Joey Barton hits out at Newcastle after West Ham agree deal for Kevin Nolan
'I'm devastated to see him sold,' says Barton
Nolan expected to be made West Ham captain
Jamie Jackson
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 15 June 2011 21.52 BST
Kevin Nolan has a medical at West Ham United on Thursday to complete a
dramatic move from Newcastle United that signals Sam Allardyce's intent to
win instant promotion from the Championship, with the midfielder expected to
be named captain. The transfer caused Nolan's team-mate Joey Barton to
severely criticise the north-east club on Twitter for allowing him to
depart.
Earlier this month Nolan rejected an offer of a new deal from Newcastle,
signalling his intent to leave the club; he was unhappy that the terms
offered were incentive-based. A source present during the talks said:
"Newcastle United offered no extension to his current deal and no
improvement unless the team finished in the top nine next season."
It is understood that the preference of the midfielder Nolan, who earns
about £42,000 a week on Tyneside, was a regular salary over four years that
would have taken him to his 33rd birthday, as he turns 29 next week. Nolan,
who scored 12 Premier League goals from central midfield last season, is due
to sign at West Ham for a deal said to be worth £55,000 a week with the
length of the contract unclear.
On hearing the news of the move Barton signalled his unhappiness in two
tweets. "Just on my way to Ascot, feel sick. Great player, leader, captain,
person, trainer and mostly a friend for life. Devastated to see him SOLD,"
he said, adding the hash tag "£mejoseandjonasnext" suggesting that he, José
Enrique, the Newcastle left-back, and the winger Jonás Gutiérrez may follow
Nolan from the club.
With Nolan already having played under Allardyce before at Bolton Wanderers,
and with the potential signing of Ricardo Fuller from Stoke City plus
Abdoulaye Faye's arrival on a free transfer, the former Blackburn Rovers
manager seems intent on entrusting West Ham's promotion drive to a core of
known performers.Faye, who was released by Stoke City at the close of the
season, said: "People may ask why as the team are in the Championship but I
am excited at the challenge to help get the team back to the Premier League,
where I think the club belongs. Sam is a very good manager and I am very
pleased to be playing for him again – he gave me a chance here in England
and he is someone who gives you confidence. He is also someone who I know
the players will respect and I think he will bring a lot to the club – the
fans will see this also.I can't wait now to get playing for the club, for
Sam and for the fans and do my best for everyone."
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Kevin Nolan set for West Ham captaincy
By Andy Sims, PA
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
The Independent
West Ham are set to complete the signing of Kevin Nolan tomorrow and make
him their new captain. The Hammers have revealed they expect to complete two
new signings within the next 24 hours, with Bolton left-back Ricardo Gardner
also poised to arrive at Upton Park. "Both prospective arrivals are proven
Premier League players and will add greatly to new manager Sam Allardyce's
first-team squad ahead of the 2011/12 season," read a club statement.
Newcastle midfielder Nolan is due to undergo a medical after the clubs
agreed an undisclosed fee for him. It is understood the 28-year-old is keen
to be reunited with Allardyce, whom he played under at Bolton, and that he
will be appointed skipper at Upton Park following Matt Upson's departure. He
will also fill the void in the midfield set to be left by Scott Parker's
likely move back to the Premier League this summer, following West Ham's
relegation. Jamaica international Gardner, 32, is available on a free
transfer after seeing out his contract at the Reebok Stadium. Allardyce has
already brought in defender Abdoulaye Faye, who played for him under Bolton
and Newcastle and was a free agent after leaving Stoke.
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Sam Allardyce to continue rebuilding at West Ham United with new signings
Kevin Nolan and Ricardo Gardner
By Jason Burt8:34PM BST 15 Jun 20111 Comment
Telegraph.co.uk
West Ham United will announce the signings of Kevin Nolan and Ricardo
Gardner as manager Sam Allardyce re-builds the club's squad to try and
secure promotion back to the Premier League. Newcastle United yesterday
accepted a £4m offer for Nolan, causing consternation among the club's
supporters although they will be appeased a little by the signing of Demba
Ba from West Ham United. The striker is a free agent after triggering an
exit clause. Nolan's sale, however, provoked an angry response from the
midfielder's team-mate, Joey Barton who used the social networking site
Twitter to say he felt "sick" at the news. Barton then added of Nolan, who
is expected to be made West Ham's captain: "Great player, leader, captain,
person, trainer and mostly a friend for life. Devastated to see him SOLD".
He then added the hashtag "mejoseandjonasnext" suggesting he, Jose Enrique
and Jonas Gutierrez will be sold by Newcastle this summer.
Barton is also embroiled in a contract dispute with the club who are
embarking on their own re-building, with manager Alan Pardew tasked with
bringing down both the wage bill and the average age of the team. Newcastle
have already signed the highly-rated French midfielder Yohan Cabaye and are
in talks to secure striker Mevlut Erding. Nevertheless, the sale of Nolan is
a serious blow to Pardew as the captain has been a key player for Newcastle,
scoring 12 goals last season and playing a crucial role in the campaign
before that as the club won the Championship. It appears that Jose Enrique
will also leave, having so far failed to respond to a contract offer,
although in interviews after his Twitter claims, Barton was more
conciliatory over his own future and Nolan's departure. Nolan and Gardner,
who is available on a free transfer after being released by Bolton
Wanderers, join another former Bolton player — and another player who was
previously signed by Allardyce — Abdoulaye Faye at Upton Park.
Gardner, 32, is likely to be first choice left-back but can also play in
midfield while Faye will replace Matthew Upson. It is Nolan's signing that
is the most exciting for West Ham supporters and it is a testimony to
Allardyce's relationship with the player that he has decided to drop down a
division. Aged 28, he is also likely to be granted the five-year contract by
West Ham that Newcastle refused to give him and will earn wages of
£45,000-a-week, probably making him the highest-earner in the Championship.
That salary is the same that Thomas Hitzlsperger was earning at West Ham,
but the German international is also leaving on a free transfer, having
exercised a relegation clause although Allardyce is also believed to be
unconcerned at his departure. Scott Parker has informed West Ham that he
wants to go and the club are waiting for offers for the midfielder, with
Tottenham Hotspur likely to be the strongest bidders, even if the club would
prefer not to sell to them. West Ham are less confident that they will sign
Blackpool striker DJ Campbell, despite offering the £1.25m to release him
from his contract as he has made it clear he wants to remain in the Premier
League.
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