Liverpool have agreed a fee with West Ham for Yossi Benayoun, according to
the Israeli international's agent. BBC Sport understands a £4m transfer
will be finalised for the 25-year-old West Ham midfielder on Wednesday.
Agent Ronen Katzav said: "Everybody would be happy to play for Liverpool.
West Ham will always be in his heart but he is looking to move up a level."
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said: "It's clear he'd like to come and he's a
player I like."
Benayoun, Israel's national captain, moved to Upton Park from Racing
Santander in a £2.5m deal in 2005. He has played 72 games for the Hammers
and scored eight goals. The clubs have already done business this summer
with striker Craig Bellamy moving to the capital from Merseyside in a £7.5m
deal.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Man Utd face further Tevez delay - BBC
Manchester United may be further frustrated in their attempts to unravel the
complicated transfer saga involving West Ham striker Carlos Tevez. BBC Radio
Five Live understands Tevez, 23, and his management team wrote to the
Premier League and West Ham asking them to terminate his Hammers contract.
The Premier League refused and has suggested West Ham do the same. If Fifa
or the Football Association cannot help manufacture a breakthrough, the
matter could end up in the courts. Tevez's proposed move to Old Trafford has
been put on hold after the Premier League ruled West Ham must receive the
vast majority of the reported £30m-plus fee. But West Ham are not in a
position to handle the transfer because Tevez's economic rights are owned by
businessman Kia Joorabchian. Manchester United have agreed terms with Tevez
and Joorabchian and hoped to have everything tied up last week - but the
deal has now reached an impasse. It is believed some of those involved in
the negotiations believe the Premier League can no longer act as independent
arbiter in the case. That means Tevez's representatives are set to request
help from the FA and Fifa - the two bodies who oversee transfers at a
domestic and international level. According to the Argentine's
representatives personal terms were agreed with United last week. Tevez, who
is currently with Argentina in South America for the Copa America, has made
no secret of his desire to move to Old Trafford.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Angry Ant, part two - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 10th July 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Alan Curbishley has welcomed the arrival of record signing Craig Bellamy,
whose £7.5m switch from Liverpool was confirmed yesterday. Curbishley,
speaking via whufc.com this evening told how he was 'really pleased' to land
a player whom he rather eloquently (and possibly tactfully) described as
'hungry and also a little bit angry'. 27-year-old Bellamy's disciplinary
problems have been well documented; his decision to use John Arne Risse's
head as a replacement golf ball was a major factor in him leaving Liverpool
(the club he supported as a youngster) this week. However Curbishley - who
is known for being something of a disciplinarian himself - clearly believes
he can curb (no pun intended) the Welsh international's fiery temperament.
"I'm really pleased to have signed Craig," he said. "He is the right age
with the right experience. "People have raised eyebrows at the fact that he
has played for a few clubs but, if you actually look at his record, it isn't
anything out of the ordinary. At Newcastle he had a fantastic start under
Bobby Robson, but didn't see eye-to-eye with Graeme Souness.
"He is keen to prove what he can do and he has an opportunity now to cement
some roots and show everybody what a good player he is. "I'm sure he will
strike up a good rapport with the fans, because he tries his hardest in
every match and desperately wants to win."
* The original 'Angry Ant' was Irish international David Connolly, who was
thus described by Glenn Roeder in 2003 after the Irish striker threatened to
quit the Hammers - just two weeks into his United career - after being
replaced in the team by loan signing Neil Mellor.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Greedy Yossi on his toes - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 10th July 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
West Ham United are reported to have accepted a £5m bid from Liverpool for
Yossi Benayoun. The Israeli midfielder - who reneged on signing a new
five-year deal with the Hammers last month despite having given his word
that he would put pen to paper - is set to sign for Liverpool later this
week, should he agree terms and successfully pass a medical (which, given
the pitiful number of appearances he made for the Hammers last season,
should perhaps not be the formality it usually is). Yossi's agent, Ronan
Katsev, is quoted tonight as saying: "West Ham will always be in his heart
but he is looking to move up a level.
"Everybody would be happy to play for Liverpool. [The deal] should be
completed in the next 48 hours."
Benayoun - who signed for the Hammers in the summer of 2005 in a £2.5m
switch from Spanish outfit Racing Santander - enjoyed an excellent first
season for the club, which he capped with a man of the match performance in
the 2006 FA Cup Final against the team he is about to join. However his form
last season - his second and seemingly last in East London - was little
short of dreadful on the whole, and he was criticised on several occasions
for failing to appear for United when an international fixture loomed. All
in all he spent nearly a third of the season on the Chadwell Heath treatment
table. Yet despite Benayoun's problems last season it cannot be denied that
the club are set to lose possibly the only creative attacking midfielder in
the current squad; a situation that will need to be addressed before the new
season kicks off in just under a month.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reds agree Benayoun price - Sky
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 10 Jul 2007
Sky Sports News understands Liverpool have agreed a fee to sign Yossi
Benayoun from West Ham United. Benayoun has emerged as a target for Rafa
Benitez's in recent weeks, despite agreeing a new five-year contract at
Upton Park. But the delay in signing the deal has allowed Liverpool to steal
in with a suitable offer for the Israel international. Benitez revealed last
week that the Hammers had said 'no' to his club's original offer, but a fee
now appears to have been settled upon. Reports have mooted a price of
£4million for Benayoun, who has made 72 appearances for West Ham since
joining from Racing Santander two years ago. His impending switch to Anfield
follows the completion of the £7.5million deal which took Craig Bellamy in
the opposite direction.
When quizzed on Liverpool's interest last month, Benayoun admitted he was
'honoured' to be wanted by the UEFA Champions League finalists. The player's
agent Ronen Katzav said: "It should be completed in the next 48 hours.
"Everybody would be happy to play for Liverpool. West Ham will always be in
his heart, but he is looking to move up a level."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbs: Hammers have Tevez say - Sky
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 10 Jul 2007
Alan Curbishley is adamant West Ham United will have a say in whether Carlos
Tevez joins Manchester United. The Premier League champions are trying to
arrange a deal to take the Argentine striker to Old Trafford before the
start of the season. Reports have claimed that personal terms have been
agreed, but the issue of Tevez's registration remains cloudy. West Ham
released a statement prior to the weekend confirming they held the forward's
registration and he is under contract at Upton Park until 2010. Sir Alex
Ferguson insists there will be nothing 'dodgy' in the transfer, following
the problems which landed the Hammers with a £5.5million fine for the
original deal which brought Tevez, and Javier Mascherano, to England. There
have been suggestions that the Red Devils will sign the 23-year-old on a
two-year loan deal, with an option for a permanent deal, rather than
spending a lump sum immediately. Either way, Hammers boss Curbishley is
insistent that the East London club must be involved in the decision-making
process regarding Tevez's future. "Obviously, Manchester United are
interested," Curbishley told Sky Sports News. "Whatever happens has got to
go through West Ham, that's the situation. "I've kept quite out of it,
that's for other people and we'll see what happens."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cisse reveals alternatives - Sky
By Alex Dunn - Created on 10 Jul 2007
Djibril Cisse has confirmed that a number of English clubs were eager to
keep him in the Premier League, prior to his signing for Marseille on a
permanent basis. The French international's departure from Liverpool was a
somewhat protracted affair, with a number of clubs in the hunt for his
services, but he insists he had no doubts that a return to his homeland was
always the priority. Cisse spent last season on loan at Marseille and having
sampled life at Stade Velodrome, had no desire to leave, despite interest
from the likes of West Ham and Portsmouth. It was, though, Bolton and
Atletico Madrid that were the clubs most intent on luring him from Anfield,
according to Cisse. "Liverpool received offers from other clubs, notably
Bolton and Atletico Madrid. I was offered deals that were almost double that
of Marseille's, but to play for a bottom tier club doesn't interest me,"
said Cisse. "In accepting Marseille's offer, I knew that I would be playing
in the Champions League."
Despite having spent much of the past two campaigns occupying the treatment
room and stands, Cisse remains a player bubbling with confidence, declaring
next season to be 'Djibril Cisse's year'. "It will be Djibril Cisse's year.
Last year I joined the group halfway through their campaign and I know that
I disrupted the balance of the team slightly. "I have set a personal target
this season of scoring at least 20 goals in the League."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bellamy seals £7.5million move to West Ham - Soccernet
Craig Bellamy is determined to fire West Ham into the Champions League after
completing a club-record £7.5million move from Liverpool to Upton Park.
The Wales captain agreed a five-year deal with the Hammers once it was made
clear he had no future at Anfield following the arrival of Spain
international Fernando Torres. Bellamy, 28 later this week, only spent one
season at Liverpool and has led a nomadic existence in recent years, with
short spells at Newcastle, Celtic and Blackburn. But he is ready to lay
roots in east London and is convinced the Hammers will be competing among
the elite before too long.
Bellamy said: 'I want to play in Europe, it's important to me, and I felt
that same drive and ambition here at West Ham. 'Obviously it would be naive
of me to say we are going to qualify for the Champions League next season
but that's one thing we are really going to be pushing for here in the
future. 'The club is looking to strengthen what is already a very good
squad, and West Ham are renowned for their open and attacking football, so
everything is perfect for me.
''I had a great experience at Liverpool and I believe West Ham will benefit
this year because I know I am a better player for it. ''I've signed a
five-year contract here and I will be here for the long term. I've moved
around a bit in recent years. Now I want to settle. ''I'm 28 later this week
and hopefully approaching the prime years of my career. I believe West Ham
are going to see the best of me.''
Bellamy is West Ham's fourth summer signing and takes manager Alan
Curbishley's spending since he arrived at Upton Park in December to nearly
£40million
. He joins midfielders Scott Parker and Julien Faubert plus goalkeeper
Richard Wright in arriving at Upton Park this summer. The deal breaks West
Ham's previous transfer record of £7.25million, which the Hammers paid
Norwich for Dean Ashton in January 2006. Bellamy will effectively replace
Carlos Tevez, whose move to Manchester United will go through once the
contractual complexities are untangled. Bellamy's career has been blighted
by scrapes off the field and he fell out with manager Graeme Souness while
at Newcastle - but that was of no concern to Curbishley. ''I'm really
pleased to have signed Craig. He is the right age with the right experience
and has two qualities that I really like - he is hungry and also a little
bit angry,'' said Curbishley. 'He is keen to prove to lots of people what he
can do having not been given much of a chance at Liverpool. I'm certain that
we are going to see the best of him at West Ham. ''People have raised
eyebrows at the fact he has played for a few clubs but, if you actually look
at his record, it isn't anything out of the ordinary. ''He did fantastically
well at Blackburn and then Liverpool came in to activate the release clause
he had. Every move has been to better himself and now he is coming to us in
the prime years of his career. ''He is hungry to do well and I'm sure he
will be a great asset to us.'' Never known for being shy, Bellamy turned out
for his first day's training in a pair of fluorescent yellow boots.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tevez people to call in FA and FIFA - Soccernet
The Football Association and FIFA are set to be called in to broker a
solution to the Carlos Tevez affair. The Argentina striker's proposed move
to Manchester United has been blocked after the Premier League ruled West
Ham must receive the vast majority of the £30million-plus fee. But West Ham
are not in a position to handle the transfer because Tevez's economic rights
are owned by businessman Kia Joorabchian. Manchester United have agreed
terms with Tevez and Joorabchian and hoped to have everything tied up last
week - but the deal has now reached an impasse. It is understood some of
those involved in the negotiations do not believe the Premier League can act
as independent arbiter in the case any longer. And Tevez's representatives
are set to request help from the FA and FIFA - the two bodies who oversee
transfers at a domestic and international level. It is understood any such
move would be endorsed by Manchester United, who are anxious to get a deal
finalised. A source close to the negotiations told PA Sport: 'Diplomatic
moves are being made. We are in deadlock and we need an independent body to
try and sort this mess out. 'The lawyers all agree Manchester United and
Joorabchian are within their rights to do a deal - but the Premier League
are saying they can't. 'The Premier League seem to have a vested interest
now. They are covering their own backs after allowing West Ham to continue
playing Tevez last season. 'Their whole argument is built on the premise
West Ham tore up Tevez's contract and claimed to control the player. 'But
any court in the land will tell you they cannot do that.'
The recent Premier League arbitration found West Ham's actions in declaring
all ties had been severed 'may not have been legally watertight'. Manchester
United and Joorabchian are at a loss to understand why the Premier League
are blocking Tevez's move when they sanctioned Javier Mascherano's transfer
from West Ham to Liverpool in January. Both players were on identical
contracts at Upton Park and it is understood United want to sign the same
deal for Tevez that Liverpool agreed with Joorabchian for Mascherano. The
Premier League's argument is that Mascherano had left West Ham before the
independent commission's inquiry into the duo's initial move to West Ham
from South America, which deemed the pair's contracts to be in breach of
regulations. West Ham were fined £5.5million but 'satisfied' the Premier
League they had terminated the third party agreement in Tevez's contract. As
a result the Premier League allowed Tevez to play in West Ham's last three
matches of the season, when he played a key role in the club's successful
battle against relegation.
Having accepted Tevez was now controlled by West Ham, the Premier League
were compelled to state the club had to conduct the transfer. To accept
Joorabchian retains control of the player would not only be a major
climbdown but could result in legal action from Sheffield United, who felt
they were unfairly relegated. Unless FIFA or the FA can help manufacture a
breakthrough, the matter would appear to be heading for the courts.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hutchings confident over Harewood deal - Telegraph
By Neil Johnston
Last Updated: 1:29am BST 11/07/2007
Wigan's manager, Chris Hutchings, remains confident that he can follow up
Jason Koumas' £5.3 million arrival at the club by securing the signature of
the West Ham forward Marlon Harewood. Wales midfielder Koumas, who has
signed a four-year contract, yesterday became Hutchings' fifth and most
expensive signing of the summer after ending his five-year association with
West Brom. Hutchings wants to follow that up by adding Harewood, the
27-year-old former Nottingham Forest player, to his new-look squad although
the two clubs have been unable to reach an agreement, amid suggestions West
Ham are reluctant to sell to Wigan. Dave Whelan, the Wigan chairman, angered
West Ham in May by leading a protest to deduct points over the Carlos Tevez
and Javier Mascherano affair. Hutchings insisted that episode was in the
past and said he hoped a deal to sign Harewood could be concluded in the
next few days. "We've shown an interest in Marlon and that is on-going. What
happened towards the end of last season is in the past," Hutchings said.
Several clubs were keen to sign Koumas following West Brom's defeat to Derby
in May's play-off final, but the former Tranmere player admitted he was won
over by what Hutchings had to say. Koumas said: "After our first meeting I
knew he was the man I wanted to play for. It is a great challenge being back
in the Premiership."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Benitez Kops £5million Yossi - The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
July 11, 2007
RAFA BENITEZ has agreed a £5million fee with West Ham for contract-rebel
Yossi Benayoun. The midfielder is heading to Anfield today to thrash out
personal terms and undergo a medical. A deal between the clubs was finally
struck last night after weeks of haggling over the price. Benayoun, 27, was
absent from West Ham's opening training session yesterday as talks
progressed and the versatile Israeli now looks set to become Liverpool boss
Benitez's fifth signing of a mega summer spending spree. He joins £21.5m
striker Fernando Torres, £13.5m Ryan Babel from Ajax, Lucas Leiva, who cost
£8m and Ukraine striker Andriy Voronin. Benayoun is likely to sign a
four-year contract worth around £55,000 a week. He had been stalling on
signing a new Hammers deal since the Kop side first registered interest in
him more than a fortnight ago. An initial bid of £3m was rejected by West
Ham but the Reds did not give up their quest.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bellamy reveals Hammers joy - The Sun
By MIKE ANSTEAD
July 11, 2007
WEST HAM'S new £7.5million signing Craig Bellamy insists he has left
Liverpool a better player. The Reds striker signed a five-year deal with the
Hammers on yesterday morning. And Bellamy reckons West Ham can look forward
to seeing the very best of him. The Wales skipper said: "I had a great
experience at Liverpool and I believe West Ham will benefit this year
because I know I am a better player for it. "I supported Liverpool as a boy
and would have had the chance to play Champions League football again next
season. "But I needed to look beyond that, in the same way that Lucas Neill
did when he came here.
"I understood Lucas's position. If he'd joined Liverpool, he would have been
a squad player like I was. "Some people don't understand it but the
opportunity to be a senior figure at an ambitious club like West Ham is very
attractive. "It was important for me to start playing regular football. I
could sit at Liverpool as a squad player all day long, picking up my money,
playing every now and then but I'd be cheating myself and my personality. "I
want to play every week, to test myself and be in the firing line a little
bit. "I've signed a five-year contract here and I will be here for the long
term. I've moved around a bit in recent years, and now I want to settle.
"I'm 28 later this week and hopefully approaching the prime years of my
career. "I believe West Ham are going to see the best of me, I'm focusing on
giving my all for the Club and I'm really looking to the challenge ahead."
Bellamy becomes West Ham's third big summer signing after £7m Scott Parker
and £6m Julien Faubert. He added: "I'm delighted to be here. It's taken a
little bit longer than I would have liked but the main thing is that it is
done now and I can look forward to the challenge ahead. "I knew around two
weeks ago that there was an opportunity for me to head away from Liverpool.
"But I had to make sure that any move was the right one for me and not just
an off the cuff reaction. "I had a lot to weigh up, and in the end I
decided that West Ham United was the best move for me and that's why I'm
sitting here now.
"I wanted to make sure that if I left Liverpool it would be to a club that
is going to be pushing for Europe. "I want to play in Europe - it's
important to me and I felt that same drive and ambition here at West Ham.
"Obviously it would be naïve of me to say that we are going to qualify for
the Champions League next season but that's one thing we are really going to
be pushing for here in the future. "The club is looking to strengthen what
is already a very good squad, and West Ham are renowned for their open and
attacking football, so everything is perfect for me."
Hammers boss Alan Curbishley said: "I'm really pleased to have signed Craig.
"He is the right age, with the right experience, and has two qualities that
I really like - he is hungry and also a little bit angry. "He is keen to
prove to lots of people what he can do, having not been given much of a
chance at Liverpool.
"They have moved on now, but so has Craig, and I'm certain that we are going
to see the best of him at West Ham."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FIFA called in over Tevez row - the Sun
By ONLINE REPORTER
July 11, 2007
WORLD soccer bosses are set to be called in to break the deadlock over
Carlos Tevez's £38million move to Manchester United. The Argie striker's
proposed switch has been blocked after the Premier League ruled West Ham
must receive most of the fee. But Hammers cannot handle the transfer because
Tevez's economic rights are owned by businessman Kia Joorabchian. Now
Tevez's representatives are set to request help from FIFA and the FA — the
two bodies who oversee transfers. United would back such a move. A source
close to the talks said: "We are in deadlock and we need an independent body
to try and sort this mess out. "The lawyers all agree United and
Joorabchian are within their rights to do a deal — but the Premier League
are saying they can't. "The Premier League are covering their own backs
after allowing West Ham to continue playing Tevez last season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hutch's Marlon bid plea - The Sun
By MAX SHORT
July 11, 2007
CHRIS HUTCHINGS has urged West Ham to forgive and forget as he looks to add
Marlon Harewood to his Wigan squad. Latics boss Hutchings unveiled Jason
Koumas yesterday after the Welsh midfielder, 27, agreed a four-year deal
following a £5.3million move from West Brom. Wigan are now eyeing Hammers
striker Harewood, 27, but the clubs have yet to agree a fee which could be
around £3.5m. And there have been suggestions West Ham are reluctant to sell
to the JJB Stadium side. Latics chief Dave Whelan led calls for the
Londoners to be deducted points over the Carlos Tevez affair. But Hutchings
said: "What happened is in the past. You can't look back. "We've shown an
interest in Marlon and that is on-going." Wigan new-boy Koumas, who
attracted attention from several clubs, admitted he was won over by
Hutchings' plans. And Koumas added: "They have spent a lot of money on me
which proves they really want me."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FA twist to Tevez wrangle - This Is London
10.07.07
The Football Association may be asked to intervene in the tangled Carlos
Tevez affair as Kia Joorabchian and Manchester United struggle to solve
their transfer dispute with West Ham and the Premier League. Five days of
intense talks involving lawyers have failed to secure Tevez's move to Old
Trafford. And United, West Ham and Joorabchian's company MSI, who own Tevez,
are now discussing the idea of writing to FA chief executive Brian Barwick
to claim they have lost faith in the Premier League to act on the matter. In
a dramatic day of developments yesterday, the Premier League rejected
written requests from Tevez and Joorabchian to cancel the player's
registration with West Ham. Hammers to say he was terminating his contract
at Upton Park, even though it still has three years to run — a move which is
sure to interest the world governing body FIFA. United and Joorabchian's MSI
have verbally struck a deal to move the striker to Old Trafford on a
two-year loan, followed by an option to buy permanently. But this can only
proceed if West Ham admit they are entitled to no compensation for the
transfer of Tevez's Premier League registration to United. However, if the
Hammers do this, they will prove that the third-party influence, which broke
Premier League rule U18 and incurred a record £5.5m fine, is still in place,
even though they promised to terminate the agreement unilaterally after
receiving the fine on April 27. This was why Upton Park chairman Eggert
Magnusson issued a statement last week reiterating the fact that Tevez was
under contract at West Ham until 2010. Instead, the Hammers are expected to
take Joorabchian to court to contest the ownership of Tevez's registration.
Earlier this month, Magnusson said: "There is no agreement for Carlos Tevez
to leave the club and we expect him to return in time for next season's
preparations. "No decision on his future can be reached without the
agreement of West Ham."
The prospect of a High Court battle between Joorabchian and West Ham,
together with FIFA's involvement to examine Tevez's right to terminate his
own contract, could mean a long drawn-out affair. A player is not allowed to
terminate his own contract without "just sporting cause", which does not
include a desire to join a different club. United are understandably
frustrated by the stalemate. They want the player quickly and will back the
idea of turning the FA to act as arbitrators, even though this is totally
without precedent. A United spokesperson said last night: "We want Tevez to
come here and the player wants to come here. We all just want a quick and
easy solution so that the deal can be concluded."
The FA's power is limited, however, and may not offer a speedy resolution,
not least because Barwick is on holiday. The FA do not interfere in
transfers between clubs from the same league and this complaint could also
end up in the hands of FIFA or the Court of Arbitration for Sport if allowed
to follow its natural course.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
League say no as Tevez tries to cancel contract
· MSI and player apply to cancel his registration
· Court likely as Man United refuse to pay Hammers fee
Paul Kelso
Wednesday July 11, 2007
The Guardian
Manchester United's pursuit of Carlos Tevez edged closer to the courts last
night after the Premier League rejected an attempt by MSI, the offshore
company that brought the player to the Premiership, to cancel his
registration with West Ham United. The Premier League also rejected a
personal letter from Tevez in which he notified them that he was terminating
his contract with the London club. The Premier League refused to allow both
Tevez's letter and MSI's request on the grounds that it does not consider
that MSI have any rights over the player's registration, having been
informed by West Ham that the club has torn up its agreements with MSI. Last
Thursday the league ruled that Tevez could not join Manchester United unless
West Ham received any transfer fee in full.
The moves by MSI to free up the player to join United came as it emerged
that the Old Trafford hierarchy has ruled out paying West Ham anything for
the player as they do not consider that the London club are his owners.
United's position, established after talks with MSI, who own Tevez's
commercial rights, directly contradicts the Premier League's view. United
are satisfied however that West Ham have no rights over Tevez and Old
Trafford has been in negotiations with MSI's front man, Kia Joorabchian,
over a two-year loan deal that would include a right to buy the player for a
pre-arranged fee during that period. United also think that Tevez's
registration will transfer to them as they believe that technically the
Argentinian forward is a free-agent.
United's stance threatens to undermine the agreement reached between the
Premier League and West Ham in April after the club was found guilty of
breaking rules governing third-party agreements. On the morning after West
Ham were fined £5m for breaching regulation U18 the Premier League board
informed West Ham that Tevez could continue playing for them if the
offending contract, between West Ham and MSI, was unilaterally terminated by
the club.
West Ham are bound by undertakings given in a letter to the Premier League
following the ruling in which they said the contract with MSI had been
terminated. The league also made it clear that it has power of veto over any
transfer, and that it would only accept a commercially realistic transfer
fee for the player. The league will also not wave through any deal in which
Joorabchian was the primary beneficiary. Were they to allow any such deal,
or for the transfer to take place without West Ham's approval, it would make
a mockery of the assertion that the third-party agreement with MSI was
terminated.
In order for the Premier League's ruling to hold water West Ham have to
demonstrate that they own the player, exercising their rights by acting as
the selling club. Last night a West Ham source insisted that it had received
no offer from Manchester United, and until it did Tevez would remain their
player.
This leaves legal action in either the civil courts or the Court of
Arbitration for sport as the the most likely resolution to the deadlock, and
the escape route that would allow all parties to retire satisfied.
If, say, the CAS were to assert MSI's rights to receive a fee for Tevez the
Premier League would have little choice but to allow the deal to proceed,
but would be seen to have defended the integrity of its regulations. West
Ham, who had not expected a transfer feel before the league's intervention,
would also be happy with such an outcome.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Benítez finally gets his man as Benayoun makes £5m move to Anfield
Shaul Adar and Neil Johnston
Wednesday July 11, 2007
The Guardian
Liverpool have reached an agreement with West Ham for Yossi Benayoun who
will sign a four-year contract with the Anfield club today, pending a
medical. The go-ahead came after protracted negotiations since Benayoun
surprisingly refused to sign a new contract he had earlier agreed with West
Ham.
The Israel captain was on manager Rafael Benítez's wish list since
impressing him playing for Racing Santander in La Liga and performing
outstandingly against Liverpool in the 2006 FA Cup final.
Liverpool will pay the Hammers £5m and the midfielder is expect to earn
around £50,000 a week, slightly less than the rejected West Ham offer.
Benayoun will be the third Israeli to play for Liverpool after Avi Cohen and
Ronny Rosenthal. He is the second major signing of the week after the
capture of Fernando Torres.
Benayoun joined West Ham from Racing Santander in the summer of 2005. After
successful debut season he decided to stay at Upton Park despite interest
from Liverpool but was sidelined by successive managers, Alan Pardew and
Alan Curbishley, during a difficult campaign. Although he returned to the
starting line-up towards the end of the season and played an important role
in avoiding relegation he was still unhappy under Curbishley and was
determined to move to Liverpool once an offer was made. People close to the
player said yesterday that "it was his childhood dream".
Steven Gerrard has insisted that the time has come for Liverpool to be taken
seriously in the title race after acclaiming "a major statement of intent"
with the £26.5m signing of Torres.
"Torres has all the attributes to become firmly established as world class,"
said the Liverpool captain, who was nine when the club last won the title in
1990. "Some of the other players we're being linked with excite me too. It's
great to see us looking at young, hungry players with their best years ahead
of them.
"Since I've been in the first team I can't remember us making such a major
statement of intent in the transfer market as this. In recent years it's
only really been Manchester United and Chelsea buying players around the
£20m mark, so it's great to see us able to compete for players of that kind
of value.
"The Liverpool board has always backed the manager and we've invested
heavily over the years. Roy Evans and Gérard Houllier spent a lot of money,
but we have all been looking to that extra step to close the gap and attract
the kind of players United and Chelsea would be able to afford.
"This is the first summer in a long time we've been able to do that. I'll
bet players and fans from other clubs have been looking at us and thinking:
'Aye, aye, Liverpool are making a move for some of the big boys now."
Benítez is close to following up last week's club-record capture of Torres
from Atlético Madrid by securing the signature of Ajax's Ryan Babel.
Babel is set to undergo a medical after Liverpool agreed to pay Ajax around
£13.5m for the 20-year-old although a disagreement over the fee for Benayoun
has delayed the Israeli midfielder's arrival at Anfield.
David Nugent has reportedly agreed to join Portsmouth from Preston in a £6m
deal after new talks and reportedly will complete the move after the
expected formality of a medical today.
The 22-year-old, who won his first England cap as a goalscoring substitute
in the Euro 2008 qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona, looks set to sign a
four-year contract to become manager Harry Redknapp's sixth signing of the
summer and partially solve his striker crisis.
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Bolton, West Ham go for Newcastle's N'Zogbia
tribalfooball.com - July 10, 2007
Newcastle United starlet Charles N'Zogbia is wanted by West Ham and Bolton
Wanderers. The French utility player, who played all along the left side for
the Magpies last season, is unsettled at St James' Park after the club
stalled on offering him a new deal and West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is keen
to sign him, says the Daily Mail.
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THE MAN OF MANY CLUBS - The Mirror
By Lee West 11/07/2007
CRAIG BELLAMY has vowed to fire West Ham into Europe after sealing his
£7.5million switch from Liverpool. The provocative striker, 27, has penned a
five-year deal worth £60,000-a-week with the Hammers. And the transfer fee
is a club record, beating the £7.25m which went out of the Upton Park
coffers to Norwich for Dean Ashton in January 2006. Firebrand Bellamy, who
allegedly took a swing at team-mate John Arne Riise with a five-iron
following a row, has now moved to three clubs for a total of £18.5m in just
two years. He said: "I knew around two weeks ago that there was a chance to
head away from Liverpool, but I had to make sure that any move was the right
one for me - and not just an off-the-cuff reaction. "I had a lot to weigh up
and in the end I decided West Ham United was the best move for me. I wanted
to make sure that, if I left Liverpool, it would be to a club that is going
to be pushing for Europe. I want to play in Europe, it's important to me,
and I felt that same drive and ambition here at West Ham. Obviously it would
be naive of me to say that we are going to qualify for the Champions League
next season. "But that's one thing we are really going to be pushing for in
the future. "The club is looking to strengthen what is already a very good
squad, and West Ham are renowned for their open, attacking football - so
everything is perfect for me."
Bellamy moved from Newcastle to Blackburn for £5m in July 2005 before
joining Liverpool for £6m a little over 12 months ago. He scored nine goals
last season to help Rafa Benitez's side finish third in the Premiership and
reach the Champions League final. But the Wales captain knew his Anfield
days were numbered when Benitez last week splashed out £20m on Atletico
Madrid striker Fernando Torres and snapped up Ukrainian hitman Andriy
Voronin on a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen. Bellamy said: "I had a
great experience at Liverpool and I believe West Ham will benefit this year,
because I know I am a better player for it. It was important for me to start
playing regular football. "I could sit at Liverpool as a squad player,
picking up my money, playing every now and then, but I'd be cheating myself
and my personality. "I want to play every week, to test myself and be in the
firing line a little bit. I've signed a five-year deal, and I will behere
for the long term. I have moved around a bit in recent years, and now I want
to settle."
West Ham's fourth summer signing, after midfielders Scott Parker and Julien
Faubert plus keeper Richard Wright, Bellamy added: "I'm 28 later this week
and hopefully approaching the prime years of my career. "I will be focusing
on giving my all to ensure West Ham see the best of me." Never-ending
journey of the well travelled, badly-behaved Welsh striker
4 January 2005: Joins Celtic on loan for 4 months
3 June 2001: Moves to Newcastle for £6m
5 July 2005: Blackburn buy him for £5m
1 March 1997: Norwich debut
6 June 2006: Moves to Liverpool for £6m
2 August 2000: Signs for Coventry for £6.5m
7 July 2007: Moves to West Ham for £7.5m
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West Ham And Man Utd To Thrash Out Tevez Compromise - West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 11 July, 2007 - 07:05.
It appears that the increasingly messy and drawn out transfer of Carlos
Tevez from West Ham to Man Utd may finally be resolved shortly. The main
stumbling block is of course the fee, Premier League officials will not
allow the transfer to take place unless the majority of the funds go to West
Ham, Kia Joorabchain (correct spelling) Tevez's owner and agent obviously
thinks otherwise..
Behind the scenes lawyers have been working for all parties concerned, and
those clever chaps in sharp suits and TAG Heure watches have apparently come
up with a cunning but legal plan to resolve the impasse.. It goes something
like this, Manchester United MUST pay all monies for Carlitos directly to
West Ham, the player moves to Old Trafford with Hammers transferring his
registration to his new club in return for a transfer or loan fee, no fee is
paid to Joorabchain except for a standard 20% agents fee. At this point both
Man Utd and Hammers have fulfilled their obligations to the League
officials, the player moves clubs and the whole deal is rubber stamped. Only
THEN his agent gives notice to West Ham that he is taking the club to court
for unpaid 'rights'payments., The next stage is that legal representatives
of Joorabchain and Mr Magnusson sit down just after the case has started in
the high court and negotiate terms for an 'out of court settlement'. At this
point the matter is sub judice and even the Press won't be able to put the
boot in, the player gets his move, Redsox get their player (a blatant tap
up), his agent gets his cash and West Ham wash their hands of the whole
affair while at the same time recovering the £5.5 Million if fines that they
had to pay for the original transfer irregularities..Phew!.
There is one other way the deal could be done, as before all the fees go to
West Ham directly, but Joorabchain just takes a larger cut of his player's
wages and insists that they are paid in advance each year, this instantly
releases up to £5 Million in advance for Joorabchain. . Either way the deal
gets done and a line can be drawn under the whole affair, it will be very
interesting to see how Hammers play this one, the club has surely had enough
of being the biggest circus in town. - Ed...
PS: Many thanks to our legal eagle James Churchill for his research and
study of the 'Tevezgate' situation.
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