It is usually an arduous task sifting through the detritus of the Sunday tabloid gossip pages so before I start I am going to relay a couple of West Ham related snippets that come from a far more reliable source. Someone with a good connection to the club has let it be known that Carlos Tevez is now extremely close to signing on for another year. According to the inside information the player has always been content to stay at the club but will ultimately be compliant to the machinations of Kia Joorabchian. The West Ham management have been trying to reach an agreement with Tevez's representatives for some considerable time but the demands have constantly been changing. It is now thought that a deal is very close. The second piece of information surrounds Shaun Wright-Phillips. The club have firmed up their interest in this player to such an extent that a fee has been agreed. The player is currently on holiday but is aware of the situation and will be talking to us on his return. All this information is passed on in good faith and comes from someone who has an unblemished record in this kind of thing.
Now onto the fictional stuff! The News of the World are following the Shaun Wright-Phillips story but they quote a 'Blues insider' as saying the proposed figure of £11million would not be nearly enough to persuade Chelsea to sell. The article states West Ham United would also find it tough to persuade the diminutive winger to make the switch as he is not keen on surrendering the chance of playing in the Champions League. Although a wage packet of ££,000 (make up your own figure here) is on offer, no deal would take place before the result of the arbitration hearing is known. The same paper claims four Premiership clubs are chasing out of favour Hammers striker Marlon Harewood. Birmingham City have already had an offer rejected by the club for Harewood but it is claimed Fulham, Aston Villa and Portsmouth are also preparing bids. The 27 year old former Nottingham Forest forward is valued at £3.5million by Alan Curbishley and Harewood's agent, Mick McGuire said: "Marlon is keen to secure his future and we are hopeful of sorting out a deal".
The Star have picked up on The Sun story from yesterday and suggest Alan Curbishley wants Chelsea left back Wayne Bridge after missing out on Reading's Nicky Shorey. The Mirror have a different idea and insist the club are lining up a £5.5million swoop for Wigan's England Under-21 star Leighton Baines. The article states that Hammers boss Alan Curbishley wants the left-back to bolster his defence and is ready to match the Latics' asking price for Baines, who starred in the European Under-21 Championship. JJB chairman 'Honest' Dave Whelan would be reluctant to sell to the Hammers after the Carlos Tevez affair, but he has a policy of informing his players about transfer interest. At least he has integrity in one area of his professional life then.
The Sunday People has eschewed tawdry transfer speculation in favour of an update on the arbitration hearing. It is claimed that Sheffield United believe 'silence is golden' in their bid to regain a Premiership place or win a big cash pay out. Apparently, the Blades are taking the delay in a decision on the Carlos Tevez affair as a positive rather than a negative sign. The wait has raised the prospect of a least a hefty compensation award if the panel finds fault with the Premier League for refusing to dock West Ham United points for fielding Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.
The last word goes to The Observer who are running a story that Nigel Reo-Coker's proposed move to Aston Villa is in jeopardy because West Ham value the midfielder at far more than the £7million the Midlands club are prepared to offer. James Stirling writes that Reo-Coker cost only £500,000 when he moved to Upton Park from Wimbledon as a 19-year-old in January 2004, but his career has flourished until recently. He captained West Ham to promotion in 2005 then the FA Cup final a year later. He also led the England side that reached the semi-finals of the Uefa Under-21 Championship in Holland last week and sources close to Villa indicate the Hammers want as much as £12million for him. However, the player was the subject of widespread criticism from fans as West Ham struggled last season and is believed to have spoken to the board in a bid to get them to reduce the fee they require. An Aston Villa source said: "Reo-Coker wants to come to Aston Villa but in terms of agreeing a price, the two clubs are poles apart." When you consider the £10million fee paid by Aston Villa in January for the services of Ashley Young, a player with far less Premiership and international experience, you can certainly understand Eggert's Magnusson's position.
Now onto the fictional stuff! The News of the World are following the Shaun Wright-Phillips story but they quote a 'Blues insider' as saying the proposed figure of £11million would not be nearly enough to persuade Chelsea to sell. The article states West Ham United would also find it tough to persuade the diminutive winger to make the switch as he is not keen on surrendering the chance of playing in the Champions League. Although a wage packet of ££,000 (make up your own figure here) is on offer, no deal would take place before the result of the arbitration hearing is known. The same paper claims four Premiership clubs are chasing out of favour Hammers striker Marlon Harewood. Birmingham City have already had an offer rejected by the club for Harewood but it is claimed Fulham, Aston Villa and Portsmouth are also preparing bids. The 27 year old former Nottingham Forest forward is valued at £3.5million by Alan Curbishley and Harewood's agent, Mick McGuire said: "Marlon is keen to secure his future and we are hopeful of sorting out a deal".
The Star have picked up on The Sun story from yesterday and suggest Alan Curbishley wants Chelsea left back Wayne Bridge after missing out on Reading's Nicky Shorey. The Mirror have a different idea and insist the club are lining up a £5.5million swoop for Wigan's England Under-21 star Leighton Baines. The article states that Hammers boss Alan Curbishley wants the left-back to bolster his defence and is ready to match the Latics' asking price for Baines, who starred in the European Under-21 Championship. JJB chairman 'Honest' Dave Whelan would be reluctant to sell to the Hammers after the Carlos Tevez affair, but he has a policy of informing his players about transfer interest. At least he has integrity in one area of his professional life then.
The Sunday People has eschewed tawdry transfer speculation in favour of an update on the arbitration hearing. It is claimed that Sheffield United believe 'silence is golden' in their bid to regain a Premiership place or win a big cash pay out. Apparently, the Blades are taking the delay in a decision on the Carlos Tevez affair as a positive rather than a negative sign. The wait has raised the prospect of a least a hefty compensation award if the panel finds fault with the Premier League for refusing to dock West Ham United points for fielding Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.
The last word goes to The Observer who are running a story that Nigel Reo-Coker's proposed move to Aston Villa is in jeopardy because West Ham value the midfielder at far more than the £7million the Midlands club are prepared to offer. James Stirling writes that Reo-Coker cost only £500,000 when he moved to Upton Park from Wimbledon as a 19-year-old in January 2004, but his career has flourished until recently. He captained West Ham to promotion in 2005 then the FA Cup final a year later. He also led the England side that reached the semi-finals of the Uefa Under-21 Championship in Holland last week and sources close to Villa indicate the Hammers want as much as £12million for him. However, the player was the subject of widespread criticism from fans as West Ham struggled last season and is believed to have spoken to the board in a bid to get them to reduce the fee they require. An Aston Villa source said: "Reo-Coker wants to come to Aston Villa but in terms of agreeing a price, the two clubs are poles apart." When you consider the £10million fee paid by Aston Villa in January for the services of Ashley Young, a player with far less Premiership and international experience, you can certainly understand Eggert's Magnusson's position.
Posts
2 comments:
That picture of Nigel is really scarey. You are a very troubled man, Trilby!
You should show a little more respect to Nigel Reo-Coker. He is a great player who has been very harshly treated by a mindless minority
Post a Comment