Tuesday's gossip includes west ham

[cockney hammer]

the mirror

West Ham join hunt for Roma ace Julio Baptista

West Ham are among a clutch of clubs interested in Roma's ex-Arsenal striker Julio Baptista.

The powerful Brazillian is just 12 months into a four-year contract at the Italian club but the club are willing to sacrifice him to free up some cash to strengthen their squad.

West Ham's striker crisis means they are scouring Europe for reinforcements up front but their cash crisis means they could only afford a loan deal.

Roma are more interested in a straight cash deal rather than a loan deal for the 27-year-old who moved to the club for £8million last summer.

Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is busy trying to persuade Barcelona hitman Eidur Gudjohnsen to quit Champions League winners Barcelona for Upton Park.

He is also interested in Bayern Munich marksman Luca Toni and Bordeaux contract rebel Marouane Chamakh.


the telegraph


West Ham poised to seal £7 million deal for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh



West Ham hope to secure the permanent transfer of the highly-rated Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh in a deal thought to be worth around £7 million.

Chief executive Scott Duxbury will fly to France to try to secure a move for the 25 year-old, who remains of interest to Arsenal.

If West Ham sign Chamakh it will come as a huge relief to manager Gianfranco Zola, who has made no secret of his desire to bring in at least one new striker this summer. West Ham will partly finance the deal with the expected sale of defender James Collins, who is interesting Stoke City and is available for around £5 million. Talks between the two clubs are ongoing.

One concern for West Ham is that Chamakh may carry out his threat to see out the final year of his contract at Bordeaux and then agree a free transfer next summer to Arsenal, who had a £5 million bid for the Moroccan international rejected earlier this summer.

Understandably the French club are keen to avoid that scenario and want to conclude a swift deal with West Ham, who are confident that negotiations will be successfully concluded on Tuesday.

Chamakh scored twice in Bordeaux's 3-2 win at Sochaux on Saturday to take his total to three goals in two French league games. West Ham had an initial offer of £4 million rejected and although club sources will not confirm the scale of their new bid, sources in France have indicated it could amount to around £7 million. Contrary to suggestions, there is no sell-on clause involved in the deal.

West Ham have been in talks with Barcelona's Eidur Gudjohnsen and Bayern Munich's Luca Toni, but Chamakh would appear to represent a younger, quicker option than either player.

However West Ham will continue to look to add to their squad before the transfer window closes at the end of this month, having already signed Luis Jiménez from Inter Milan on a season-long loan and agreed permanent deals for Radoslav Kovac and Herita Ilunga, plus the promising young former Chelsea striker Frank Nouble.

The club have continued to fiercely deny suggestions that they have to conduct a fire-sale to balance the books and have also dismissed out-of-hand claims that Zola is unhappy and considering his position.

On the contrary, it is understood that the manager is comfortable with the club's current transfer policy and is working closely with Duxbury and technical director Gianluca Nani to re-shape the squad.

West Ham have made no secret of the fact that they want to move on several fringe players such as Calum Davenport and Nigel Quashie, and would consider offers for others such as Julien Faubert and Collins, even though both are currently involved in the first-team.

Duxbury has to continue to try and balance the books and it is a case of West Ham having to sell to finance any purchases.

Manchester City have shown interest in Matthew Upson but West Ham will not sell their captain unless they receive an offer of at least £15 million. Even then the bid will be put to Zola to make a final decision but he may decide that such a fee, for a 30 year-old, represents good value as long as he is given funds to invest in his first-team squad.


the express

Potters poised to land Collins
Defender set to join Stoke

Skysports.com understands that Stoke are closing in on West Ham defender James Collins.

Potters manager Tony Pulis has declared his intention to make five more signings before the transfer window shuts at the end of August.

25-year-old Welshman Collins looks likely to be the next arrival after the two clubs agreed a fee.

It is believed that Stoke even want to push the move through before Wednesday's game away to Liverpool.

Collins has become a regular member of the West Ham side in recent times and started the 2-0 victory over Wolves on the opening day of the season.

The Hammers are understood to have spoken to Stoke about the possibility of taking Ryan Shawcross to Upton Park in part-exchange but this part of the deal is not expected to go ahead.


the mirror

NOTTINGHAM Forest have targeted West Ham defender Calum Davenport as the man to solve their defensive crisis.

Manager Billy Davies confirmed the Reds are looking to secure a loan deal for the former Spurs man, with a view to a permanent move.

The 26-year-old is currently out of favour at Upton Park, where manager Gianfranco Zola is insisting he trains with the youth team.

Davies believes the central defender, who finished last season on loan at Sunderland, can help bolster a back four that has been ravaged by injury and suspension.

But, while Forest are likely to agree a future potential fee of around £1.5m, they will initially look to take Davenport, who cost the Hammers £3m in January 2007, on loan.

"It is a possibility," said Davies. "Davenport is a name we have thought about.

"I am sitting down with my staff and putting together names to put to the board to recommend we should bring in.

"Let me say again, we will make sure that we are getting good value and that we are getting the right type of player.

"We are not going to bring players in for the sake of it."

Davies is still not a massive fan of the loan market, but hinted that it may be the best option now.
Aston Villa are weighing up a double swoop for Tottenham duo David Bentley and Jermaine Jenas, while Albert Reira could be off to Barcelona.

DAILY MAIL

Aston Villa are weighing up a double swoop for Tottenham duo David Bentley and Jermaine Jenas.

Barcelona are ready to offer £7m-rated Liverpool winger Albert Reira a move back to Spain.

Middlesbrough's Afonso Alves is in talks with Ajax over a move to Holland.

Rafa Benitez will fail to meet Athletic Bilbao's £12m asking price for Javi Martinez without selling again.

Gianfranco Zola has rubber-stamped the sale of James Collins to Stoke, to fund a move for Marouane Chamakh.

David James looks to set to be the next high-profile player on his way out of Portsmouth as the future of the club hangs in the balance.

DAILY EXPRESS

The FA have turned down a request from Crystal Palace to sanction a replay of the stormy clash with Bristol City.

Dietmar Hamann has snubbed Sven-Goran Eriksson's offer to join his Notts County revolution.

Rafa Benitez has been told he has just £1.5million left in his transfer kitty.

Arsene Wenger claims the Champions League is no longer lucrative enough for some clubs and will be replaced by a new European Super League.

DAILY STAR

Ledley King last night revealed he feared chronic knee problems would wreck his Tottenham career.

Lucas Leiva last night vowed to make Liverpool fans forget all about Xabi Alonso.

Bolton duo Gavin McCann and Danny Shittu will today join crisis club Portsmouth in a cut price £2m deal.

Sol Campbell is ready to take a huge pay cut to join Newcastle United.

Arsene Wenger last night claimed his Arsenal side has rediscovered their "united spirit."

Kevin Davies has agreed to a new deal at Bolton.

THE SUN

Chelsea have 24 hours to match Kun Aguero's £50million get-out clause at Atletico Madrid.

Birmingham last night clinched the signing of Sporting Gijon's Michel.

Luis Boa Morte fears he is out for the season.

Mark Robins is set to be named Norwich manager following the sacking of Bryan Gunn.

Hull are battling with Real Zaragoza to sign Real Madrid striker Alvaro Negredo.

DAILY MIRROR

Rafa Benitez has been left devastated after being told he has just £1.5million to spend by Liverpool's owners.

Burnley are trying to rush through a £2.8million deal for Andre Bikey to give him a dream debut against Manchester United tomorrow.

David James is ready to become the latest player to quit Portsmouth to save his World Cup dream.

West Ham are among a clutch of teams interested in striker Julio Baptista.

Real Madrid striker Alvaro Negredo is stalling on a £15million move to Hull as he would prefer to join Real Zaragoza.

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is ready to make a £6million offer for Middlesbrough defender David Wheater.

Manchester City are beating Chelsea to the signing of Brazilian teenager Rafael de Souza Rodolfo.

DAILY RECORD

Falkirk have rejected a £300,000 bid for Scott Arfield from an unnamed English club.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has been handed the chance to restart his career with St Etienne.

Hertha Berlin are hopeful of bringing Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin back to the German club. (German newspaper Bild)

Keep an eye on the gossip column throughout the day for updates and breaking news throughout the transfer window.



Chelsea have 24 hours to meet Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero's £50m get-out clause.
Ful The Sun

Barcelona and Real Madrid are interested in Liverpool winger Albert Riera.
Daily Mirror

Aston Villa are set to make a £6m offer for Middlesbrough defender David Wheater.
Daily Mirror

Keeper David James looks set to become the latest high-profile player to leave the club with Tottenham monitoring his situation at Fratton Park. Full story: Daily Star

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is preparing a double bid for Tottenham duo David Bentley and Jermaine Jenas.
Daily Mail

Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell is ready to take a huge pay cut to join relegated Newcastle.
Daily Star

West Ham are keeping tabs on Roma striker Julio Baptista. (Daily Mirror)

The Hammers will sell defender James Collins to Stoke for £5m to help fund a move for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh.
Daily Mail

Middlesbrough striker Afonso Alves is in talks with Ajax about a possible return to Dutch football. (Daily Mail)

Wigan are set to improve their offer to £2m for Crystal Palace striker Victor Moses.
Daily Mail

The Latics are also hopeful of completing the signing of Rayo Vallecano midfielder Mohamed Diame in the coming days. (The Guardian)

Middlesbrough have made a £5m bid for Derby striker Rob Hulse. (The Guardian)

Everton are continuing to monitor Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos and are also interested in Middlesbrough centre-back Robert Huth.
The Independent

Blackburn are close to signing Real Madrid defender Michel Salgado.
The Times

Manchester City appear to have beaten Chelsea to the signing of 16-year-old Brazilian striker Rafael de Souza Rodolfo from Fluminese.
The Sun

Birmingham are set to sign Sporting Gijon midfielder Michel for £3m.
The Sun

Burnley are hopeful of signing defender Andre Bikey in time for Wednesday's clash against Manchester United.
Daily Mirror

Blackburn are considering a swap deal involving Rovers striker Paul Gallagher and Watford forward Nathan Ellington.
The Sun

Portsmouth are preparing a bid for Bolton centre-back Danny Shittu, who is out of favour at the Reebok Stadium.
The Sun

Hull are battling with Real Zaragoza to sign £12m-rated Real Madrid striker Alvaro Negredo.
The Sun

Former Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann, who is a free agent, has rejected a chance to link up with old boss Sven-Goran Eriksson at Notts County.
The Sun

Bolton midfielder Gavin McCann is on the verge of joining Portsmouth.
Daily Mirror

Nottingham Forest are lining up a £1.5m bid to sign West Ham defender Calum Davenport. (Daily Star)



Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been told by the club's American owners he has only £1.5m to spend on new players.
Daily Mirror

Rotherham manager Mark Robins is set to be appointed the new manager of Norwich.
The Sun



Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has slapped an alcoholic drink ban on his players after midfielder David Bentley was recently charged with drink-driving. (Daily Star)

[Bishy]

Cheers CH

[west ham15]

Thank you very much CH

[1Carlos_Tevez]

[saludo de carlitos]

Baptista, yes please.

[issi]

Cheers CH

[shreddie]

I have it on good authority that Davenport has been offered to Forest and they are definitely interested, should be down to whether Davenport wants to go there or not.

[Hummer_I_mean_Hammer]

Cheers CH

[turks]

the telegraph


West Ham poised to seal £7 million deal for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh


This is about to happen its true

[kitthehammer]

i think collins being sold for chamakh who seems uninterested in coming to us is bloody stupid.

[Memorial Ground]

i think collins being sold for chamakh who seems uninterested in coming to us is bloody stupid.

why do you say that?

[Puff Daddy]

Would like to see Baptista at Upton Park. Stylish player and would give us yet more options

[saludo de carlitos]

the telegraph


West Ham poised to seal £7 million deal for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh


This is about to happen its true

Honest? How do you know?

[Henry Wilt]

Cheers CH.

[West Ham Matt]

Baptista, yes please.

I would rather the ****ing wrestler!

[linkstatic71]

the telegraph


West Ham poised to seal £7 million deal for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh


This is about to happen its true

You've got to say the magic word before anyone believes you 'FACT'

[Simply Moore]

i think collins being sold for chamakh who seems uninterested in coming to us is bloody stupid.

Is this the same chamakh who stated in l'equipe that he wants to join us?

[NickyB]

Would be sad to see JC go... but we badly need a striker! Would much rather have Marouane Chamakh than Baptista! Baptista seems well over rated! Got a few Gooner mates that couldn't wait to get rid, when he was with them.

[West Ham Boy's Club]

I recall Baptista scoring four goals in a League cup game for the Arse, but overall he didn't make much of an impression. Would be a good option as he can play as a supporting forward or drop deeper, but best to get him on a 'Nani' and try before we buy.

[Canadianhammer]

Thanks CH....have a good day!