Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by Kludgehammer »

Roy Keane appears to have lost his mind - now looking for his 18th striker as well:

Sunderland hope £5m bid for Carlton Cole will tempt Anton Ferdinand from West Ham

Sunderland boss Roy Keane has reportedly tabled a £5 million bid for West Ham striker Carlton Cole, hopeful that success would ease the path for Anton Ferdinand to leave Upton Park at the same time.

Although West Ham are refusing to comment on the speculation, it is understood Ferdinand will decide within the next 48 hours whether to complete a move to the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland are expected to confirm the season long-loan arrival of Marseille striker Djbril Cisse later today following a routine medical but Keane has targeted former England Under-21 international Carlton Cole, a close friend of Ferdinand's, in an effort to convince the central defender to join the club.

Sunderland have spent around £20 million so far this summer on new signings and promise to challenge the Premier League's top ten this season.

In contrast, West Ham have been under tight financial constraints and have made just one notable purchase to date in the form of Swiss defender Valon Behrami, a £5 million capture from Lazio.

Manager Alan Curbishley is desperate to improve his injury plighted squad, admitting he is hoping to add some much needed reinforcement by the end of the transfer window.

But it has been suggested elsewhere that Curbishley is at odds with the club's new Italian technical director Gianluca Nani, disagreeing over pending arrivals.

Nani, tasked with scouring Europe and South America for promising talent, is said to have agreed terms with Brazilian outfit Santos for Chilean striker Sabastian Pinto, initially on loan with a view to a permanent four-year deal, and planned to use a midweek behind closed-doors friendly with QPR to trial the promising prospect.

Curbishley, however, refused to include the player in the reserve outing, allegedly unhappy that the volatile South American, known as 'The Tank', was brought in without his final approval.

Pinto, who has decided to leave Santos following a dispute with the club's management despite having recently signed for them, has been lined-up by Nani to replace Cole.

But should Cole, who forced his way back into Curbishley's integral first team plans with an impressive improvement last season, leave, West Ham would be left decisively short on attacking options.

With Craig Bellamy out injured until next month, coupled by Dean Ashton suffering a slight setback on opening day with his calf, Carlton Cole is Curbishley's only fit senior striker.

In other news, West Ham Captain Lucas Neill has revealed he is in preliminary discussions with the club to extend his current £70,000-per week deal, which expires next June.
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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by Puff Daddy »

Is this Pinto geezer a bigger tank than Fat Dean ?
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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by rosecityhammer »

Just a blurb...

http://www.thesoccerblog.org/premiershi ... ver-pinto/

West Ham Boss Reportedly Clashes With Nani Over Pinto

Press reports this morning claim West Ham boss Alan Curbishley isn't happy with new technical director Gianluca Nani about the possible signing of Chilean striker Sebastian Pinto.

The Santos striker flew into London to play in a trail match for the Hammers with the view to completing a £5million on a four-year deal.

But the Mirror claims that Nani, who was appointed last season to help Curbishley find players, had persuaded the Brazilian club to loan out Pinto and talked the player into the move too.

Hammers boss Curbishley wasn't however thought to be impressed and refused to play Pinto in the "trial" match.
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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by orpingtonhammer »

Marseille have confirmed defender Gael Givet is free to leave the Ligue 1 club.

West Ham have been linked with a move for the France international, however, Greek outfit Panathinaikos currently lead the chase for his signature.

L'OM have allowed Givet to move on in search of first-team football following the summer signing of Lens' Vitorino Hilton.

Marseille president Pape Diouf has confirmed Givet can leave the Stade Velodrome and that clubs in England have tabled bids for the 26-year-stopper.

sky sports
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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by cockney farmer »

WEST HAM boss Alan Curbishley is on collision course with the club’s owners over the future of Anton Ferdinand.

Supremo Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson is keen to cash in on the centre-back and has accepted an £8million bid from Sunderland.

Ferdinand, 23, is expected to complete the switch once personal terms are agreed and is out of Hammers’ clash with Manchester City tomorrow with a hamstring strain.

But Curbs wants Ferdinand to stay at Upton Park and insists the final decision over the former England Under-21 star is down to him.

He said: “There has been a lot of speculation but he’s definitely in my plans.

“Matt Upson and Calum Davenport are playing now but we’ve got three other defenders injured so the nearest one to getting back in the team is Anton.

“I will always have the final word on who comes in and out.

“I don’t know if that happens at other clubs but here it does.”

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... 596308.ece
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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by szola »

No rift with Nani

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 77,00.html


Alan Curbishley has dismissed reports claiming he has fallen out with Gianluca Nani.

The West Ham boss was rumoured to have disagreed with the club's technical director in regards to Chilean trialist Sebastian Pinto.

A national newspaper claimed Curbishley had refused to play the striker in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday.

However, the former Charlton manager claims Pinto completed an unsuccessful 80-minute run out, and is at a loss as to where the rumours have emanated from.
Despair

"I do despair sometimes about what is written about us and I've been saying it for 18 months but it doesn't seem to make any difference," the Hammers coach told the Echo.

"If someone had just made a phone call (they would have discovered that) the boy played.

"He came over, he played on Tuesday in a reserve game arranged with QPR a week before that for James Collins to play in.

"He played for 80 minutes.

"He played, we didn't fancy it and he's gone back.

"After the game, me and Nani went to QPR to watch South Africa and Australia and then I dropped him home, so if I had a big row he wouldn't have got in the car."

Injuries

Curbishley went on to confirm that another specially arranged friendly will take place next week in order to help George McCartney with his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury and a bout of pneumonia.

"We had two people playing in that game (against QPR) aside from the ones coming back from injuries. (Lee) Bowyer played in it, as did (Nigel) Quashie," he added.

"We're trying to get another one arranged for next week for McCartney and one or two others."
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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by munichhammer »

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/f ... e16847.ece" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

APPI 'AMMER FOR CURBS
West Ham team jet out to land Ghana ace
Stephen Appiah
HE'S GHANA COME - Stephen Appiah could become a West Ham player

By ROB SHEPHERD, 23/08/2008
WEST HAM staff fly to Italy this week in a bid to snap up Ghana ace Stephen Appiah.

The midfielder, 27, played with Turkish club Fernebahce last season but he wants to move on.

Appiah, who suffered a long spell out with injury, previously played for Juventus and is currently living back in Turin.

The first problem for Alan Curbishley’s outfit is to clarify his contractual status before aiming to secure either a loan move or permanent deal ahead of the transfer window closure.
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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by hammer2192 »

http://www.fansonline.net/westham/article.php?id=116" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hammer-Tastic XV - More on Pinto; Bresciano, Cavani and Appiah By Harry Amber-Mitchell
Posted on Sunday 24 Aug 2008 12:16:00

West Ham have been linked to all and sundry recently, so it's only fair we run a fine toothcomb over the possible transfers to let YOU know what to say to your mates when you need to have an opinion at the pub.


Or maybe you're just bored and are waiting for something...ANYTHING...to get your teeth into transfer-wise before the window slams shut on the Premier League managers' fingers.

Sebastian Pinto

The Chilean striker was the subject of debate even before he reportedly entered the UK, as his presence apparently divided Curbishley and Nani.

But we've had a little bit more info on the player in the last few hours from Argentina, and apparently his move is likely to be scuppered by a huge lack of match fitness, and an apparent inability to find a new club.

Stinks of desperation really, doesn't it?

Anyway, it's unlikely he'll be turning up any time soon, as he isn't really the kind of player the Hammers are looking for at those fitness levels.

Stephen Appiah

The former Juventus player has been the subject of some speculation since he declared himself out of contract from Fenerbahce, and apparently West Ham representatives are out in Italy (where he's probably just hanging out, trying to get a new contract) to see what's what.

Harry Redknapp says he's not looking at the player as he's injured, so the party is both checking out his fitness and looking at his contractual situation as we speak. Well, we're not technically talking, and they may have gone to get a cup of tea or something, but you know what we mean.

Why are you always questioning us, hmmm?

Mark Bresciano

The Palermo Aussie defender has been the subject of Hammer speculation all summer, and his transfer to whoever would be a great thing, as if nothing else it would bring closure to the whole situation.

Palermo were apparently in town to discuss his transfer with Rangers, but apparently things haven't gone as well as expected, and the loss of Anton Ferdinand (if he goes) would leave a defender-shaped hole.

This is a player Curbs has had his eye on for a while, and the lack of activity on the Scottish front means this could be a player that might just make it into the east end...and may even stay as well.

Edison Cavani

This week has seen the re-emergence of the link between Palermo and the Hammers for the striker, with it being clear that a new hit man is on the radar with the amount being linked.

His power and talent are undisputed, but it seems the player wants to go, while the board are undecided on whether to let him go, or prove himself for at least another half season.

Who knows on this one. In fact, all the above could end up being non-starters. But although media speculation contains a huge amount of fiction, there's always a shred of truth in all of the links, so it can't hurt to know, eh?
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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by szola »

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 88,00.html

Marseille stand firm on Givet
Defender linked with move to West Ham


By Francisco Acedo

Marseille have insisted that defender Gael Givet will only leave the club for the right price.

President Pape Diouf confirmed last week that Marseille would be willing to let the 26-year-old France international go.

Diouf revealed that there had been interest in Givet from Panathinaikos and a number of English clubs.

West Ham have been linked with Givet for some time and reports on the continent have now suggested they are in advanced negotiations over a deal.

Givet is thought to favour a move to the Premier League but Marseille's directors have made it clear they will not part with him cheaply.

"We only are interested in a good deal," they said in a statement. "If this is not

possible he will stay at Marseille."

Givet, who joined Marseille from Monaco in 2007, is valued at around 7million euros (£5.6million).
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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by Rainham Hammer »

Appiah at Appear at West Ham on Friday

The West Ham board have agreed a fee of £5m for ex Juventus Midfielder Stephen Appiah and have sent staff out to Turin finalise the deal.

Stephen Appiah should be at Upton Park for a medical on Friday and all going well he will be training with the squad during the weekend.

The sale of Ferdinand for £8m has obviously given Curbs a little spending power hence why all of a sudden after weeks of negotiations this deal is at its latter stages.

Appiah did have a long spell from training and competing in matches due to injuries, but now is 100% fit and ready to join the Hammers and to give Curbs some relief in an area that is lacking talent.

http://cmonyuirons.com/2008/08/appiah-a ... d&owa_sid=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by Damn Yankee »


Its not even worth posting the crap this moron puts on his website.
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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by westhamerica »

Original Source: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... 610991.ece

"ALAN CURBISHLEY heads into a crucial four days at West Ham after securing the backing of his bosses - for now.
The board agreed a £5million move for Stephen Appiah and a delegation are in Italy to hammer out the details with the 27-year-old former Juventus and Fenerbahce midfielder.

A deal should be completed within the next 48 hours to give Curbs some temporary security during a worrying spell for the Hammers' boss.

He heads into tonight’s treacherous Carling Cup tie against League Two’s Macclesfield after selling England defender Anton Ferdinand to Sunderland for £8m.

West Ham were stuffed 3-0 at Manchester City on Sunday and last night Curbishley was forced to deny speculation £7.5m record-signing Craig Bellamy was being flogged to City to save cash.

And on Saturday Blackburn visit Upton Park with new gaffer Paul Ince, who is a hate figure for Hammers fans over his controversial move to Manchester United in 1989.

Curbs is still to win over the fans himself and seeing Ince strut out of East London with a win would turn the screw even more from the stands.

Speculation

A crowd of just 10,000 is expected at Upton Park tonight but they will demand Curbishley takes the Carling Cup seriously as it represents one of only two realistic opportunities for the club to win a trophy this season. Ferdinand, 23, was sold to Sunderland after he snubbed a deal to almost QUADRUPLE his wages.

SunSport can reveal the England Under-21 player was offered a £45,000-a-week deal to replace his current £12,000 pay packet.

When he refused to sign, a decision was agreed to sell Rio’s little brother.

A source revealed: “The situation was very simple. Anton was offered a big contract and he refused.

“It is policy for a player his age, who we want to keep, not to allow them to go into the final year unsigned.

“The board spoke with the manager over the weekend and a decision was taken to sell him.”

Despite losing Ferdinand, Curbishley insists striker Bellamy is staying.

He said: “It’s nonsense. I don’t think anybody else will be going. Craig looked sharp in pre-season and gives us something extra with his pace.

“He is in full training so it’s more realistic he’ll be ready on Saturday.”

And chief executive Scott Duxbury said: “We have absolutely no intention of selling Craig Bellamy. He is under contract and is committed to the club. Craig remains a very important part of our plans for the future.

“If a player refuses to sign a new contract or is not crucial to the manager’s plans, then we will look at offers on a case-by-case basis.”

Curbs added: “We’re under pressure because we’re short at the back because of injury. I’ll have to check what budget is available.”
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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by kitthehammer »

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 09535.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Although they are attempting to make two signings before the window closes, West Ham want to make both loan deals with a view to a permanent transfer. The club's technical director, Gianluca Nani, has identified the Marseilles defender Gael Givet and the Paris St-Germain striker Peguy Luyindula as additions to the squads. Both French clubs would, however, prefer to negotiate permanent deals.

There are several fringe players up for sale, such as the midfielder Nigel Quashie, but all the moves have been agreed with Curbishley at a recent board meeting. The club strongly rejects any suggestions that they want to sell defender Matthew Upson, for example.
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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by GaryP »

c+p Sporting life

Former Birmingham striker Walter Pandiani is negotiating a return to the Premier League, according to his agent.

The 32-year-old from Uruguay is currently at Spanish side Osasuna and has been linked with Fulham and West Ham.

Eugenio Botas, agent for the player nicknamed 'The Rifle', said: "We are in talks with several English clubs. A decision could be taken at the weekend or next Monday."
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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by ageing hammer »

GaryP wrote:c+p Sporting life

Former Birmingham striker Walter Pandiani is negotiating a return to the Premier League, according to his agent.

The 32-year-old from Uruguay is currently at Spanish side Osasuna and has been linked with Fulham and West Ham.

Eugenio Botas, agent for the player nicknamed 'The Rifle', said: "We are in talks with several English clubs. A decision could be taken at the weekend or next Monday."
So we get "the rifle" and Curbs gets the bullet. :think:
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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by davids cross »

Cole considers Hammers exit........Sky.

Sunderland target frustrated at West Ham's failure to resolve his future

Last updated: 28th August 2008

Skysports.com understands Carlton Cole is considering his future at West Ham following the club's failure to resolve his contractual situation.

The 24-year-old was the subject of a bid from Premiership rivals Sunderland recently, while two more clubs, one from abroad, are tracking the striker.

Cole, who scored in the Hammers' 4-1 Carling Cup win over Macclesfield on Wednesday night, has become a key figure at Upton Park over the last 15 months.

Having played over 30 Premiership games for the East Londoners last season he is now firmly established an integral part of Alan Curbishley's first XI and has started both of the club's league fixtures this term.

However, it appears the player has become unsettled as a result of West Ham's failure to secure his future with talks over a new long-term contract having stalled.

The hit-man was keen to commit himself to the Hammers, but having received no assurances regarding his future is now considering his options.

With just four days to go before the transfer window shuts it could now be that Sunderland, and his other suitors, choose to step up their interest in the powerful striker.
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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by Essex Dave »

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 622428.ece

West Ham United have offered a trial to Marco Zoro, the Ivory Coast and Benfica centre back. The 24-year-old had endured a difficult time when he played for Messina, where he was subjected to racist abuse by opposition fans. During his four-year spell with the Italian club, which ended last year, he once threatened to walk off the pitch and on another occasion wanted the referee to abandon the match.
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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by Cockney Rebel »

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 12130.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ALAN CURBISHLEY is under increasing pressure at West Ham United, with the Croatia coach, Slaven Bilic, understood to be interested in succeeding him at Upton Park should he be sacked. No final decision has been taken on whether to dispense with Curbishley, and he may yet salvage his career with a string of positive results, but there is a growing sense of frustration over what is perceived to be his negative attitude, given the apparent strength of his squad.

Part of the reason for the growing scrutiny over Curbishley is a lack of knowledge of the foreign transfer market. He has himself admitted to a weakness in this area in the past, which helps to explain why West Ham have employed the Italian Gianluca Nani as the club's technical director.

The squad should be enhanced further today with another Nani recruit as West Ham hope to announce the signing of the powerful midfielder Stephen Appiah from Fenerbahce for £5m, although they were last night dealing with late interest from the Ghanaian's former club Juventus. Two more Nani signings are expected before the transfer window closes at midnight on Monday – a striker and a defender – with the leading candidates including Henrik Larsson and Pegguy Luyindula for the attacking role and Gaël Givet in defence. The latter two would be season-long loans with an option to buy.

West Ham believe the arrivals would complete one of the most impressive squads in the Premier League, including a strong spine to the team and several experienced internationals, and would take the number of players with first-team squad numbers to 35. That includes eight young players but, with an accent on youth, all such as Freddie Sears and James Tomkins have bright first-team futures. Despite that there is a hysteria now surrounding the club and fans are chanting that they want Curbishley out while bookmakers have made him the favourite to be the first Premier League manager sacked. Those chants reached a crescendo on Wednesday evening during the Carling Cup encounter with Macclesfield Town.

The League Two club were beaten only after being reduced to 10 men and the tie going into extra time at Upton Park, which was barely a third full for the fixture. After the match Curbishley was in defiant mood, declaring that he had the full backing of the board and said he was "disappointed" over the speculation surrounding his future.

Much of the hysteria has been blamed on Curbishley and his own behaviour – not least the way he handled the £7m departure of Anton Ferdinand to Sunderland, suggesting the sale was beyond his control. However, it appears he accepted that losing the defender, who had turned down the offer of a five-year contract, would not hurt the first team. Beyond that there is the questioning of tactics, his coaching methods and, also, his demeanour. It has been a difficult summer at West Ham which, given that they have appointed Nani, and overhauled their infra-structure should not have been the case. The medical department has been revamped to deal with the chronic injury crisis at the club while plans for a new training ground are progressing. Curbishley, who has one more season after this one on his contract having succeeded Alan Pardew in 2006, would be eligible for a pay-off of around £1m if he is sacked.

If West Ham were to lose against Blackburn Rovers at home tomorrow, and produce another poor performance, then Curbishley's position could become untenable even this early into the season. Curbishley will be relieved to know that Craig Bellamy, who has been the subject of a rebuffed bid by Manchester City, is fit and is expected to partner Dean Ashton in attack which increases the chances of securing a victory. West Ham's next match after tomorrow is away to newly promoted West Bromwich Albion and, at present, Curbishley should be in charge for that game, although the situation is now, according to sources, being reviewed on a match-by-match basis.

West Ham have made no secret that, after the spending spree overseen by the former chairman Eggert Magnusson, and wages he offered to players, they have to be more fiscally aware. The owner and chairman, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, has demanded more financial accountability and a balancing of the books.

If Curbishley is sacked, Bilic would be the outstanding candidate to replace him, although West Ham would undoubtedly consider other options as they search for a more charismatic, dynamic manager. According to sources in Croatia, the 39-year-old is closely following developments at West Ham and would want to take the job if it was offered to him even though, before this summer's European Championship, he signed a new two-year deal to coach his country for the World Cup campaign.

There are, however, believed to be get-out clauses in his contract and the compensation payable to the Croatian Football Association would be minimal for the former defender, who became a cult hero at West Ham even though he only made 48 appearances, in 1996-97, before joining Everton. Bilic insisted, however, that he did not move before West Ham were safe from relegation.
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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by Swiss Pauli »

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_ ... ug29q.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lazio stopper Guglielmo Stendardo believes he will still be a Biancocelesti player when the transfer window closes.

The pugnacious defender spent the second half of last season on loan to Juventus after a series of rows with Lazio boss Delio Rossi.

And he had been linked with a move to one of several Serie A sides with a long list of suitors including Bologna and Udinese.

But the 27-year-old insists that he has no problem with Rossi and would be happy to start the season with the Aquile.

“I have received lots of offers and I don't know what will happen,” he said on Radio Incontro.

“But I have five years on my contract at Lazio and I am proud to wear this shirt.

“For me Lazio is a great place to arrive at and I have always compared the club to Real Madrid.

“The fans are extraordinary and in Rome they live football.

“Naturally my first choice will always be to play for Napoli because they are my hometown club.

“But I will behave like a professional. I have no problem with Rossi and I have a good relationship with the other players at Lazio.”
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Re: Summer transfer gossip (c&p only please)

Post by Arch Dandy »

NOTW

SLAVEN BILIC is ready to quit Croatia and take over at West Ham.

Upton Park boss Alan Curbishley earned himself a temporary stay of execution as his side thumped Blackburn 4-1 on Saturday.

But despite making it two wins from their first three games — their best Premier League start for nine years — time is running out for Curbishley.

West Ham are convinced that Bilic, 39, would be prepared to leave Croatia after their World Cup 2012 qualifying clash with England in 10 days.

West Ham’s win over Blackburn lifted the intense pressure Curbishley has been under.

Curbishley and the club have clashed in recent weeks over transfer policy, especially the £8million sale of Anton Ferdinand to Sunderland.

Sport Of The World understands there is also growing concern among board members about Curbishley’s tactics, man-management and lack of knowledge in the overseas transfer market.

The board’s view is compounded by the growing discontent amongst Hammers fans who have failed to take to Curbishley.

Bilic is the No 1 candidate to replace him.

Although he played for the Hammers for just over a year in the mid-nineties, his passionate style earned him cult status and his charismatic leadership of Croatia has brought him to the attention of several clubs.

Bilic, who plotted England’s downfall in the Euro 2008 qualifiers and has a get- out clause in his contract, will find it hard to resist the lure of a Premier League job. He currently earns just over £100,000 a year but could command between £1.5m- £2m.

Meanwhile, Curbs is still chasing £5m- rated midfielder Stephen Appiah from Fenerbahce and trying to tie up a loan deal with Sweden striker Henrik Larsson.
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