Hammers striker Paolo Di Canio is once again being linked with a move to Old Trafford, as West Ham continue to stall over offering the club captain a new contract.
A report in this mornings Daily Express claims that Di Canio - who looked set for a move northwards last January - is once again on Alex Ferguson's wish-list, as the northern club club look to boost their limited striker options.For Di Canio and West Ham the whole scenario must appear like deja vu; last January a move to Old Trafford nearly materialised for the Italian when Man Utd made a move for him ahead of the (31st January) Champions League deadline.
But their offer (of around £1.5m) was rejected by West Ham, and Man Utd failed to come back with an improved offer on that occasion.
Di Canio has filled several inches of the tabloids already this week after making repeated calls to West Ham, asking for a firm answer on whether they would be extending his current contract.
Paolo's current deal expires at the end of this season, just 8 months from now - and understandably, for a man with a young family, he wishes to know if he has a future in East London.
But Hammers chief's still refuse to comment on the situation, leaving the club's most influential player out on a limb.
Talking about the situation yesterday, Di Canio said:
"I don't want to put the club under pressure, all I want is an answer about whether I am in their plans for the future or not.
"People are speaking about whether £30,000 a week is too much, but that is silly because I have not asked for anything.
"It is not about a three year contract, just about me honestly wanting to know. I think it is fair to ask what is happening.
"Everyone knows that I want to stay. If they don't give me the answer it is not the end of the world, but I will make my decision. With only seven months of the contract left you look to the future.
"All I am waiting for is an answer because I don't want silence - it is only about respect."
Tony Gale, no great fan of Di Canio himself backed the club's ostrich-type stance when speaking on Capital Gold's phone-in show on Wednesday night. The former Hammers defender told listeners:
"The club are right not to offer Di Canio a new contract at this stage. What is the point of giving him a 3-year-deal, on £30k per week if they get relegated?
"Paolo should keep schtum and wait for the club to make a decision."
A poll conducted on KUMB's mailing list this week has confirmed that supporters back the idea of a new deal for Di Canio; over 95% of those polled backed a new contract for the club captain.
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