Rams unhappy at Baradji deal

West Ham have been accused of hijacking the transfer of French midfielder Sekou Baradji by Championship outfit Derby County.

Derby thought they had captured the player after he spent the past week on loan with the Rams, a spell during which he took part in an 8-1 friendly win.

But the Hammers are understood to have made a last minute bid for the player late yesterday - and the prospect of joining a club based in the Premiership is understood to have persuaded Baradji to reject Derby's offer.

To rub salt into Derby's wounds, Baradji is likely to face the Rams this season as he has joined fellow Championship outfit Reading on loan until the end of 2005.the summer until November.