There's only 20 days to go until the transfer window closes once more ... we round-up the latest situation regarding the players tracked by the Hammers in recent days.
Lauren (Arsenal)Arsenal's Arsene Wenger announced today that the 29-year-old Cameroon full-back would be allowed to leave the club after six years service. Eggert Magnusson has already spoken to Lauren and if terms are agreeable a decision is likely to be heard by early next week. However several other clubs remain interested and could yet scupper United's plans.
Ashley Young (Watford)
Hornets boss Adrian Boothroyd revealed last night that he had rejected a £7m bid for the 21-year-old winger. Most press assumed that that bid was from West Ham United although it has been suggested since that the rejected offer was instead from Aston Villa, with the Hammers set to raise the bar imminently. Tottenham are just one of a number of clubs also thought to be showing interest.
Lucas Neill (Blackburn)
28-year-old full-back Neill has been cited as one of the Premiership's best recently and it is little surprise that several clubs - including Newcastle and Liverpool - are interested in signing him. West Ham United are thought to have made the best offer financially thus far for a player whose contract expires this summer; as with Lauren, a decision is likely to be announced in the early stages of next week.
Alexei Smertin (Dynamo Moscow)
A bid for the former Chelsea player who is available on a free looks doomed after Smertin's agent revealed that he didn't want to join a club embroiled in a relegation fight (whilst signing another player in his position - Nigel Quashie - doesn't appear to have aided United's cause). Fulham now look most likely to sign the 31-year-old midfielder.
Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea)
He came, he saw, he buggered off sharply. Despite a £10m fee being agreed between the two clubs Wright-Phillips failed to agree terms with United. The 25-year-old winger appears to be keeping his options open having also rejected Aston Villa's advances this week. Chelsea appear to have burnt their bridges somewhat, so expect further activity towards the end of the month.
Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough)
Gareth Southgate has stated categorically that the Aussie striker - whose contract is up in the summer, and who has already been the subject of a (rejected) bid from United of around £500,000 - will not be leaving 'Boro during the transfer window. However with Southgate in the market for a striker himself a potential swap deal involving Marlon Harewood has been (speculatively) mooted in some quarters. A has been reported by several sources.
Freddy Ljungberg (Arsenal)
Although strongly linked with Swedish international captain Ljungberg, United's interest isn't thought to have extended to much more than a phone call enquiring into his availability. Stories of supposed £7m bids - such as those that appeared in the Sun earlier in the week - would appear to have been wide of the mark.
David Beckham (Real Madrid)
We all know now that Beckham is off to America - yet the Hammers had enquired into his availability as late as Wednesday. However even Magnusson and his pals - affluent as they are - would have struggled to match the ridiculous $250m the former England captain will earn in the next five years.
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