Hammers eye Dutch star

  • by Staff Writer
  • Monday, 20th August 2012

West Ham United have made an enquiry into the availability of former Real Madrid and Everton winger Royston Drenthe.

The 25-year-old Dutch wide man - a laft back who can also operate on the wing - is currently a free agent having been released by the Spanish giants during the summer.

Rotterdam-born Drenthe signed for Real Madrid in 2007 but made just 46 appearances for the club during his five years at The Bernabeu.

For the final two seasons of his contract he was sent out on loan to Hercules - then in La Liga - and subsequently to Everton for the duration of the 2011/12 campaign.

A colourful character, Drenthe's career has been dogged by controversy and he has faced disciplinary action at almost every club for whom he has played.

At a 15-year-old at Feyenoord he was close to being sacked following a disagreement with then-coach Marcel Bout before being shipped off to Excelsior (returning to De Kuip two years later).

Then, in 2008, he stormed out of Real Madrid's training ground - the club he had joined from Feyenoord for €14million a year earlier - after being left out of the club's 18-man match day squad for a fixture against Valencia.

And as recently as last season, he was ordered to stay away from Everton's training ground by David Moyes having reported late for training after being given leave on compassionate grounds.

Drenthe made just 10 league starts for the Toffees during his season on Merseyside and it was no surprise when they failed to take up their option to sign the player on a permanent basis.

Only last week it was claimed by the player's agent that he had received offers from Manchester City, Inter Milan and Galatasaray - although no firm offers have materialised as of yet.

Antonio Salerno, speaking on behalf of the one-times capped Dutch international said: "There have been many calls and now is the moment to decide. We didn't expect to be called by Manchester City and West Ham, but they asked me for information on Royston and his wage demands.

"The important thing is that Royston gets back to the playing field. He would prefer to play for a club in the Champions League, so Manchester City, Dynamo Kiev and a big Turkish side are the favourites at the moment."

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