Sam Allardyce believes that he can still persuade Winston Reid to sign a contract extension before the end of the season.
Up to now the Kiwi centre half had steadfastly refused to sign a new deal, having spent the last four years at West Ham since moving from FC Midtjylland.However Allardyce, who was briefing the press ahead of tomorrow night's FA Cup 3rd Round replay against Everton, maintains that he can still persuade the 26-year-old to remain at the Boleyn.
"I think that what we have done this season - and hopefully we'll finish off the season strongly - might persuade him to sign for us," he said.
"We are on the up at the moment and we have got a very big future ahead of us, moving into the new stadium. So the club could be bigger than it’s ever been in the next four to five years."
Allardyce added that there was no chance of Reid moving during the current transfer window - unless the club received a huge offer. "There’s no choice for me, he stays - that’s it," he said.
"If somebody makes a big offer then obviously the chairman decides, but for me he’s staying.
The chairman decides whether the money is big enough, but for me he stays and I think that the way the club has improved, I think he will stay."
* Something to say about this story? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.
