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DOUBLE BUBBLE FOR WEST HAM
BLOND AMBITION: Alan Smith could be heading to West Ham
By Matt Law
WEST HAM are lining up a sensational £17million double deal to sign Barcelona’s Eidur Gudjohnsen and Alan Smith of Manchester United.
Boss Alan Curbishley could complete a £10m move for Gudjohnsen this week and has made an enquiry for £7m-rated Smith. Reading left-back Nicky Shorey is also still a target.
If Curbishley lands all three, he would take his summer spending to £45m, already having landed Scott Parker, Julien Faubert, Craig Bellamy and former Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg.
Eggert Magnusson has talked to both Barcelona and Gudjohnsen and is confident of tying up the signing of his Icelandic
countryman.
The player’s father and agent, Arnor, has hinted he would agree to the switch. “It would be something Eidur would consider as there are some Icelanders at West Ham, with the owners and all,” said Arnor.
“Barcelona have always told him it is up to him what he wants to do and they will not stand in his way if he wants to go.”
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Barcelona have always told him it is up to him what he wants to do
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West Ham made their initial move for former Chelsea forward Gudjohnsen last month, but he was not keen on a move to Upton Park at that stage. The lure of £90,000 a week, however, looks to have changed his mind.
Despite possibly having Gudjohnsen, Bellamy, Dean Ashton, Bobby Zamora and Carlton Cole at his disposal, Curbishley has also entered the race for Smith who, ironically, is surplus to requirements at United because of Carlos Tevez’s proposed move to Old Trafford.
Newcastle and Manchester City are also interested in Smith, but the Hammers are confident they can offer the best
deal.
Curbishley is desperate for a left-back because after selling Paul Konchesky he has only George McCartney for that position.
Reading still hope Shorey will sign a new contract, but the Hammers could double any offer and are prepared to pay £5m for the England international.
Discussions were last night continuing over an out-of-court compromise between West Ham and Kia Joorabchian that would allow Tevez to complete his transfer to United.
Sources close to Joorabchian suggest a deal is likely, with the Hammers receiving £6m to release the
striker’s registration. If agreement cannot be reached today, Joorabchian will issue his writ to the High Court tomorrow.
DOUBLE BUBBLE FOR WEST HAM.
31.07.07, 11:49pm
If Alan Smith is worth £7 million , im worth £5 million and im 62.
I think its time these managers were made accountable for the crazy deals they do .
• Posted by: bones27 • Report Comment
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