West Ham want to take Sunderland star Kieran Richardson home to London
West HAM want to bring Kieran Richardson home to London next season – if they are still in the Premier League.
The Hammers hierarchy are working hard to set up a deal for the 26-year-old midfielder, who has been outstanding in Steve Bruce’s team this season but may be tempted by a move back to the capital.
Richardson was born in Greenwich and had a spell as an Upton Park trainee.
However, before he could make his debut he moved to Manchester United in 2001, aged 17, staying for five years until switching to the Stadium of Light.
Appeal
He has been in impressive form this season but the lure of West Ham – and the chance to be one of their local heroes in the build-up to the scheduled Olympic Stadium move – may appeal.
However, the Hammers have to guarantee their Premier League status before Richardson will consider it, while the club could not fund a deal worth about £7million if they were in the Championship.
Richardson has played in several roles for Sunderland this season but Bruce may let him go for the right price. The former England cap faces being chopped and changed even more next season as the Black Cats plan arrivals of their own.
The Hammers could also be interested in Richardson’s team-mate Anton Ferdinand, 26, another Upton Park old boy, who is a free agent in the summer and could be a shrewd squad addition.
the people
Tel Ben Haim is training without pay at Portsmouth after gentleman's agreement breaksdown
TAL BEN HAIM is training without pay at Portsmouth – due to the breakdown of a supposed ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with West Ham.
The former Chelsea and Manchester City defender is not receiving his £37,000-a-week wages and has no squad number at Fratton Park.
Sources close to the player claim West Ham agreed to take Ben Haim off Pompey’s wage bill in return for not having to pay compensation for manager Avram Grant, who left the south coast club for Upton Park last summer.
But the 28-year-old Israeli’s loan deal at The Hammers officially expired in January and, after he made little impact during the first half of the season, he was sent back to Pompey.
There is no suggestion West Ham were obliged to stick to any verbal agreement but Ben Haim has now been left in limbo, with neither club wanting to meet his current wages.Pompey signed the centre-back in August 2009, shortly before Grant took over as boss, but there was no clause in the deal entitling them to cut his pay in the event of relegation.
When they went down in May, Pompey worked hard at trying to find a buyer for the player.
Ben Haim’s situation could lead to a tightening-up of the rules regarding players who move to clubs on loan ‘with a view to a permanent deal’ – which has proved a grey area for several footballers.
Select
Amazingly, the Israeli is one of three senior professionals Pompey boss Steve Cotterill is now unable to select for the first team.
Cotterill has masterminded a fine run of recent form which has left the cash-strapped club in play-off contention, despite a wafer-thin squad.
Yet Michael Brown and Richard Hughes are also unavailable due to clauses in their contracts entitling them to new deals if they make further appearances for the south coast club.
the mirror
Hammers interested in snaring Richardson
West Ham want to bring Kieran Richardson home to London next season – if they are still in the Premier League.
The Hammers hierarchy are working hard to set up a deal for the 26-year-old midfielder, who has been outstanding in Steve Bruce’s team this season but may be tempted by a move back to the capital.
Richardson was born in Greenwich and had a spell as an Upton Park trainee.
the mirror
Grant hails 'new signing' Hitzlsperger
Avram Grant hailed Thomas Hitzlsperger as his “fifth January signing” after the German midfield star inspired West Ham to a stunning 3-0 victory over Stoke at Upton Park.
The win lifted West Ham out of the Premier League relegation zone – and Hitzlsperger played a huge part as he attempts to make up for lost time.
The Germany international was in reality Grant’s first signing last summer when he arrived in East London on a Bosman free transfer from Lazio.
But a frustrating thigh injury sidelined him until last month when he played against Burnley in a 5-1 FA Cup win.
And with every passing week Hitzlsperger becomes a bigger hit with the Hammers’ fans.
“I am delighted for him,” said manager Grant. “Obviously he was not happy when he had the injury, but now he is back our midfield has more balance.
“We brought in four players during the last window – but with Thomas coming back it is like having a fifth signing.”
And Grant remains confident that West Ham can avoid the drop.
“When we got our injured players back, we were confident we could do it,” he said.
“I was confident when we were five points behind the others so, yes, I am now as well. We are on the way to achieving our target.”
Sir Alex Ferguson is planning a £100m spending spree to rebuild Manchester United in the summer. Tottenham's Gareth Bale (£30m), Aston Villa's Ashley Young (£20m), Jordan Henderson of Sunderland (£15m), Everton's Jack Rodwell (£20m), Alex Oxdale-Chamberlain of Southampton (£10m) and Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg (£10m) are all on the shopping list.
Sunday Express
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina could be sold to Manchester United after the Spaniard refused to exempt the Premier League leaders from an exit clause in his contract.
News of the World (Subscription required)
Liverpool are making moves to take Real Madrid's £10m-rated Argentina midfielder Fernando Gago to Anfield.
The People
Everton and Liverpool will join the summer chase for Bristol City's 24-year-old striker Nicky Maynard.
News of the World (Subscription required)
Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson has told Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni that he has no intention of quitting Old Trafford.
Sunday Mirror
Hamburg have been alerted by Joey Barton's contract talks breaking down at Newcastle United and could be ready to make a bid for the midfielder.
The People
Newcastle are ready to make a £12m bid for FC Lorient's 23-year-old striker Kevin Gameiro.
News of the World (Subscription required)
Manchester City have stepped up their interest in 22-year-old Benfica full-back Fabio Coentrao, who has a £25m buy-out clause in his contract.
The People
Turkish sides Besiktas and Galatasaray are to battle it out for Stoke defender Abdoulaye Faye in the summer.
Mail on Sunday
QPR will make a move for Birmingham midfieler Lee Bowyer if they win promotion to the Premier League.
The People
Steve Kean is clinging to his job as Blackburn manager. The club's Indian owners were intent on entering talks over ending his two-year contract following Rovers 3-2 defeat at Fulham on Sunday.
News of the World (Subscription required)
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has encouraged his Manchester United rival Sir Alex Ferguson to show more respect to referees.
Sunday Mirror
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has pledged his future to the Stamford Bridge club and promised fans he won't leave to manage his beloved Roma.
Sunday Mirror
Wealthy German club Hoffenheim want Everton manager David Moyes to be their next boss.
The People
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli admits he is an animal lover and has been a regular visitor to Knowsley Safari Park on Merseyside.
Sunday Mirror
NEWS OF THE WORLD: Harry Redknapp insists he has nothing to hide from the FA if he is made England boss. Also: Arsene Wenger claimed he was 'too disgusted' to talk after seeing Andrey Arshavin robbed of a crucial winner by referee Anthony Taylor's offside call... Wayne Rooney will line up at Anfield today with Liverpool convinced Sir Alex Ferguson's bully-boy tactics saved his star striker from a ban.
MAIL ON SUNDAY: Sir Alex Ferguson's belligerent attitude towards referees has been attacked by two of his greatest rivals, Kenny Dalglish and Rafa Benitez - and the most important man in world football, Sepp Blatter.
SUNDAY MIRROR: Cesc Fabregas and Gareth Bale will be back in Champions League action this week. Also: Steven Gerrard broke down in training yesterday with a recurrence of his groin injury... Steve Bruce saluted his Sunderland heroes who might just have wrecked Arsenal's title bid yesterday.
THE PEOPLE: Everton boss David Moyes is a shock target for wealthy German club Hoffenheim. Also: Arsene Wenger voiced his 'disgust' for referee Anthony Taylor after the rookie official failed to award Andrey Arshavin a penalty and a goal... Kenny Dalglish has stoked up today's clash against Manchester United by launching a veiled attack on Sir Alex Ferguson's ranting at referees.
DAILY STAR: Moneybags Man City are set to hijack Man United's planned summer swoop for Everton starlet Jack Rodwell and they could have to pay £30m for the Goodison midfielder. Also: Arsenal blew their chance to reduce Man United's Premier League lead to a point after being held 0-0 by Sunderland at The Emirates... Spurs have moved to fend off growing interest from Europe's top clubs by slapping a whopping £50million price tag on Croatia star Luka Modric.
SUNDAY EXPRESS: Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is poised for an unprecedented £100million-plus summer transfer buying campaign. Also: Roma are ready to step up their pursuit of Carlo Ancelotti after the Chelsea boss admitted he has a dream of managing the Serie A team...
THE TIMES: Jack Wilshere is a serious doubt for Arsenal's Champions league visit to Camp Nou on Tuesday after injuring his ankle in a 0-0 draw with Sunderland that left Arsene Wenger "disgusted" by refereeing decisions. Also: FIFA is paving the way for use of goal-line technology at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil...
SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Kenny Dalglish has reignited his feud with Sir Alex Ferguson by launching a thinly-veiled attack on the Manchester United manager's treatment of referees: Also: Harry Redknapp has vowed to clear his name in court and insists he does not have "any skeletons" in his closet that would prevent him taking the England job... After watching Arsenal fail to close the gap on league leaders Manchester United to only one point with a goalless home draw against Sunderland, Arsene Wenger said he was "disgusted" by the decisions of referee Anthony Taylor and his assistants in ruling a valid goal offside and failing to give a penalty.
INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY: Roman Abramovich is set to continue his spending spree this summer, with a move for Kaka the most high-profile and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba possibly offered to Real Madrid in part-exchange.
THE OBSERVER: Kenny Dalglish has prepared for the visit of Sir Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney to Anfield by accusing "the ones who shout loudest" of receiving preferential treatment from referees and undermining the Football Association's Respect campaign.
Manchester City want Jack Rodwell and Fabio Coentrao, Aston Villa are eyeing Keiren Westwood, while Spurs want £50million for Luka Modric.
News of the World
* Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina could be sold to Manchester United after the Spaniard refused to exempt the Premier League leaders from an exit clause in his contract.
* Liverpool midfielder Lucas is determined to earn a long-term contract at Anfield.
* Newcastle are ready to make a £12m bid for Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro.
* Everton and Liverpool will join the summer chase for Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard, 24, who is rated at £10m.
* Steve Kean is clinging to his job as Blackburn manager with the club's Indian owners intent on entering talks over ending his two-year contract following Rovers' 3-2 defeat at Fulham on Saturday.
People
* Everton boss David Moyes is a target for German Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim.
* Liverpool are making moves to take Real Madrid's £10m-rated Argentina midfielder Fernando Gago to Anfield.
* Hamburg have been alerted by Joey Barton's contract talks breaking down at Newcastle and could be ready to make a bid for the midfielder.
* Manchester City have stepped up their interest in 22-year-old Benfica full-back Fabio Coentrao, who has a £25m buy-out clause in his contract.
* QPR will make a move for Birmingham midfieler Lee Bowyer if they win promotion to the Premier League.
* Manchester United are sweating on the future of Paul Scholes, 36, who is yet to decide if he is to carry on playing.
* Aston Villa will attempt to hijack Coventry keeper Keiren Westwood's summer move to Newcastle.
Sunday Mirror
* Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has pledged his future to the Stamford Bridge club and promised fans he won't leave to manage Roma.
* Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson has told Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni that he has no intention of quitting Old Trafford.
Daily Star Sunday
* Manchester City are set to hijack neighbours United's swoop for Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell and are ready to pay £30m for him.
* Turkish side Galatasaray are set to make a £25m double summer swoop for Arsenal pair Nicklas Bendtner and Andrey Arshavin.
* Former Liverpool star Robbie Fowler could join Championship strugglers Preston.
* Spurs have slapped a £50m price tag on Croatian midfielder Luka Modric to fend off reported interest from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United.
* Arsenal are keeping tabs on Borussia Dortmund midfielder Kevin Grosskreutz.
* Chelsea winger Yuri Zhirkov is a target for German side Hamburg.
* Everton are one of the clubs to show an interest in PSV Eindhoven's Hungarian winger Balazs Dzsudzsak.
Sunday Express
* Sir Alex Ferguson is planning a £100m spending spree to rebuild Manchester United in the summer. Tottenham's Gareth Bale (£30m), Aston Villa's Ashley Young (£20m), Jordan Henderson of Sunderland (£15m), Everton's Jack Rodwell (£20m), Alex Oxdale-Chamberlain of Southampton (£10m) and Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg (£10m) are all on the shopping list.
* Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou could quit Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.
Mail On Sunday
* Turkish sides Besiktas and Galatasaray are to battle it out for Stoke defender Abdoulaye Faye in the summer.
* Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has urged Manchester United rival Sir Alex Ferguson to show respect to referees.
Sunday Mail
* Celtic chairman John Reid has pleaded with manager Neil Lennon to stay at the club and land the treble as a tribute to the late Jock Stein.
* Lennon has angrily denied hurling racist abuse at Rangers forward El Hadji Diouf during Wednesday's troubled Old Firm clash.
Kalou considering Chelsea exit after Torres arrival
Reina refuses to be drawn on United rumours
Gibson warns Trapattoni he'll never quit United
Arsenal wonderkid earns rave reviews in Holland
Ancelotti pledges his future to Chelsea
Liverpool line up Real Madrid midfielder
Redknapp's summer hit list includes Drogba
Hamburg alerted as Barton talks breakdown
United sweating on future of Scholes
Wigan line up second attempt for Rubens
City step up chase for Coentrao
Villa prepared to farm youngsters out on loan
Dorrans will leave if Baggies are relegated
Rangers offer Bowyer an escape route
Hammers interested in snaring Richardson
Fowler ready to return home with Preston
Manchester United are planning a £100m spending soree this summer with Spurs' Gareth Bale (£30m), Aston Villa's Ashley Young (£20m), Sunderland's Jordan Henderson (£15m), Jack Rodwell of Everton (£20m), Alex Oxdale-Chamberlain of Southampton (£10m) and Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg (£10m) all in their sights. (Sunday Express)
But Manchester City are set to hijack Man United’s planned summer swoop for Everton starlet Jack Rodwell and they could have to pay £30m for the Goodison midfielder. (Daily Star on Sunday)
Newcastle are set to use some of the Andy Carroll cash to make a £12m bid for FC Lorient's 23-year-old striker Kevin Gameiro . (News of the World)
Merseyside rivals Everton and Liverpool will battle it out this summer for Bristol City's 24-year-old striker Nicky Maynard . (News of the World)
Spurs have moved to fend off growing interest from Europe’s top clubs by slapping a whopping £50million price-tag on Croatian star Luka Modric . (Daily Star on Sunday)
Liverpool are preparing a bid for CSKA Moscow's Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda at the end of the season. (IMScouting.com)
Manchester United have made a €40 million bid for Palermo's 21-year-old Argentine playmaker Javier Pastore, according to Italian sources. (IMScouting.com)
Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea target Eden Hazard has signed a new contract with Lille, committing to the French side until 2015. (IMScouting.com)
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