It’s Mae day for Hammers
WEST HAM hope to seal a deal for Japan striker Ryoichi Maeda.
The 30-year-old has twice won the J League Golden Boot and has hit 115 goals in 260 games for club Jubilo Iwata.
the mirror
West Ham's new Rhodes is rejected
West Ham have failed with yet another bid for Huddersfield hot-shot Jordan Rhodes.
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce went in with a number that was higher than previous offers for the striker, but lower than the League One club anticipated - and Terriers owner Dean Hoyle threw out the proposal.
The Championship promotion chasers are willing to pay a guaranteed £3million, after having previous staged-payment deals rejected.
Rhodes - the top scorer in the country with 25 goals after scoring FIVE against Wycombe last week - is interested in the move, but West Ham will have to raise their bid to convince Hoyle.
team talk
Sagbo linked with Hammers move
Reported West Ham target Yannick Sagbo says he would welcome a move to Upton Park to bolster the promotion-chasers' attack.
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has been linked with a £2million move for the 22-year-old Benin international striker, who currently plays for French side Evian.
And Sagbo told Sky Sports: "Joining West Ham would be ideal for me. I love the Premier League, even though West Ham are in the Championship, which is also a top league.
"I want to be part of a team who will make progress. But nothing is done yet, so I am happy where I am.
"But I would love the opportunity to play in England in my career."
talksport
Barcelona striker puts West Ham and Blackburn on alert
West Ham and Blackburn target Jonathan Soriano is ready to leave Barcelona after failing to agree a new contract.
The striker scored a stunning 32 goals in 37 appearances for Barcelona's B-team in Spain's second tier last season, and has carried on in a similar vein this term with four in nine.
But the 26-year-old has failed to agree terms on a new deal at the Nou Camp and could be about to leave the Catalan club.
"Right now Barcelona are not willing to offer me a contract renewal," Soriano said. "Guardiola has not given me any indication that it will happen, so I will not go to the first team. That being so, I'm ready to go play in another club."
That could prompt West Ham and Blackburn into action, though the two English clubs will face a fight for the forward's signature, most notably from Portuguese side Benfica.
He told Spanish newspapers Sport: "It is still early and nothing is set. There are several interested clubs, including Benfica."
guardian
Chelsea star Frank Lampard could return to West Ham United
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard could be willing to end his career back at West Ham United.
According to the Express, Lampard is prepared to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer and would consider returning to Upton Park if the Hammers win promotion this season.
The 33-year-old has been left out of the Chelsea team during a number of games this campaign and he has been linked with a move back to the club he left in 2001
New QPR manager Mark Hughes has made Chelsea striker Didier Drogba his number one transfer target.
Daily Star
Striker Mario Balotelli has dismissed reports he wants to quit Manchester City.
talkSPORT
Everton are believed to be looking at Egyptian striker Mohamed Nagy, who plays for Al Ahly in Cairo.
Liverpool Echo
Sochaux striker Modiba Maiga, whose proposed move to Newcastle fell through last month when he failed a medical, is now hoping to join Stoke.
Daily Mirror
Liverpool are understood to be interested in Inter Milan striker Luc Castaignos - a transfer target for Merseyside rivals Everton -on a loan deal.
Daily Mail
Out-of-favour Tottenham defender Sebastien Bassong has reiterated he could leave the club after growing increasingly frustrated by his lack of playing time.
Sky Sports
Newcastle say they have not received any bids for striker Demba Ba.
Newcastle Chronicle
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti says the club are "serious" about signing wantaway Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez.
London Evening Standard
Qatar outfit Al-Sadd have pulled out of a deal for QPR striker Adel Taarabt, after baulking at his £15m price tag.
: Metro
Stoke's proposed £1.5m signing of VVV Venlo striker Michael Uchebo is in danger of collapse over work permit issues.
Daily Mail
Manchester United are believed to be targeting Celtic's 22-year-old midfielder Ki Sung-Yeung in a bid to ease their midfield crisis.
Footybunker
Fulham have joined the clubs watching Jamie Vardy, non-League Fleetwood's £1m-rated striker.
Daily Mirror
Aston Villa midfielder Ciaran Clark insists he has never contemplated going out on loan to boost his hopes of playing for the Republic of Ireland at the Euro 2012 Championship.
Birmingham Mail
Blackburn manager Steve Kean's agent has questioned the motives behind the protests at Rovers and has suggested the fans involved are not "true supporters".
Lancashire Telegraph
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp already has a plan to stop Thierry Henry - by re-signing Glenn Hoddle and Ossie Ardiles.
the Sun
Former Manchester United striker Eric Cantona will not be in the running to become the president of France.
London Evening Standard
Paul Ince is set for a return to management this week - with League Two side Bristol Rovers.
Daily Mirror
Sir Richard Branson has ruled out bidding to rename Newcastle's ground St James' Park after his takeover of Northern Rock.
Newcastle Chronicle
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has achieved a personal goal - snaps of himself with two football legends.
the Sun
David Beckham's son Romeo may have broken his daddy's heart after seemingly deciding to support Manchester United's Premier League rivals Arsenal
babe of the day
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