Hammers miss out

Chelsea are reported to have signed Hammers target Daniel Sturridge.

The 19-year-old striker is out of contract at Manchester City this summer and had been linked with Aston Villa along with West Ham and Chelsea.

However Sky Sports report this afternoon that the West London club have won the race to sign the England under 21, who is currently on duty with Stuart Pearce's squad at the European Championships in Sweden.

Despite being a free agent following the culmination of his contract at Eastlands, Sturridge will cost his potential buyers around £4million in compensation due to the player being under the age of 24.

Manchester City are reported to be holding out for at least double that figure; the final fee will be decided by tribunal later this year.

The Citizens opted not to renew the teenager's contract due to what were considered to be unreasonable demands (with one source suggesting that Sturridge had requested upwards of £50,000 per week).

The Hammers are thought to have spoken with Sturridge - who scored four goals in 16 appearances for City last season - about a potential move, but the lure of sitting on Chelsea's bench clearly proved too much of a temptation.