friday's gossip 1st january includes west ham

An archive of Cockney Hammer's West Ham-related daily news digests from 2009-2015. For the latest daily digests, see the General Discussion Forum.

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friday's gossip 1st january includes west ham

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Chelsea are set to smash the British transfer record with a £40m swoop for Valencia striker David Villa.
Full story: Daily Express

Manchester City are plotting a January swoop for Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Inter Milan defender Maicon.
Full story: Daily Mirror

City boss Roberto Mancini is close to making Inter Milan defender Ivan Cordoba his first signing at Eastlands.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez will embark on a spending spree now the transfer window is open, with Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and Tottenham forward Roman Pavlyuchenko his two top targets.
Daily Mail


Liverpool could move for Olympiakos right-back Vasilis Torosidis as a replacement for their injured defender Glen Johnson.
Daily Mirror

Benitez wants to take Argentina winger Maxi Rodriguez on loan from Atletico Madrid, while out-of-favour Reds forward Ryan Babel is set to reject moves to Fiorentina and Besiktas.
Daily Mail

The Times

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has made a £3.5m swoop for Fluminese's Brazilian wonder-kid Wellington Silva, who impressed on a recent trial at the Emirates, but he will not be able to join the Gunners until he turns 18 in January 2011.
Daily Mirror

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who has signed 19 players in the last five January transfer windows, says the mid-season transfer window is "a nightmare" and claims the chances of him bringing anybody to Spurs this month are "very, very, very, very slim". Image
The Guardian

Birmingham have failed in their bid to sign on-loan Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart on a permanent basis and also look likely to miss out on Rangers striker Kris Boyd.
The Sun

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish does not plan to spend all of the £40m he has been given to enhance his squad during the transfer window, and hopes to sign two or three players with "character" rather than make any marquee signings.
Daily Telegraph

Sunderland are ready to make a £4m bid for Tottenham's Scotland right-back Alan Hutton and are still on the trail of Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa and Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson.
Daily Mail

The Black Cats also want Coventry goalkeeper Kieran Westwood.
Daily Mirror

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is exploring the possibility of signing Roma striker Stefano Okaka on loan.
Daily Mail

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is considering making a £2.5m bid for Stoke striker James Beattie but hopes to keep hold of Emile Heskey despite interest in the England striker from Liverpool, Fulham, Wigan and Chelsea.
Daily Mail

Leeds have rejected Newcastle's £1.25m bid for Jermaine Beckford and hope to keep the striker at Elland Road for the rest of the season.
: Daily Mirror

The Magpies will move for QPR's Iceland forward Heidar Helguson, who is currently on loan at Watford, after having their bid for Beckford turned down.
Daily Mail

Or, Newcastle will secure the signing of Beckford - as soon as Leeds find a replacement.
The Sun

Manchester City are the latest club to show an interest in teenage Crystal Palace star Victor Moses but will refuse to meet the Eagles' £5m asking price.
Daily Star

Peterborough have been told to double their £400,000 offer for in-form Bournemouth striker Brett Pitman.
The Sun



Bolton are yet to make a formal approach to Stoke for their assistant boss Peter Reid, who is the leading candidate to succeed Gary Megson as Wanderers manager, and are also considering the possibility of employing Alan Shearer and Gary Speed as manager and assistant.
The Guardian

Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock and former West Ham boss Alan Curbishley are on Bolton's shortlist to become their next manager, with Wanderers set to move for their first choice as Megson's replacement - Burnley boss Owen Coyle - early next week.
Daily Mail

Curbishley will be interviewed for the Bolton job on Tuesday, although Wanderers have not ruled out a move for former Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson.
Daily Telegraph

Coyle, former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes and Hull City manager Phil Brown have all ruled themselves out of the running to be Bolton's new boss.
The Sun

The future ownership of West Ham United could be decided next week after the Hammers' owners asked Rothschild Bank to sift through potential investors who either want to buy the club out-right or take a stake.
Daily Telegraph


Former Oldham, Crystal Palace and Coventry City boss Iain Dowie is set to be named Reading's new manager.
The Sun

Lens want Portsmouth to be shut down if they do not honour their debts, with Pompey still owing the French club fees for Aruna Dindane and Nadir Belhadj.
Daily Mail

Dundee United are set to open talks with Raith boss John McGlynn about taking over from new Scotland manager Craig Levein in the Tannadice hot-seat.
Daily Record


West Ham have sent out an email begging their fans to attend their third-round FA Cup tie against Arsenal after struggling to sell tickets for Sunday's game.



Arsenal have agreed a £3.5m move for Brazilian ace Wellington Silva, while Liverpool want to sign Maxi Rodriguez on loan from Atletico Madrid.

DAILY MAIL:

Portsmouth failed to pay their players on time again yesterday just as French club Lens called for them to be shut down if they do not honour their debts.

Arsenal are understood to have agreed a £3.5million move for Brazilian youngster Wellington Silva.

Manchester City have rejected Birmingham's bid to sign Joe Hart.

Liverpool want to sign Maxi Rodriguez on loan from Atletico Madrid.

Sunderland are ready to make a £4million bid for Tottenham right-back Alan Hutton. They also want to sign Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson and Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa.

Middlesbrough will sign Celtic duo Gary Caldwell and Barry Robson in a joint £1.5million deal and also hope to swoop for striker Scott McDonald.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has confirmed his interest in Roma striker Stefano Okaka.

Newcastle are considering a move for Heidar Helguson after having a £1.25million bid for Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford rejected.

Wigan midfielder Olivier Kapo could be set for a loan move to French side Boulogne.

Cardiff want to complete loan deals for Wigan's Ben Watson and Blackburn's Steven Reid.

DAILY EXPRESS:

Chelsea are ready to spend £40million to sign Valencia striker David Villa and they will pay him more than £10million a year.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is hoping to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Maxi Rodriguez on loan.

Stoke will not stand in Peter Reid's way if he wants to become the new Bolton boss.

DAILY MIRROR:

Lens have called for FIFA and UEFA to step in and put Portsmouth out of business for failing to pay their debts.

Roberto Mancini wants Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Inter Milan defender Maicon to join Manchester City.

Former Bolton defender Ivan Campo claims the club should have sacked Gary Megson sooner - and wants Gary Speed to replace him.

Birmingham intend to sign Joe Hart on loan again next season.

Liverpool could move for Greece right-back Vasilis Torosidis as a replacement for Glen Johnson.

Wigan are hoping to swoop for Chile defender Waldo Ponce.

Coventry boss Chris Coleman faces a losing battle in his bid to keep striker Leon Bent and goalkeeper Kieran Westwood.

Celtic and Rangers are both tracking Swansea midfielder Ashley Richards.

THE SUN:

Alex Song has warned Arsenal's title rivals: Nobody can beat us.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp wants to visit British troops on the front line in Afghanistan.

Bayern Munich insist they have not agreed a deal to sell Franck Ribery to Real Madrid.

Cardiff have admitted Joe Ledley wants to leave.

Iain Dowie is set to become Reading's new manager.

DAILY STAR:

Manchester City have warned Crystal Palace that they won't be held to ransom over Victor Moses.

DAILY RECORD:

Dundee United are set to open talks with John McGlynn about becoming their new manager.


Arsenal


BUDGET: £50 million. Arsenal generated a profit of £35 million last year and will make that available to Arsène Wenger, as well as the funds from selling Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor.

SHOPPING LIST: Marouane Chamakh, Edin Dzeko or Carlton Cole. A striker is the priority following injuries to Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner. Wenger will also consider his midfield options.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: May have to wait until the summer for Chamakh, meaning a short-term replacement is likely for van Persie. Ruud van Nistelrooy is a possibility.

TAXI FOR: Philippe Senderos and Mikaël Silvestre are both frustrated by their lack of opportunities, while Fran Merida continues to stall on a new contract.

BEST BUY OF 2009: Andrei Arshavin (£16 million). A Wenger purchase for the here and now, whose star quality has instantly improved the team.

WORST BUY OF 2009: None.

Read Arsenal Transfer Talk in full

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Aston Villa

BUDGET: Not much, according to manager Martin O’Neill. Less than £10 million.

SHOPPING LIST: O’Neill is ostensibly satisfied with his squad, but there is speculation he will go for West Ham midfielder Scott Parker. A striker would also be appreciated, with Sunderland’s Kenwyne Jones a possibility.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: They will face competition for Jones, but Parker would be more straightforward. One imagines, though, that O’Neill would not be too upset if they did not do any business.

TAXI FOR: Craig Gardner.

BEST BUY OF 2009: Richard Dunne (£5 million). Deadline-day signing who has helped transform Villa’s defence into one of the best in the division.

WORST BUY OF 2009: Did not perform well on his arrival and is now third choice behind Carlos Cuéllar and Luke Young.

Read Aston Villa Transfer Talk in full

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Birmingham City

BUDGET: £40 million has been made available, but Alex McLeish will spend nothing like that.

SHOPPING LIST: The priority is a striker, with Schalke forward Kevin Kuranyi a possibility. Sporting Gijón midfielder Michel is a £2.5 million target, and a permanent deal for Joe Hart would be nice.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: Schalke are denying any approach for Kuranyi, but it is likely that McLeish will land Michel. Sadly they won’t get Hart for good.

TAXI FOR: Kevin Phillips.

BEST BUY OF 2009: Lee Bowyer (free). Pips Roger Johnson on price. The midfielder has been inspirational since his summer arrival from West Ham, with six goals to his name.

WORST BUY OF 2009: Giovanny Espinoza (£6 million). Harsh, but McLeish has made some cracking signings. This defender has played just twice.

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Blackburn Rovers

BUDGET: Sam Allardyce works best on a shoestring, and his practice is likely to come in useful, with less than £3 million available.

SHOPPING LIST: Allardyce’s main target is likely to be securing a return to Ewood Park for the Stoke striker James Beattie, likely to be allowed to quit the Britannia after falling out with Tony Pulis.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: Beattie should arrive, possibly in a player-plus-cash deal in exchange for the out-of-favour Jason Roberts, to boost Blackburn’s striking options.

TAXI FOR: Jason Roberts.

BEST BUY OF 2009: Steven Nzonzi (£1.5 million). Tall, athletic and not short on skill, the French midfielder looks at home in the Premier League.

WORST BUY OF 2009: Nikola Kalinic (£6 million). The most expensive signing of the year at Ewood Park and, this far, the most disappointing.

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Bolton Wanderers

BUDGET: Gary Megson’s successor is unlikely to arrive expecting a major kitty, but £3-5 million will be made available, plus sales.

SHOPPING LIST: Megson had been linked with a move for Guti, the Real Madrid midfielder, but that unlikely deal now seems destined for the scrap-heap. His heir will need to strengthen all over the pitch.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: First and foremost, a new manager. The midfield is probably the area most urgently requiring attention.

TAXI FOR: Johan Elmander, Joey O’Brien, Ricardo Vaz Te, Danny Shittu.

BEST BUY OF 2009: Ivan Klasnic on loan. Arriving unheralded from Nantes, Klasnic possesses the firepower which may take Bolton to safety.

WORST BUY OF 2009: Ariza Makukula (loan). Brought in to boost Bolton’s attack but failed to make the grade as a Premier League striker.

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Burnley

BUDGET: Owen Coyle will have to make the most of meagre resources, with no more than £5 million to spend.

SHOPPING LIST: A temporary move for Jack Wilshere, Arsenal’s teenage midfielder, is on the cards and Coyle will be keen to make David Nugent’s loan from Portsmouth a permanent switch. Yazid Mansouri, of Lorient, is also a target.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: Nugent on a permanent basis, Wilshere until the end of the season, experienced defensive cover and, if they are lucky, a new goalkeeper.

TAXI FOR: Coyle cannot afford to lose any players.

BEST BUY OF 2009: Steven Fletcher (£3 million). The former Hibernian striker has made the jump to the Premier League with ease.

WORST BUY OF 2009: Brian Easton (£350,000). Still awaiting his league debut following summer move from Hamilton.

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Chelsea

BUDGET: Potentially beyond £50 million.

SHOPPING LIST: Sergio Aguero, Franck Ribery, Jack Rodwell and Angel di Maria. Carlo Ancelotti has pledged to streak if Chelsea make new signings, but the threat of a future transfer ban makes some activity likely.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: Aguero is the most likely to arrive in a potential British-record deal if a compromise can be agreed over his wage demands.

TAXI FOR: Unlikely to be any departures as Chelsea prepare for a possible transfer ban after January until the summer of 2011.

BEST BUY OF 2009: Daniel Sturridge. The fee will be confirmed by a tribunal, but is unlikely to be more than £5 million for one of England’s best young strikers.

WORST BUY OF 2009: Yuri Zhrikov (£18 million). Has started only one Premier League game and already looks a rather expensive understudy to Ashley Cole.

Read Chelsea Transfer Talk in full

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Everton

BUDGET: As ever with Everton, tight, and certainly no more than £2-3 million. Manager David Moyes is likely to be restricted to loans and bargain buys.

SHOPPING LIST: Moyes has already secured Landon Donovan, the American forward, on loan for the remainder of the season, while he is also thought to be considering a move for Maxime Lestienne, the Belgian winger.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: With Donovan due to arrive this week, Moyes will look to bring in another forward and a player capable of covering several defensive positions.

TAXI FOR: James Vaughan and Jose Baxter (loans only).

BEST BUY OF 2009: Sylvain Distin (£5 million). Drafted in to replace Joleon Lescott, the Frenchman has slotted in seamlessly alongside Joseph Yobo.

WORST BUY OF 2009: o (loan). The Brazilian has flattered to deceive in his year at Goodison.

Read Everton Transfer Talk in full

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Fulham

BUDGET: £10 million.

SHOPPING LIST: Paul Scharner, Stefano Okaka Chuka, Anton Ferdinand, Robert Lewandowski. The funds will be limited, but Roy Hodgson can be expected to continue his gradual strengthening as Fulham again aim for Europe.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: A striker is the priority and Lewandowski, who is the top scorer in the Polish league, looks a realistic target.

TAXI FOR: Fredrik Stoor and Seol Ki Hyeon have made only a limited impact and could be headed for the exit.

BEST BUY OF 2009: Damien Duff (£2.5 million). Had something to prove after the debacle at Newcastle and has brought added quality to the Fulham squad.

WORST BUY OF 2009: Julian Gray (£200,000). Brought in during February following a loan spell and was gone again during the summer after making just one substitute’s appearance

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Hull City

BUDGET: They'll have to sell to buy so Phil Brown will have to do some smooth talking to persuade fringe players to make way for new recruits when they have made it clear they will not be forced out by paymasters.

SHOPPING LIST: The spirit is clearly there but they need reinforcements and they need them in attack and defence quickly to avert relegation. Benjani, Caceido, Fraizer Campbell, Sol Campbell could be targeted.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: Due to financial difficulties there is little chance of permanent signings but loan and short-term deals should be struck (Benjani, Caceido, Sol Campbell, Daryl Murphy).

TAXI FOR: Peter Halmosi, Steven Mouyokolo, Bryan Hughes.

BEST BUY OF 2009: Jimmy Bullard (£5 million). The club-record signing is an inspirational presence - it is just a pity his influence has been limited by injury.

WORST BUY OF 2009: Paul McShane (£2.5 million). Sunderland couldn't believe their luck when they sold the player.

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Liverpool

BUDGET: Rafael Benitez will only be able to spend what he raises through sales.

SHOPPING LIST: Benitez needs reliable, experienced attacking back-up, though wages may price him out of a move for Ruud van Nistelrooy. Glen Johnson’s injury may mean cover at right back, while a right winger would be next in line.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: Reliable attacking back-up, though Emile Heskey, the former Liverpool striker at Aston Villa, is more likely than van Nistelrooy.

TAXI FOR: Philipp Degen, Andriy Voronin, Andrea Dossena, Ryan Babel.

BEST BUY OF 2009: Glen Johnson (£18 million) Britain’s costliest right back has settled in well, though his competition as best signing is not strong.

WORST BUY OF 2009: Alberto Aquilani (£17 million). Regardless of his ability or performances, injuries meant the Italian was absent when desperately needed.

Read Liverpool Transfer Talk in full

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Manchester City

BUDGET: Roberto Mancini will, presumably, be handed whatever figure he requires to secure City a Champions League slot.

SHOPPING LIST: Name a defender who plays, or has played, in Italy, and the chances are they’ll be seen as potential targets. Maicon, Ivan Cordoba and Giorgio Chiellini are the most likely, while further forward, a move for David Suazo has been mooted.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: Whatever they want. A centre-back and a pair of full-backs are almost certain to arrive, and possibly a forward or two.

TAXI FOR: Javier Garrido, Benjani, Joe Hart, possibly Robinho

BEST BUY OF 2009: Craig Bellamy (£10 million) The Welsh striker pips Shay Given to the title of Mark Hughes’s greatest legacy to his former club.

WORST BUY OF 2009: Joleon Lescott (£24 million). The former Everton player has laboured under his inflated price tag from his first game at Eastlands.

Read Manchester City Transfer Talk in full

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Manchester United

BUDGET: Sir Alex Ferguson rarely splashes the cash in January and that pattern is not expected to change despite £50 million of the Cristiano Ronaldo windfall still unspent.

SHOPPING LIST: Mame Biram Diouf will finally join from Molde, though he is unlikely to be considered for first-team action immediately, and despite links to players like Simon Kjaer and Angel di Maria, no major arrivals are expected.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: Almost certainly nobody beyond Diouf, though Ferguson may choose to bolster his squad with one or two young hopefuls, as he did last year.

TAXI FOR: Zoran Tosic, Nani.

BEST BUY OF 2009: Antonio Valencia (£16 million). The Ecuadorian has already scored almost as many goals at Old Trafford as he did in his entire Wigan career.

WORST BUY OF 2009: Zoran Tosic (£5 million). Much was expected of the Serb winger, but he has made no impact in his year at Old Trafford.

Read Manchester United Transfer Talk in full

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Portsmouth

BUDGET: £0. Portsmouth must generate funds in January through player sales.

SHOPPING LIST: Avram Grant says he knows what is needed to survive but there is no sign of the Premier League lifting Portsmouth’s transfer embargo. His main targets are a striker and a right-sided midfielder.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: The best hope is a few players on loan, but the priority now is to avert the threat of liquidation and have the transfer ban lifted.

TAXI FOR: Younes Kaboul, David James, Aruna Dindane, Hassan Belhadj, Kevin-Prince Boateng and anyone else who can bring in some money.

BEST BUY OF 2009: Michael Brown (£300,000). A veteran of relegation scraps with Fulham, Wigan and Sheffield United and has brought some added steel to the Portsmouth squad.

WORST BUY OF 2009: Aaron Mokoena (£300,000). The Portsmouth supporters were even encouraging referee Alan Wiley to send him off against Arsenal.

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Stoke City

BUDGET: Depends if they can offload Dave Kitson. Won’t be much over £10 million.

SHOPPING LIST: Given that Stoke have failed to score in five of their last six matches, there are no prizes for guessing what Tony Pulis is looking for. Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones and West Ham midfielder Scott Parker are targets.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: Probably not Jones — as Liverpool, Manchester United and possibly Aston Villa are reportedly both interested in the striker.

TAXI FOR: Kitson, Richard Cresswell, Andrew Davies, Tom Soares.

BEST BUY OF 2009: Robert Huth (£5 million). A solid performer, even if he does pick up cautions for fun.

WORST BUY OF 2009: James Beattie (£3.5 million). Good last season, but has scored just two goals in 18 league appearances this term, and had a fight with his manager.

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Sunderland

BUDGET: Steve Bruce will have £10 million at his disposal but is determined not to be held to ransom by selling clubs.

SHOPPING LIST: Bruce is keen to shore up a defence that has undermined Darren Bent's efforts to propel the club into the upper reaches of the Premier League. Will look to Maynor Figueroa, Alan Hutton, Charles N'Zogbia and Habib Beye.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: It's difficult to see Wigan letting Figueroa and N'Zogbia leave, but Tottenham may be interested in a swap deal involving Anton Ferdinand or the erratic Kenwyne Jones.

TAXI FOR: David Healy, Russell Anderson, Ferdinand, Jones, Kieran Richardson, Steed Malbranque, Daryl Murphy.

BEST BUY OF 2009: Darren Bent (£10 million). The World Cup finals are now beckoning for a striker rejuvenated following his demoralising spell at Tottenham under Harry Redknapp.

WORST BUY OF 2009: Fraizer Campbell (£3.5 million). The former Manchester United striker must regret not joining Hull because he has failed to make an impression at Sunderland.

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Tottenham Hotspur

BUDGET: £5 million. Having spent heavily in 2009, Harry Redknapp must largely generate funds through player sales.

SHOPPING LIST: Further defensive reinforcement is clearly the priority, as well as another goalkeeper. Anton Ferdinand is an option while Sandro, the Brazilian defensive midfielder, is understood to be another potential target. Harry Redknapp would also like to recruit David James from Portsmouth.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: Redknapp has predicted a quiet January, but he is still likely to tinker with his squad. A deal for Anton Ferdinand looks feasible but Daniel Levy is unlikely to sanction the signing of James.

TAXI FOR: Roman Pavlyuchenko, David Bentley, Alan Hutton and Giovanni Dos Santos would all be available if there are willing buyers.

BEST BUY OF 2009: Sebastien Bassong (£8 million). Jermain Defoe has been in outstanding form since his return to White Hart Lane, but Bassong looks the shrewdest piece of business.

WORST BUY OF 2009: Robbie Keane (£12 million). Questionable value at such a high price. Since scoring four times in September against Burnley, has only contributed one further league goal.

Read Tottenham Hotspur Transfer Talk in full

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West Ham United

BUDGET: £0. Likely to have to sell before they can buy, but this could change if a takeover goes through.

SHOPPING LIST: Gianfranco Zola would still like to improve his attacking options, particularly following the injury to Carlton Cole. Marouane Chamakh has been of interest, as well as Wolfsburg defender Ricardo Costa.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: Much depends on the club’s ownership situation. If no deal is completed, Zola will probably have to make do with loan signings and the money he can generate from any sales.

TAXI FOR: Matthew Upson is keen to move on and would interest Manchester City - it is thought he would cost around £12 million.

BEST BUY OF 2009: Alessandro Diamanti (£5.5 million). Important goals in consecutive matches against Chelsea, Portsmouth and Bolton suggest Diamanti could be the key to West Ham’s survival hopes.

WORST BUY OF 2009: Savio Nsereko (£5 million). Arrived in January and was gone again by August without scoring in 11 matches.


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Wigan Athletic

BUDGET: Roberto Martinez is relieved he will not be forced to cut his side’s wage bill, but has little scope beyond loans to strengthen his squad.

SHOPPING LIST: Erik Huseklepp, the Norwegian forward at Zenit St Petersburg, would fill a variety of forward roles, but midfield and defensive cover is needed, too, if Wigan are to shed their inconsistency.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: Vladimir Stojkovic, the goalkeeper, should arrive on loan from Sporting Lisbon, while Hull will provide competition for Huseklepp’s signature.

TAXI FOR: Maynor Figueroa, Jason Koumas, Ben Watson.

BEST BUY OF 2009: Charles N’Zogbia (£6 million). Escaped Newcastle at just the right time and has gone from strength to strength since moving west.

WORST BUY OF 2009: Ben Watson (£2 million). Now on loan at QPR, Watson failed to make an impression at the DW Stadium.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers

BUDGET: Funds will be tight. Think around £5 million.

SHOPPING LIST: Mick McCarthy is keeping his cards close to his chest, although his chief executive Jez Moxey hopes to “do some business”. Aston Villa’s Craig Gardner is their main target.

WHAT THEY'LL GET: Gardner shouldn’t be too hard to prise away for the right price — around £3 million — while Derby County winger Kris Commons could be available for under £2 million.

TAXI FOR: Greg Halford.

BEST BUY OF 2009: Kevin Doyle (£6.5 million) A classy, try-hard striker who is the club’s top scorer with five goals.

WORST BUY OF 2009: Stefan Maierhofer (£2 million). The big man hasn’t been given the opportunity to impress yet. Not his fault.



Today's Rumours, the first of 2010, won't lie to you. Yet. We had an interesting journey to the show this morning, passing the time by trying to guess which of our fellow London Underground passengers were on their way home from a New Year's Eve spent roistering and which were going to work. The dishevelled looking young lady in the leather jacket, high heels and gold lamé miniskirt who bore a striking resemblance to The Joker because her incessant weeping was smudging her mascara and causing it to run down each cheek in thick black rivulets? Work. She was probably off to fit a kitchen somewhere in Hounslow and was depressed at having to work on a bank holiday. The similarly dressed young lady who'd thrown a consoling arm around a shoulder and kept saying: "Don't worry Jems, he's not worf it, innit?" Probably her assistant.

The posh young man in the low-slung denim jeans and over-sized baseball cap who took three stops to roll a cigarette then had to ask his mate to lick the gum on the Rizla because he was so off his head he had no spit left? Work. The comparatively elderly gentleman who fixed the posh young man with a disapproving glare and growled "don't even think about it" when he inserted the roll-up between his parched lips and went rummaging in his jacket pocket for his cigarette lighter? Actually, that was us. Civic-minded to the last.
Florence Welch Florence Welch performs a cover of the David Villa staple (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea at the Rumour Mill's Hootenanny Photograph: Andre Csillag/Rex Features

Anyway, it's time for some music on this morning's January Transfer Window Hootenanny, so feel free to look at that picture of Florence Welch from Florence And The Machine, imagine her singing one of those trademark upbeat numbers in which she fantasises about burying an axe in her lover's head, then disposing of his body in a shallow grave prepared in a forest clearing by grave-diggers dressed as clowns.

Now, some long-overdue transfer speculation. Manchester City will do little to appease detractors who consider their wad-waving approach to problem-solving to be vulgar by splashing out as much as it takes to bring Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Internazionale defenders Ivan Cordoba and Maicon to Eastlands this month. Titter if you will - we don't make this guff up, we just help disseminate it after other people have.

Alex McLeish is having similarly murderous thoughts to Florence after failing in his attempt to make Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart as permanent a fixture at St Andrews as the obligatory drunk comedian at one of Jools Holland's Hootenanny extravaganzas (this year the honour fell to Al Murray, who took up the baton passed on by Lenny Henry last year and lurched with it before falling over). The form English goalkeeper of the moment will remain on loan at Birmingham City but City have no plans to sell him.
Sir Paul McCartney Not tonight, Sir Paul. You're not on the list Photograph: Richard Young/Rex Features

Burnley manager Owen Coyle and recently-departed Manchester City boss Mark Hughes have both ruled themselves out of the running for the vacant manager's position at Bolton Wanderers. Hull City manager Phil Brown has too, as have today's Rumours, the actress who plays Bianca on EastEnders and Peaches Geldof. "It's flattering when people have such an opinion of you but my only focus is on the FA Cup tie at MK Dons on Saturday," said Peaches. Interestingly, not a single one of Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock, former Charlton boss Alan Curbishley or Son of Ferg Darren Ferguson have ruled themselves out of the running to take over at the Reebok and all are rumoured to be on the Trotters' shortlist entitled "Folk What Might Get Us Out Of The Relegation Zone And Into Mid-Table Safety".

On Wearside, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has logged on to eBay, typed the words "Alan Hutton" into the search engine and is ready to match the £4m reserve price on the Tottenham full-back that's up for auction. Once that's done, he'll set about securing the spidery scrawls of Wigan Athletic's Honduran defender Maynor Figueroa and Middlesbrough's Sunderland-born winger Adam Johnson.
Boy George Boy George sings for his supper at the Rumour Mill's Hootenanny Photograph: Andre Csillag/Rex Features

If Liverpool manager Rafa Benítez doesn't want to take Atlético Madrid midfielder Maxi Rodriguez on loan, then the hat being worn by the next musical turn on the Rumour Mill January Transfer Window Hootenanny, Boy George, isn't green. It's well documented that Benítez will have to offload some of the expensive deadwood on his books before he can replace them with other expensive deadwood, so he's unlikely to be pleased with the news that Ryan Babel is expected to turn his nose up at the prospect of a move to Fiorentina. Once Benítez does get his hands on some lolly, the Daily Mail reckons he'll attempt to bring Ruud van Nistelrooy or Roman Pavlyuchenko to Anfield.

That small, excitable and bespectacled man you can see attempting to swing a grappling hook over the wall of the Brtiannia Stadium is Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill, who is throwing Stoke City Christmas party organiser James Beattie a life-line. Stoke City bean-counters have valued the striker at £2.5m, which they would put towards their Let's Sign Kenwyne Jones From Sunderland fund.

Oh ... and before we forget, Chelsea will sign Valencia striker David Villa for £40m. Actually no, Chelsea will not sign David Villa for £40m.



THE SUN: Alex Song last night warned Arsenal's title rivals: Nobody can beat us. Also: Harry Redknapp wants to visit British troops on the front line in Afghanistan.

DAILY MIRROR: Angry Lens last night called on FIFA and UEFA to step in and put Portsmouth out of business for failing to pay their debts. Also: Roberto Mancini wants striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and right-back Maicon to join his Manchester City revolution.

DAILY MAIL: Portsmouth failed to pay their players on time again yesterday just as the French club Lens called for them to be shut down if they do not honour their debts. Also: Such is the loss of standing of the FA Cup that West Ham have been forced to send out a begging email to their fans to attend their third round glamour tie against Arsenal at Upton Park on Sunday.

DAILY STAR: Sir Alex Ferguson has set his sights on a unique clean sweep of the four major trophies. Also: Sam Allardyce last night told FA bosses: Get off your backsides because you're wrecking the England team.

DAILY EXPRESS: Chelsea are ready to kick-off the transfer window in spectacular style by splashing out £40million on David Villa and paying him more than £10million a year. Also: Rafa Benitez is planning to bolster his quest for a top-four finish by bringing Argentina midfielder Maxi Rodriguez to Liverpool.

THE TIMES: England's preparations for the World Cup finals have been given a huge boost with Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, signalling yesterday that Rio Ferdinand is over the worst of his injury problems. Also: Portsmouth failed to pay their players' wages yesterday, the third time this season that payment has been late.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: The financial crisis at Portsmouth was brought into sharp focus last night when, for the third time in four months, the club failed to pay all of their staff and players on time: Also: Sam Allardyce has accused the Football Association of leaving the England national team with a bleak future by failing to produce enough talent from these shores.

THE GUARDIAN: Peter Reid has emerged as the leading candidate for the managerial vacancy at Bolton Wanderers.

THE INDEPENDENT: Carlo Ancelotti yesterday insisted that Chelsea's troubles were over after a difficult period at the end of 2009, arguing instead that their rivals had missed a priceless opportunity to overhaul them. Also: John O'Shea will miss the next two months of the season after making a slower than expected recovery from a thigh injury.Image[/img]
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Re: friday's gossip 1st january includes west ham

Post by Johnny Byrne's Boots »

Thank you very much sir, and a happy new year to you.
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Post by Dougles Badder »

Cheers CH .Happy new year mate. :raver:
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Post by Puff Daddy »

Who is this Ricardo Costatoomuch ?
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Post by cockney hammer »

Puff Daddy wrote:Who is this Ricardo Costatoomuch ?


Image

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricardo_Co ... tballer%29" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Post by Cookedskunk »

Cheers CH, a very happy new year to you :thup:
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Post by dapablo »

Thank you CH, appreciated as always, HNY to you and yours.
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Re: friday's gossip 1st january includes west ham

Post by Pez. »

Thanks CH have a happy New Year Fella... :thup:
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Post by Kialos »

Thanks CH, all the best for 2010 :thup:
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Re: friday's gossip 1st january includes west ham

Post by hammerjohn »

Thanks Ch and a very happy New Year mate...
but this guy is Ugly, and as we all know Ugly players are useless...
see Nigel Quashies Wiki for further details.



Image

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricardo_Co ... tballer%29" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;[/quote]


The only exception being Carlos Tevez
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Post by Gerblatz »

Many Thanks CH; Happy New Year fella :crest:
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Post by cockney hammer »

I want to emulate Steven Gerrard: West Ham's Jack Collison on FA Cup mission



Jack Collison dreams of emulating Steven Gerrard's FA Cup final heroics and inspiring West Ham to go one step further than the Upton Park class of 2006.

The Welsh international was an academy player when Alan Pardew's Hammers tackled Liverpool in a cup final classic at the Millennium Stadium.

Collison and James Tomkins sat together in the stands awe-struck as West Ham went 2-0 up and then reclaimed a 3-2 lead before Gerrard's wonder strike forced the game into extra-time and penalties.
Jack Collison



And the 21-year-old will draw on those memories this Sunday when West Ham attempt to take their first step on the road to Wembley against Arsenal.

'We were a bit young but Alan Pardew took me and James Tomkins along to travel with the team and stay at the team hotel. We got the chance to see what it was like,' Collison recalled.

'It was a real good day and a great game, just unfortunate that Steven Gerrard scored that unbelievable goal.
Steven Gerrard

'It was an experience I will never forget and I want to do that for myself - hopefully this time I will be playing. Every young footballer dreams of winning the FA Cup.'

The tie may have historical significance, coming 30 years after West Ham beat Arsenal 1-0 in the 1980 FA Cup final, but it is not quite the sympathetic draw manager Gianfranco Zola would have liked given the injury crisis at Upton Park.
Aaron Ramsey

The Hammers are hamstrung, with Danny Gabbidon, Mark Noble, Scott Parker and Herita Ilunga all struggling with the same injury, while Carlton Cole is out with knee trouble and Guillermo Franca is suspended.

West Ham go into the game on the back of only one win in six games, but Zola said: 'What is most important is we maintain the spirit we have shown recently, that will be the key more than anything else.'

Collison is likely to come up against fellow Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who is beginning to make waves at the Emirates Stadium following his move from Cardiff. Both players boast huge potential and are examples to all managers with vast international scouting networks just what quality lies on their doorstep.

'Aaron is a real class act. I got a chance to play with him for the Wales Under-21s when we had a real good run in the European Championship qualifiers, so I am not surprised at all how well he has done. He is so good on the ball and works so hard,' said Collison.

'I am sure that, at a club like Arsenal and under a manager like Arsene Wenger, he is going to really keep improving and over the next few years you will see great things from him.

'It is hard to get your opportunity but you have to keep working hard and take the chance when it comes.

'I have done my best to do that and am enjoying my football, just trying to improve for West Ham as best as I can.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... z0bNfrDlJp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Post by cockney hammer »

Injuries are unavoidable in football. As the modern game becomes even faster and tighter, with less and less time on the ball and space on the pitch, the demands on the body become greater and greater. Every player, at some point, will need to deal with an injury. And while some are luckier, only made to endure niggling muscle strains or painful knocks, others face multiple injuries, one after another, forcing long stretches out of the game, requiring massive doses of mental strength and discipline. USA and West Ham United man Jonathan Spector recently spoke with FIFA.com about his personal experience with big injuries and long, agonising stretches on the sidelines.

Spector, 23, was in fine fettle when the Americans shocked the world to reach the final of the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa last June, but national team fans could have been forgiven for thinking the brawny, blond-haired back was a new member of Bob Bradley’s squad. Missing out on all of 2006 and most of 2008, Spector – once a shining young star for the future – was forced to deal with a seemingly endless succession of cruel injuries that kept him out of action for the majority of the last three seasons for both club and country.
I went through some tough times, but I never felt sorry for myself. I think now I am a stronger player, and a stronger person.
Jonathan Spector on his injury woes

“It’s not easy as a player to be forced out with an injury and have to watch what’s going on around you and not be a part of it,” Spector told FIFA.com, after doing his impressive best in the FIFA Confederations Cup win against world number-one Spain in the semi-final in South Africa. “When you’re injured you are kind of on your own and you have to keep yourself strong. You need to keep focused on the hard and not particularly fun job of getting yourself back to fitness. What’s most important, though, is that you don’t lose track of your goals, what you need to do once you get back on the field.”

Spector, who broke out with the USA junior set-up in 2003 and played alongside Freddy Adu at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Finland, was so highly touted as a teenager that Sir Alex Ferguson was moved to bring the young man – a native of Chicago’s blustery suburbs - to Manchester United when he was only 17. After becoming the youngest American player to debut in the English Premier League in 2004, insidious injuries began to strike. In addition to a succession of hip injuries, he suffered a shoulder dislocation that knocked him out of contention for what was sure to be a starting spot in the US side at the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006™. Bone spurs caused him to miss 2008’s Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing and a troubling string of concussions had him out of action more recently. As his time on the treatment table increased, Spector’s minutes for the US national team steadily decreased. Starring in the CONCACAF Gold Cup triumph of 2007, Spector missed all of 2008 and had to fight his way back for the Stars and Stripes in 2009 – a task he was well up to.

Keeping focus
“Sometimes an injury leads to another injury; you can’t let yourself get down about it,” said the brave and versatile defender, described by captain Carlos Bocanegra as a “critical piece” of the USA’s defensive unit. Unable to show his true worth to Ferguson in Manchester, Spector was loaned out to Charlton Athletic for the 2005/2006 season – where he secured regular first-team action - and was eventually sold to West Ham United, where he continued to struggle initially with injuries at the start of the 2006/2007 campaign. After making only eight appearances for Manchester United, Spector is now beginning to earn more regular playing minutes under West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola.

“I think I’ve turned the corner now,” added the player, mature beyond his tender years. “I went through some tough times, but I never felt sorry for myself. I think now I am a stronger player, and a stronger person. All I am thinking about doing now is getting out on the field and re-establishing myself for my club and for my national team.” US coach Bradley is keen to see Spector back on his active team sheet, too. "He's a player who hasn't had the best luck with staying healthy," Bradley acknowledged. "But when he's been with us, he's shown he has some important qualities."

Spector, who can play centre-back as well as out wide on the right, figured in the USA’s remaining South Africa 2010 qualifiers after the conclusion of the Confederations Cup. And with Bradley having selection issues ahead of this June and July’s FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Spector – should he manage to stay fit – will likely figure as a starter in the side. “It wasn’t always easy and I had a lot of help from the people around me, but I never lost my desire to get back,” said the player, with 23 caps already to his name. “Now the only thing I want to do is to play, to help my teammates.”
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Re: friday's gossip 1st january includes west ham

Post by cockney hammer »

the mirror

Man City line up moves for Borussia Dortmund and West Ham centre-backs



Neven-Subotic-Borussia-Dortmund-Manchester-City-target cropped

Big spending Manchester City have made a move to shore up their defence with Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic.

City boss Roberto Mancini wants two new centre halves in January to as Kolo Toure is away on African Nations Cup duty and Joleon Lescott is out for more than a month after knee surgery.

The City hierarchy have targeted 21-year-old Serbian stopper Subotic even though Dortmund have insisted he is not for sale in January, despite interest from City, Juventus and Real Madrid.

Subotic signed a new long-term contract with Dortmund last summer but City’s wealth mean they may be able to test the German club’s resolve.

They also fancy West Ham’s Matt Upson but Tottenham are favourites to land the England defender ahead of City as Spurs boss Harry Redknapp prepares to wheel and deal in January.

Tottenham are also interested in City’s England defender Micah Richards but he may not be allowed to leave Eastlands with the club already facing a defensive injury crisis.

City are also considering a move for former England defender Sol Campbell who is a free agent after quitting Notts County.

But the chances of City signing 35-year-old Campbell depend on other deals and whether they can get the likes of Subotic and Upson.

Struggling Hull are desperate to sign Campbell while Newcastle have struggled to put together a package to lure him to St James’s Park.
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Re: friday's gossip 1st january includes west ham

Post by cockney hammer »

vital football

West Ham - Air Asia Connection?

And so we move into 2010, 2009 has seen its last page in the history books turned over and still we`re no nearer knowing our takeover fate.

David Sullivan and David Gold sit poised ready to enter into our illustrious history but, apparently, only if a deal can be sorted out quickly, with many a tabloid implying January 7th could be the deadline. If a deal with Gold and Sullivan cannot be worked out then the fear is they`ll focus on another club, possibly Charlton Athletic!

However, behind the scenes lurks a potential investor with a solid West Ham background!

The Malaysian businessman, Tony Fernandes, the founder and chief executive of Air Asia, has previously made enquiries about taking a controlling interest in West Ham.

We`re led to believe that some time ago, Fernandes, according to the Daily Telegraph, was close to agreeing a deal with Andrew Bernhardt.

On Boxing Day, it`s being reported that Fernandes attended the victory over Portsmouth and was introduced to Gianfranco Zola and his backroom staff. Rumours are also rife that Fernandes will be attending our next Premier League match, against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

So it begs the question, is Tony Fernandes once again about to try and take a controlling interest in West Ham United Football Club?
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Re: friday's gossip 1st january includes west ham

Post by Rocket »

Cheers CH, and Happy New Year to you and everyone else on KUMB.

I disagree with the suggestion that Diamanti was our signing of 2009. I really like Diamanti, but I would say Franco has to be the best bit of business we have done for a long time, seeing as he was a free transfer.
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Re: friday's gossip 1st january includes west ham

Post by SamtheHammer92 »

Rocket wrote:Cheers CH, and Happy New Year to you and everyone else on KUMB.

I disagree with the suggestion that Diamanti was our signing of 2009. I really like Diamanti, but I would say Franco has to be the best bit of business we have done for a long time, seeing as he was a free transfer.
Certainly better than our free transfer Tristan last season.
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Post by cockney hammer »

Hammers rule out swap deal


West Ham sporting director Gianluca Nani claims the club have no plans to swap Valon Behrami for Rubinho.

The Hammers have been strongly linked with the Palermo keeper over recent weeks, despite numerous denials of interest from within the club.

The speculation continues to rumble on now that the January transfer window has opened for business, with the story now involving a possible trade.

Latest reports suggest West Ham could be willing to offer versatile Swiss midfielder Behrami in exchange for Brazilian shot-stopper Rubinho.

However, Nani claims there is no such plan in place, with Gianfranco Zola making it clear that Behrami remains an integral part of his plans at Upton Park.

"What makes people think we could swap Behrami for Rubinho?" he told mediterraneoonline.it.

"Behrami is absolutely non-transferable, not for any price, no-one has any idea what price we would value him at anyway.

"The possibility of an exchange with Rubinho does not exist at all.
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Post by cockney hammer »

Zab set for Nurnberg trial
Reported West Ham and Sunderland target set for Nurnberg trial



Reported West Ham and Sunderland target Radoslav Zabavnik is set to go on trial with FC Nurnberg.

The Slovakian international, who can play in defence or as a defensive midfielder, is available on a free transfer after his two-year contract with Russian club Terek Groznyj expired in December.

His agent Juraj Venglos has confirmed the Premier League interest but revealed the 29-year-old is set to join Nurnberg on a week-long training camp in Belek, Turkey, on Saturday where the German side will be preparing for the second part of the Bundesliga season.

Venglos told Slovakian daily Sport: "On top of that (the Premier League interest) though, there is also interest from other sides, for instance from some Bundesliga outfits.

"At this moment, nothing is as far as that we would be preparing to sign a contract.
Ice broken

"The ice will be broken probably at the beginning of the New Year. I am expecting that more about Rado's future should be revealed within the first week of January."

Nurnberg sports director Martin Bader says the club have heard good reports about the player, who has 40 international appearances under his belt.

He told the club's official website: "We want to learn more about him and see him in action as we have had a lot of good reference on him.

"He is a versatile defensive player and in the national team he has been playing both as left-back and right-back."
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Re: friday's gossip 1st january includes west ham

Post by Memorial Ground »

It's funny how Nani is always the one talking about Behrami. I'm not suggesting anything, it just always seems to be the case.
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