05-13-2008, 03:23 PM
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#20 (permalink)
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DEEZ NUTS
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Essex, England
Posts: 962
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Re: Official Rumours/Gossip/Transfers/Pre-Season Discussion Thread 08/09
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West Ham want to keep star striker Dean Ashton at the club, despite speculation linking him with a move away.
The Hammers have confirmed they will sit down with the striker and his representatives on Friday to try and tie him to a new long-term deal.
The news comes as Ashton, who has two years left on his current deal, has been linked with clubs such as Manchester Untied, Portsmouth and Newcastle.
But Hammers chief executive Scott Duxbury has spoken of the club's desire to keep him at Upton Park.
Appropriate time
He said: "The end of the season was the appropriate time to discuss such matters and to meet Dean Ashton and his representatives.
"We will sit down on Friday with a view to agreeing a new long-term contract to keep Dean Ashton at Upton Park."
Ashton is not among the club's high earners after signing from Norwich two years ago.
He missed last season after breaking an ankle on international duty when he was poised to earn a first cap.
But found the net on 11 occasions this season, including three in his last three matches.
This good form has earned him a call-up to the England squad and he could make his debut in the end-of-season friendlies against the USA or Trinidad and Tobago.
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Quote:
West Ham United are set to clinch a loan deal for Italian starlet Davide Lanzafame.
The 21-year-old striker is a product of Juventus' youth system and made his first-team debut for them last season.
But this term he was loaned out to Bari in Serie B where Juve legend Anontio Conte is coach.
And Lanzafame did not disappoint with ten goals which earned him a call-up to the Italian Under 21 squad.
Ronaldo comparison
Indeed Conte feels the player has all the ability in the world - even likening him to Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Lanzafame has improved tactically," he told the Gazzetta dello Sport.
"He is explosive, he sniffs the goal, and imposes his speed outside the area. If he improves and learns he can become like Cristiano Ronaldo."
West Ham are now set to agree terms with Juve for a season-long loan.
The deal is a clear indication of the influence of The Hammers' new sporting director Gianluca Nani.
The Italian was brought in to oversee transfer policy and he has wasted little time in sealing a deal for one of his country's brightest young prospects.
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Source: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...559105,00.html |
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