EYEBROWS were raised when The Times revealed yesterday that Tottenham Hotspur had tried to bring back Teddy Sheringham on loan, but it was also a gauge of how the club have toiled to find a tall striker for the past year.
West Ham United rejected the approach and Alan Pardew said that he wants to offer Sheringham a new contract and a coaching role at Upton Park. “He has been fantastic for us. I am desperate to keep him,” the manager said. “Teddy has qualities that I don’t want to lose. We want him to stay next year and maybe extend his role a bit on to the coaching side.”
West Ham are not interested in Stephen Kelly, the Tottenham right back, and are unlikely to pursue their interest in Marcin Baszcyznski, the Wisla Krakow and Poland right back. Tottenham and Aston Villa have been watching Steven Naismith, the Kilmarnock forward.
Manchester City will have to increase their £3 million bid for Georgios Samaras after the Heerenveen striker failed in an appeal to the Dutch FA on the grounds that his club were pricing him out of a move.
Birmingham City are in talks about signing Martin Latka, the Slavia Prague defender who was on trial with Middlesbrough last week. Jacek Krzynowek, the midfield player, has turned down a move to Portsmouth to stay at Bayer Leverkusen. Everton and Blackburn Rovers are interested in Benni McCarthy, the FC Porto forward. Bolton Wanderers remain hopeful of signing Martin César, the Deportivo La Coruña and Spain defender.
Advertisement
Sheffield United have signed Ade Akinbiyi and Bruce Dyer, the forwards. Akinbiyi joined for £1.75 million from Burnley and Dyer has moved on a free transfer from Stoke City. Craig Davies, the Oxford United striker, is to join Verona a week after he turned down a move to the Italian club.