Dean Ashton hopes to stay at West Ham but has revealed
he is growing concerned over his future due to the lack of dialogue
from the club. Manchester United are rumoured to be ready to test
the Hammers' resolve to keep Ashton by tabling an £8million bid for
the England prospect this summer.
Portsmouth and Newcastle are also reported to be interested in
the 24-year-old, who returned this season after a year out spent
recovering from a broken ankle. Hammers boss Alan Curbishley is
meeting with the board today to review the season and discuss plans
for the transfer window.
Curbishley is determined to keep Ashton and after yesterday's
2-2 draw with Aston Villa denied that he is under pressure to slash
the wage bill. But a big offer could tempt the board to sell and
Ashton is seeking reassurances over his future with two years left
on his contract.
"As far as I know I'll be at West Ham. The only worry is that
the club haven't spoken to me yet so I don't know where I stand,"
he said. "Obviously I'd like to speak to the club about my future.
I'd just like to know where my future lies. "Obviously I had to
prove myself after spending so long out injured and I feel I've
done that now. West Ham is the team I play for. I want to talk to
the club because I've really enjoyed myself here and that's all I'm
really thinking about."
Ashton was complimented by Sir Alex Ferguson after scoring in
the 4-1 rout at Old Trafford on May 3, but has taken little notice
of his words. "A lot has been written about me but the thing I'm
most worried about is what West Ham think of me," he said. "I
suppose it (Ferguson's praise) is flattering but you don't really
read a lot into what goes into the papers."
It is understood that West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury has
had preliminary discussions with Ashton's representatives about an
improved deal but nothing could be decided until the player himself
had proved his fitness. Owner and chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson
was expected, at today's meeting, to confirm that Curbishley must
trim his squad and reduce the wage bill.