Both Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in signing
West Ham captain Nigel Reo-Coker before the transfer window shuts
on Friday.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is keen to acquire the 22-year-old, a
key figure in West Ham's return to the Premiership and run to last
season's FA Cup Final, to add some steel to his midfield. But the
Gunners may face competition from United, who are expected to turn
their attention to the England Under-21 captain if their attempts
to sign Owen Hargreaves, which have so far been rebuffed by Bayern
Munich, prove fruitless.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has already spent £18m acquiring
Michael Carrick from Spurs, but is still seeking to recruit a
defensive midfielder to help balance his team and Reo-Coker may
prove the disciplined, determined presence on the pitch he has been
lacking since Roy Keane's heyday.
Reo-Coker is understood to have a clause in his contract at Upton
Park stipulating that he can leave if any of the clubs finishing in
the top three places in the Premiership the previous season come in
for him. That would open the door to an approach from United, but
not Arsenal, who finished fourth in May.
Whether Arsenal make a move for Reo-Coker depends on them raising
funds by selling Ashley Cole to Chelsea, a saga that should see the
left-back finally switch to the champions this week.
It is understood that Reo-Coker would join either club. He is paid
about £15,000-a-week at West Ham, but would see that rise to
£40,000 if he went to Old Trafford or £45,000 at the Emirates
Stadium. In addition, Hammers manager Alan Pardew is thought to be
willing to let his skipper go - if the price is right - despite his
pivotal role in the team and popularity with West Ham fans.
