West Ham are closing in on Darren Bent but chairman
Eggert Magnusson is furious at claims the club are responsible for
a players' wage boom.
The Hammers held meetings with Bent and his representatives on
Thursday after agreeing a fee with Charlton and it is understood he
will undergo a medical on Friday.
The signing of the 23-year-old England international would once
again underline Magnusson's ambitions for the club - but he insists
some reports about wages being offered by the Hammers are
untrue.
He also believes the new Premier League television deal is causing
clubs across the top flight to offer higher salaries.
Magnusson said: "We are making progress in our plans to strengthen
the squad over the summer period.
"We are hopeful of making an exciting announcement soon and Alan
Curbishley and the board will continue to work to get the right
balance in the team for next season.
"I know we are moving in the right direction as a club and I also
know the fans share our ambitions for the future."
Magnusson has previously dismissed reports about defender Lucas
Neill's salary but has now been concerned at claims of the wages
being offered to Bent.
He added: "On a personal level I am, at times, frustrated by some
of the stories which appear in the media suggesting certain salary
levels for our players - many of which are simply factually
wrong.
"It is not right to comment on every story or to use confidential
information in public but I can say the truth is often different to
the reports."
According to reports, a fee of £16million plus midfielder Hayden
Mullins has been agreed after Charlton originally asked for
£18million plus Mullins and striker Marlon Harewood.
Tottenham have also been pursuing Bent so West Ham's capture of the
striker would be a major coup.
Magnusson said: "The bottom line is that this is an ambitious club
with a very sound financial base and, as new owners, we are
determined to move forward.
"As we do that, we can expect criticism from others but the most
important thing is delivering the true potential of this great
club."