West Ham will enter the summer spending frenzy with a
£13million offer for Andrew Johnson and the promise of
£90,000-a-week wages. The deal, which would more than double
Johnsons earnings at Everton, would be worth £4.7m a year. The
England striker is aware of the interest and although West Ham
expect Everton to rebuff their opening bid, the London club are
prepared to go as high as £18m, which could prove too good to turn
down.
West Ham are already set to complete a £7m deal for Newcastle
midfielder Scott Parker, who has agreed a £72,000-a-week contract.
Now Hammers chief Alan Curbishley, backed by Icelandic billionaire
Thor Bjorgolfsson, wants Johnson as the club target Champions
League football within the next three seasons.
Johnson, who scored 11 Premiership goals for Everton last season,
would become the highest paid player in Hammers history if their
bid is successful. Goodison Park manager David Moyes, who is
planning for a UEFA Cup campaign next season, is forced to work
with a limited budget and is struggling to raise the £6m required
to buy Phil Jagielka from relegated Sheffield United.
Curbishley, resigned to losing Carlos Tevez, will make Lucas Neill
captain next season with skipper Nigel Reo-Coker set for Aston
Villa after his outburst last week. There is also no future at the
club for Paul Konchesky, Matt Etherington and Hayden Mullins. The
Parker transfer, which is subject to a medical, clears the way for
Newcastle to tie up a £5.5m move for Manchester City midfielder
Joey Barton.
In a tribute to St James Park boss Sam Allardyce, Barton said last
night: "Hes a good manager, he showed that at Bolton. At Newcastle
the skys the limit. If the club decide to do business its up to
me to speak to them."
