Nigel Reo-Coker is fending off interest from Tottenham to
hold out for the possibility of a move to Arsenal or Manchester
United. West Ham want about £9m for their captain, who submitted a
transfer request after feeling he was not part of Alan Curbishley's
long-term plans.
It is understood that Tottenham have signalled their interest but
the 23-year-old appears to have set his sights on moving to a club
in the Champions League. Reo-Coker's adviser, Tony Finnigan,
yesterday confirmed that the midfielder would be leaving West Ham
this season after just over three years at the club. "He is going
and there is a lot of interest," he said.
Any disappointment at White Hart Lane over his apparent preference
for Arsenal will be tempered by news that Robbie Keane has agreed a
new five-year contract. The Irishman's long-term commitment to
Spurs will inevitably provoke fresh speculation about the future of
Jermain Defoe but Martin Jol is to reassure the England striker
that he remains integral to his plans. Tottenham played 59 games
while competing on four fronts over the past season and Defoe,
Keane and Dimitar Berbatov scored 68 goals between them in club and
international football.
Jol believes that he has the best trio of strikers in the
Premiership and regards them as vital to his hopes of breaking into
the top four next season after two consecutive fifth-place
finishes. With Mido likely to leave after last week being quoted as
describing his move to Tottenham as a "big mistake", Jol also will
be in the market for another striker, probably Charlton's Darren
Bent. Charlton are under no financial pressure to sell but
Tottenham have asked to be kept informed of any developments
regarding Bent.
Tottenham completed their first major signing of the summer last
week with the £10m acquisition of Gareth Bale and they are also
understood to be interested in the Portuguese winger Nani.
