Hammers want £7m Ljungberg

zocoss SG

WEST HAM have made a dramatic £7million swoop for Arsenal reject Freddie Ljungberg.

The Hammers moved after learning the Gunners are ready to dump the Swedish star after eight years at the club. And Alan Curbishleys men, backed by Eggert Magnussons dosh, are happy to pay his £70,000- a-week wages to help save them from relegation.

West Hams move came as they feared missing out on Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, despite agreeing a £9.8m fee. Ljungberg, 29, was stunned after being told he was no longer wanted by Arsenal and still has two years left on his current deal.

Curbs has also made a move to bag the Gunners Cameroon full-back Lauren, 29, on loan.

used SG

thinking of buying ck boxers Embarassed

but he gets injured too often. 70k a week?? too much la

dragg SG

7 million for a 29 yr-old is also too much.

anhydrouscoppersulphate SG

when i knew pires was leaving.. i’d also knew he is going to leave too

mighty_megatron SG

£7mil? ROFL!!!

zocoss SG

ANGRY Freddie Ljungberg will demand a £4.5million pay off from Arsenal if the club sell him.

The Swedish midfielder, who could switch to north London rivals Spurs, is disgusted at the callous way he was told to leave Arsenal during the transfer window to help fund a £15m bid for France international Franck Ribery. Now Ljungberg is ready to demand that Arsenal pay the remaining 18 months of his £65,000-per-week contract if they want him out that badly.

A close friend explained: "Freddie did not see it coming at all. He knows he's not had a great season with injuries but he expected to be given time to recover. "Instead he was told that Arsenal have to sell in order to buy and that he is one of the players to go.

"From what they have said it's not about where he wants to go, but where he's told to go. He was told in no uncertain terms he should take any offer that is on the table, otherwise he will not play again."

Ljungberg was stunned to be told last week that he is surplus to requirements after more than seven years service to the club he joined in 1999.

West Ham are known to be interested in him but Ljungberg is more likely to favour a move across north London to bitter rivals Tottenham - if they are prepared to meet his wage demands. But with Arsenal having revealed their hand the Swede's price may go down, with a figure of £3m likely to secure his services.

felirox SG

This rumour and all are crap. Ljungy will stay. he’s a loyal man

mighty_megatron SG

It’s not about loyalty in this case. It’s been made clear that they don’t need him.

zocoss SG

He is loyal but Arsenal don't want or need him anymore... sad end for him after all that he has done for them...

It is not the first time that Arsenal have lost patience with one of their high-profile players. Just last season the Arsenal board called time on Sol Campbell after a series of dramas involving the £100,000-a-week star.

Now Ljungberg appears to be paying the penalty for a run of injuries that have restricted him to a total of 54 appearances and three goals in the last 18 months. The marauding midfielder originally signed for Arsenal in 1998 from Halmstads for just £3million and two years ago signed a new lucrative four year deal which made him one of club's highest-paid players on around £70,000 a week.

That was the 29 year old's reward after he became one of boss Arsene Wenger's key players, helping the Gunners win two Premiership titles, three FA Cups and three Charity Shields.

He also played in last season's epic 2-1 Champions League Final defeat against Barcelona. But long spells out injured have made his bumper pay packet-which is twice that of rising young star Cesc Fabregas-look even more expensive to the Gunners.

And now they have taken dramatic action. Our source added: "Freddie will be very sad to leave Arsenal but he'd like to stay in the Premiership and feels he still has plenty to offer an ambitious club."

Patrik SG

Arsenal always seem to sell all my fav players.
Or my fav players always seem to leave arsenal.
Laughing
Marc Overmars,Emmanuel Petit,Robert Pires,Sylvinho..

anhydrouscoppersulphate SG

Wenger still values Freddie
By Tom Adams - Created on 10 Jan 2007

Arsene Wenger insists that Freddie Ljungberg 'still has a lot to offer' Arsenal following reports linking the Swede with an exit from Emirates Stadium.

Speculation has surrounded Ljungberg's current situation since a report on Sunday that claimed The Gunners were ready to sell their longest serving player after a run of injuries that had restricted his contribution in North London.

Both West Ham and Internazionale had been suggested as likely destinations for the Swedish captain should his current employers decide to offload him.

However Wenger has now moved to underline that Ljungberg - who joined Arsenal from Halmstads back in 1998 - remains an important part of the furniture in North London.

"There has been much speculation about Freddie Ljungberg in the media over the last few days," Wenger told the club's official website.

"But given his dedication and contribution to the team's success since joining the club I feel it is important to state that Freddie is a valuable member of our squad.

"Although I can't predict the future, Freddie's experience and winner's attitude means he still has a lot to offer."

Inter have confirmed they are interested in bringing Ljungberg to Italy as a replacement for Luis Figo, but West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson has played down talk he is interested in the winger.

used SG

walcott will most likely take up his position