Hammers continue Neill talks

Mon, 03 Aug 23:36:56 2009

West Ham are to continue talks this week with Lucas Neill in an attempt to keep him at Upton Park.

With the Hammers now back from their trip to the Far East, manager Gianfranco Zola will step up moves to finalise his squad ahead of the new campaign. Zola's former Chelsea team-mate Eidur Gudjohnsen has been linked with a switch to Upton Park, but the Hammers are also keen to obtain Neill's signature again.

The Australia international's contract expired at the end of last month and he did not fly to Beijing for the Barclays Asia Trophy as the 31-year-old considers his options, with Manchester City and Galatasaray reported possible other destinations.

West Ham also have Julien Faubert available following from a loan spell at Real Madrid, and the Frenchman has impressed when slotting into right-back.

Ghana international John Mensah has been attracting some interest from England, with the Hammers and Sunderland both said to be keen on the Lyon defender.

Zola's current players have enjoyed a productive pre-season, which included a training camp in Austria and will see them face Serie A side Napoli at Upton Park on Saturday.

Defender Danny Gabbidon is another back in the frame for the new campaign following a long injury lay-off. The defender scored in the 2-0 win over Beijing Guoan.

Gabbidon said on the club's official website, www.whufc.com: "It was hectic in Austria and China and there wasn't a lot of time to do anything but train and play - but you won't hear us complaining.

"It is nice for us to get back to see our families though and start thinking about the new season."

 

Comment 1 - 16 of 16

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  1. I've never really been a fan of Lucas. Plus, we­ have many players with great leadership qualities such­ as; Parker, Upson & Noble...

    I say...

    Let him go.

    From Jamie, on Sat 22 Aug 5:47PM

  2. why oh why are we dragging this saga out, if you­ intend on trying to resign this money grabbing f@@!!!­ then you are keeping back some of the other talent we­ have coming through who really want to play for us.

    From clare, on Mon 10 Aug 6:24PM

  3. When he come to west ham didn like him one bit tends­ not 2 stick close enough to opposing left sided player­ but as time went on i was quiet impressed doesn take­ any prisoners and really strong ther again dont want­ him back as his a money grabbing mother f.....

    From josespecialone, on Sat 8 Aug 10:49PM

  4. Let the money grabber go....2 a penny

    From KCUFTHEU, on Sat 8 Aug 11:23AM

  5. Neil is just being greedy now i think we should just­ let him go.

    From darrell, on Thu 6 Aug 4:40PM

  6. West Ham will struggle this Season.
    Squad not big­ enough.
    Good Manager but club needs money to invest on­ players.

    From peter, on Thu 6 Aug 11:26AM

  7. lets hope we get him (sunderland)

    From Sean A, on Thu 6 Aug 10:38AM

  8. genuine question for you hammer supporters, Is Lucas­ neil worth us putting money on the table?? or are his­ injuries going to plague him for the rest of his­ career???? genuine s/land supporter

    From MALCOLM D, on Wed 5 Aug 7:35PM

  9. why r we interested in moneybags lucas neil_when we­ have not pursued the intrest in kovac and only 3.0.­ liked the look of the lad last backend and scoring a­ screamer of a goal at upton park.
    ASHTON_would have­ left by now if zola had his way. yet a player who has­ suffered injury after injury and still believe he­ should be earning the same wk in wk out
    it should be­ performance related. players who dont play should only­ recieve basic pay,. simple as that football is in­ financial ruin. and its the supporters who suffer­ whilst these greedy players want huge salaries- walk­ around as they own the club.yet on a saturday afternoon­ they put in bad performances on regular basis

    From stephen, on Wed 5 Aug 3:41PM

  10. We have 4 strikers on our books at present
    Savio / 10­ million, seldom in the team ?
    Dean / will he ever play­ ?
    Zavon ?
    Carlton / requires massive support up front­ ?
    Sears is on loan to Palace / why ?
    We require to sign­ Neil, a fullback like a hole in the head ?
    I reiterate­ We need 2 of value
    Failing that i can envisage the­ usual poor season .
    give us something to shout about

    From royhill61, on Tue 4 Aug 12:25PM

  11. News from Yahoo who's hot, whose not.
    Dean Ashton,­ Hull City want Ashton, but his astronomical wage­ demands are proving a stumbling block.
    Is this a­ closely guarded secret is Dean Ashton surplus to­ requirements at West Ham?
    We are fans we buy shirts­ and tickets, we give our support, don't we deserve­ to know?

    From Ronsenglish, on Tue 4 Aug 9:08AM

  12. We will have less money in the championship / lets not­ kid ourselves
    We fell away at the end of the season /­ usual story
    We never compete at the crucial time
    get­ rid of the tinted glasses

    From royhill61, on Mon 3 Aug 8:29PM

  13. all well and said but have you got the money for it.

    From DANNY, on Mon 3 Aug 8:16PM

  14. all well and said but have you got the money for it.

    From DANNY, on Mon 3 Aug 8:12PM

  15. i totally agree with that well said

    From a.oddy1, on Mon 3 Aug 6:45PM

  16. If City wanted Neil, he would have gone by now / money­ talks
    I will repeat / 2 old 2 slow 2 expensive / get­ rid
    West Ham requires another 2 strikers of value
    With­ the existing strikers, with possible injuries we will­ struggle??
    I am aware that West Ham are building for­ the future
    Unfortunately a youth team will get us­ relegated
    We will nurture talent than sell them off
    Why­ not compete with the top so called 4
    The supporters­ deserves ambition.
    get off the fence and bust a gut

    From royhill61, on Mon 3 Aug 5:22PM
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