West Ham ready for new Paolo bid

13 April 2012

West Ham look certain to part with striker Paolo Di Canio should Manchester United revive their interest in the controversial Italian striker this week.

Speculation was mounting today that United, who need to bolster their striking department following the departure of Dwight Yorke to Blackburn, will ask West Ham if Di Canio is available.

And it seems clear that the Di Canio camp would welcome the move after the player's adviser Matteo Roggi said: "The people from Manchester United have got our number. It makes Paolo feel proud that Manchester United are looking at him. He would like it to happen. But if nothing happens he will still have a great season at West Ham."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has made no secret of his admiration of the 34-year-old Italian, who is in the last year of his contract at Upton Park, and was on the verge of making a £1 million bid for the Italian last season.

In the event Di Canio, who has said he wants to finish his playing career at Upton Park, stayed at West Ham but must realise now, with the emergence of England Under-21 star Jermain Defoe, he is no longer certain of a place in West Ham's starting line-up.

The volatile forward is unlikely to be content with a spot on the substitutes' bench, a situation which would probably provoke an early confrontation with Glenn Roeder.

The West Ham manager has already said that the 19-yearold Defoe, who was used sparingly last season, will now be picked on merit and the youngster is favourite to start alongside Frederic Kanoute in the opening Premiership game of the season at Newcastle.

Di Canio, who is West Ham's top earner at around £40,000 per week, would be an expensive luxury if he is not a first team regular.

Although Roeder has said he wants the Italian to stay, the financial reality is that his departure would release funds for West Ham's manager to further strengthen his squad after yesterday's signing of Republic of Ireland defender Gary Breen.

Following the departure of Yorke, United have only three front-line strikers - Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Diego Forlan - and will need another for the new season and it is believed they are ready to make a firm bid for Di Canio.

West Ham are making no statement other than to confirm that United have, as yet, made no approach but the Italian misses tonight's pre-season friendly match at Norwich with a foot injury.

New signing Breen also misses tonight's match and Roeder said: "Gary is a bit behind on pre-season fitness because he has been training on his own so we won't include him tonight."

Roeder, however, is delighted that he has signed the 28-year-old London-born defender and today admitted he talked to Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy before deciding to make a move.

"I spoke to Mick about Gary and he was extremely complimentary about him, both as a player and a person to have around in the dressing room," said Roeder today.

"Paul Goddard also spoke to Matt Holland, who he knows from their days together at Ipswich, and he reinforced that opinion.

"Gary, at 6ft 3ins, is the right size for a central defender and, like Tomas Repka and Christian Dailly, he has pace which is a valuable asset.

"I've also seen him play at rightback for Coventry and do very well.

"He was an 18-year-old at Gillingham when I was manager there and then he was a little young and carefree. Since then though he has matured and, at 28, he should be reaching his peak in the position in which he plays."

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