Manager Avram Grant is desperately looking for reinforcements during the winter transfer window to save West Ham’s stuttering Premier League campaign. Although the Hammers’ boss does not have a huge transfer kitty, he is expected to use the proceedings generated by selling Carlton Cole to fund his purchases.
West Ham have set their sights on 30-year old Republic of Ireland forward Robbie Keane who is out of favour at Tottenham. West Ham will make a bid of £5 million for the striker; they will face stiff competition from Wolves and Aston Villa for his signature. West Ham are also targeting England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips from Manchester City. SWP has been frozen out at the City of Manchester Stadium and is expected to be among the host of players that leave Eastlands in January. Both Keane and SWP, are on wages of £65,000 a week and that could prove to be an impediment for the transfer to go through.
If West Ham fail to bag Keane, they will turn their attention towards Aston Villa forward John Carew. The tall striker has just six months left on his current contract and his relationship with new manager Gerrard Houllier is a bit sketchy. Grant is also keeping a keen eye on Real Madrid’s 19-year old midfielder Sergio Canales. Canales has not been able to break into the Real first team and Jose Mourinho is willing to let him go. West Ham, though, will face stiff opposition from Sporting Lisbon and Racing Santander for his signature.
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