West Ham Fans Born to be Claret and Blue

Having agreed personal terms, Newcastle's captain Scott Parker will put pen to paper either this evening or tomorrow morning, his signing will be subject to a strenuous medical to confirm that the player's current hernia injury is not a long term issue. The original asking price was £8 Million with add ons but it seems that Hammers have negotiated a £7 Million fee but with a 20% stake in any future sell on should the player move to another club within three years. Not a bad bit of business for a full England International, and a player with plenty to prove. Having moved from Charlton to Chelsea for £10 Million, Parker found himself warming the bench and so accepted the chance to move to Newcastle in a £6.5 Million deal, he was quickly made captain but found it hard to settle up north and became the target of abuse of many Toon fans as they saw their season fall apart under the managership of the now sacked Glen Roeder. A tenacious player well known to Alan Curbishley who guided his career at Charlton, Parker is a little like Lee Bowyer in style but has pace and knows how to score goals, his arrival will cast doubt over Bowyer's future at the club, he may well join Alan Pardew at Charlton as they attempt to return to the top flight at the first time of asking. Hayden Mullins is another destined to make the short journey across town to the Valley as Curbs begins to wield the axe that will make space available in the squad for the impending new arrivals. We previously mentioned the interest Hammers have shown in Tim Cahill, and ironically the key to bringing him on board might lay with outgoing captain Nigel Reo-Coker, David Moyes has long been an admirer of NRC and might be tempted to do a player plus cash deal for his Aussie midfielder who would welcome the chance to join up with his Australian International team mate Lucas Neill. It is now quite obvious that none of the big four are really interested in signing NRC, especially with the players £9 Million valuation, it looks more than likely that only Villa, Everton and Newcastle represent serious suitors, food for thought for the man who "saved Hammers from relegation", try cupping your hand to your ear at your own supporters up north and see what happens Nigel. - Ed