Irons nab 'Swiss Beckham' Behrami prompting Neill's move to Man City

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Lucas Neill moved a step closer to joining Manchester City last night after West Ham agreed a deal with Lazio right-back Valon Behrami.

The 23-year old Switzerland defender flew into London for a medical after activating a FIFA rule that will allow him to become a West Ham player for a fraction of Lazio’s original asking price.

West Ham will sign Behrami for less than a third of his initial £11m valuation after he informed Lazio he was invoking article 17, which gives players nearing the end of their contracts the right to move on without costing a fee.

Neill: Leaving the Boleyn Ground

The Swiss David Beckham: Behrami

Lazio will be entitled to compensation and are seeking over £3m, but West Ham are hoping to settle on around £1.5m for a versatile defender who started all three of Switzerland’s Euro 2008 matches.

Kosovo-born Behrami, whose Italian model girlfriend Elena Bonzanni should add some glamour to Upton Park, chose West Ham ahead of Palermo and Werder Bremen.

His arrival casts further uncertainty over Neill’s West Ham future.

Sportsmail revealed that City manager Mark Hughes was keen to revive their Blackburn partnership, and a move looks even likelier after the Australia defender was left in little doubt he would be competing for the right-back spot if he remained at Upton Park.

With just 12 months left on his contract, he seems sure to opt for a fresh start at Eastlands.