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Craig Bellamy offer's rejected
30.12.08
Tottenham may be forced to abandon their interest in Craig Bellamy after West Ham rejected a £12millon offer for the Wales striker.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp underlined his determination to sign Bellamy by doubling his original £6m bid, but the Hammers are determined to hang on to him.
Despite their financial problems, West Ham are desperate to keep their best players, with Bellamy and midfielder Scott Parker also targets for Manchester City.
Redknapp is keen to improve a forward line that has produced just one goal in Spurs' last four League games, and his chances of bringing Jermain Defoe back to White Hart Lane have been boosted by the news that the England striker wants to return.
Defoe, also valued at £12m, is virtually certain to leave Portsmouth next month, and has also attracted interest from Aston Villa.
Pompey signed him from Spurs one year ago in a £9m deal, although that fee is still to be paid in full, meaning the Fratton Park club would prefer to sell the 26-year-old to Villa.
But Defoe is understood to prefer to go back to Spurs, where he would again link up with Redknapp, who was manager at West Ham when Defoe progressed from the youth team to develop into one of the most dangerous strikers in the country.
Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas, meanwhile, is a reported target for Real Madrid, who are managed by ex-Spurs boss Juande Ramos, although Spurs would be reluctant to sell one of their key players.
Reader views (8)
The truth is that Bellamy is a class player and superior to any of the strikers on Spurs books. Redknapp knows that and hence the desperate 12m bid. But the Hammers do not need the money, regardless of media hype to the contrary, and why would they help Spurs out of the hole that they have dug for themselves?
Yes, Spurs do need class players, that is why they will more than likely be relegated come May. But, forget fantasies about Capel, Adriano, etc, they will not join clubs out of the Champions League and in danger of the drop from the PL. Spurs fans should get real and accept that their ain't going to break the top 4 and will probably be visiting the likes of Barnsley and Burnley next season! lol.
- Sj Chandos, London, UK
for starters adrian bellamy has scored 4 goals and he is just getting back to his best,he may moan abit but hes 1 of the fastest players in the prem,and he aint got a bad shoot on him aswell,spurs paid 16 million 4 bent and 14 million for that russia bloke so how is bellamy not worth 12 million hes better than both of them put together
- Mark, harlow essex
bellamy is not worth 6 million let alone 12,he is not exactly prolific and is known for his fair share of moaning and injuries...if Harry wants to spend 12 mill then surely getting Defoe back is the best move,3 years younger than Bellamy and knows the club and most of the players there already,and hardly ever is he injured..Arshavin is not worth anywhere near 20 million,he is 27,can not speak English,will be shattered as he is coming to the end of the season at Zenit,and has played well in 6 or so games in 2 years..and is not what you call a goalscorer...lets hope the signings are of quality and not of panic.
- Phil Evans, croxley
Oooh Jenas to Real Madrid, now there's a surprise, NOT !
- Paxton, N17
Why spend 12 million on Bellamy, when Defoe is younger and never hardly moans as much as Bellamy....
Jermaine, the perfect replacement...Jermaine, you should of stayed in the 1st place....
Harry, wave your magic wand... Distin, Elano, Defoe, Riquelme, Finnan...
We need quality players....
- Adrian, london
Bellamy can't be worth 6 million and scored 2 goals this season. I thought Harry said he won't buy players who are not better than what he has. Who is Bellamy better than?
I don't rate Bellamy, cost too much, winges alot and not worth a penny...Adriano on loan or Jermaine, as they have'nt paid in full on him...
Don't see much quality in premiership to improve us...Go and get Capel from seville on loan, Adriano from Inter, Distin, but we need players who are'nt cup tied..
- Adrian, london
why would we want to buy bellamy he spends most of the time out injured i say bring back jermaine
- Tony Paxton, london england
I stopped going to soccer matches when I realized I was driving a six year vauxhall, and players not even in the team I supported were driving past me in Porchse cars and lived in mansions. And that they were getting it from Idiots like me paying high entance fee,s no more I said. Now I have decent car not a mansion but nice house.
- Ebin Donk, Angus Scotland
