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Tottenham's early bid for Scott Parker is just the opening gambit in a high-stakes game which will surely test West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan's resolve in the coming weeks.
Spurs's offer, which may actually have been less than the £7million originally thought, has been dismissed out of hand by Sullivan. He nailed his colours firmly to the mast when he said that, of all his senior squad, midfielder Parker was the only one definitely not for sale.
As a statement of intent, they don't come much more unequivocal but that hasn't stopped Spurs chairman Daniel Levy from testing the water.
Sullivan's immediate riposte was strident. “I made a promise that I would not sell Scott,” he said. “And I will not, for any amount of money, break that promise to the West Ham supporters. Scott is not for sale, at any price, to anyone.”
The West Ham co-owner has been around long enough in football, though, to know that is unlikely to be the end of the matter. The next stage in this tried-and-tested transfer formula is for the player to declare his unrest and although Parker has yet to do that publicly, there have been unsubstantiated noises to that effect today.
Parker, it is said, wants to sample the thrill of Champions League football again before he retires and realistically, that is unlikely to happen at Upton Park in the forseeable future.
The former Charlton, Chelsea and Newcastle player is also said to be unhappy that he alone was ring-fenced by Sullivan at the end of last season, discouraging any possible suitors.
Sullivan, who has kept all his promises so far, including reducing the £100m debt but still strengthening the Hammers squad, seems determined, however, to maintain that record at any price when it comes to Parker.
And it is the club co-owner's belief in Karma which could make it even tougher for Levy, as he tries to tempt Parker away from east London.
Last season Eidur Gudjohnsen had promised his former Chelsea team-mate Gianfranco Zola, then West Ham manager, that he would join the club on loan from Barcelona before, at the last minute, going to Tottenham.
“I believe in Karma,” said Sullivan, who has never forgotten the Gudjohnsen situation and so is even less likely to play ball with Spurs over anything, least of all Parker. What may be more ominous for West Ham, though, is that if other clubs are circling around their combative midfield star, particularly Aston Villa and Liverpool, should Javier Mascherano go to Inter Milan.
Spurs's bid, even for a 29-year-old with little sell-on value, was derisory but should Liverpool, for example, decide to join the bidders with an offer of £12m-plus, then that would be more of a test of Sullivan's determination to keep his iconic player.
You can certainly understand Parker's popularity, given his form in a struggling West Ham side over the last couple of seasons. There were times, as Zola's team tried desperately to clamber clear of relegation last term, when Parker seemed to stand alone between the opposition and defeat.
Billy Bonds, a West Ham great and someone who knows a thing or two about defending, believes Parker is the best tackler in the English game while the Hammers fans who have voted him their player of the year for the last two seasons, would be distraught if he leaves.
That won't happen, says Sullivan, with conviction backed by a new deal on the table for his best player but still the rumours persist.
There is something about West Ham and Parker, though, which suit each other. The way the former England player runs around the Upton Park pitch evokes images of Bonds himself, or Julian Dicks.
West Ham manager Avram Grant, who yesterday appointed former Yugoslavia international Zeljko Petrovic as assistant manager, believes Parker will stay. “We are trying to build something special and Scott Parker is very important to that ambition,” he said after watching the midfielder play in the 2-0 pre-season win over the MK Dons last night.
Parker may yet need some further convincing but certainly Sullivan seems not for turning. If the player's head has indeed been turned by Spurs, then Sullivan may still need all his persuasive powers if he is going to keep his latest unshakable promise to supporters.
Reader views (16)
Isnt Sullivan a pious man? Such honour in EPL footy is difficult to believe. Karma is a Hindu concept isnt it? - so I am touched by his pan-religious approach to West Hams team building. Maybe he could bring in Christian forgiveness, Islamic wisdom and finally Buddhist silence! Less Pagan lunacy pls Mr Sullivan.
- COYS Switz, Switzerland, 30/07/2010 09:53
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Like John smitten said - who made the bid public? that will be david sullivan. So what are his motives?!
- North London, Berkshire, 30/07/2010 08:51
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The reports that Parker is unsettled has come from who?.His agent,who has a vested interest in the player moving on.Redknapp was a spiv at West Ham and has got worse since.
- colin, barking essex, 29/07/2010 17:23
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How come Sullivan announced the Spurs bid to the media? if he wanted a quiet life then all he had to do was fax Spurs with a short sharp NO THANKYOU.
He seems to crave the press coverage of himself and has poor west ham linked with everyone this summer in order to sell season tickets.
How a man that treated Zola the way he did can even consider taking the moral highground is beyond belief, he hasn't even had the manners to pay Zola off after they terminated his contract.
- John smitten, London, 29/07/2010 14:36
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abit like how they worded redknapps quote to make out he said we could win the league, the fact is he never said that if people watch the interview
- North London, Berkshire, 29/07/2010 13:38
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That's the thing Paul...there are no new quotes. Not one. As I said lower down the board, the karma reference was made immediately after Gudjohnsen went back on his word and signed for you - it isn't new. Putting the headline in quotation marks is a very, very misleading piece of editing. If you read the piece again you'll see how it's been written to give the wrong impression.
Tut tut Ken. You should know better.
- East, London, 29/07/2010 13:24
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It's no wonder managers constantly say English players are overpriced when you get laughable comments like £7M for Scott Parker is "derisory"
In fact, £7M is far too high for him.
- John Smith, London, 29/07/2010 13:23
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As an Arsenal fan, I truly hope Tootenham sign him & Upson while they are at it! Looking good in a side that narrowly missed out on relegation is hardly a glowing indictment of his ability. At present Tootenham have far better midfielders in Modric, Huddlestone, Jenas (yes I know Tootenham fans dont rate him), Kranjcar, Lennon & Palacios (not my cup of tea) as well as decent youngsters such as Townsend & Livermore coming through. With Parker hitting 30 in October, his days at the top level, where very few midfield players at the top clubs play much past 30 in the Premiership, are numbered. In any effect he will have a low sell on fee by the time Tootenham have finished with him, taking into account his likely wages, it makes him an expensive acquisition for a player who will basically be a squad player.
- Rob Gooner, North Lodnon, 29/07/2010 13:17
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Sorry - I dont seem to find anything in this story that is any different from yesterday. Did WH owners need to comment further?
Maybe if he keeps quiet now the whole story will blow over quickly, if he keeps talking he is keeping a potential 'Parker move' in the headlines??
I dont see how the gudjonsson saga is the same as this though.
He was available to take on loan - both clubs spoke to him as were allowed and he came to us.
In this case its a player contracted to his club who we have bid for and have been turned down and told not to come back. We should move on and consider strengthening other areas of the team.
If we continue with what looks like a dead duck now, we cannot moan if someone comes in any tries to tap up Modric or Bale at some point - or like Benitez did with Keane.
Live by sword die by the sword in my book!
- Paul, Enfield, 29/07/2010 13:03
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good point kevin. We have palacios and sandro to come in. I think maybe we might go back to west ham and offer o'hara seeing as grant had him at pompey
- North London, Berkshire, 29/07/2010 12:53
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This is a total non-story. It just re-hashes yesterdays comments from Sullivan, throws in his "Karma" comment from the end of last season and dresses it up as something that's happened today. It just gives little children like NL another excuse to talk rubbish.
How does that quote go - never argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
- East, London, 29/07/2010 12:49
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When David Sullivan takes the moral high ground, satire is indeed dead. And buried.
- gaz, london, 29/07/2010 12:43
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Most Spurs fans don't know what all the fuss is about. If he arrives, well and good. If not, no big deal. As North L says, 'where's the crime'.
I think O'Sullivan privatly wants to get rid of him and has made this public to 'hide the fact' when Parker demands a move, as pre-arranged with O'Sullivan and that other bloke.
- Kevin, N London, 29/07/2010 12:35
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Do you know the rhyming slang that includes the word "Berkshire", North London?
- Stu, Homeless, 29/07/2010 12:34
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Funniest thing you've posted so far, North London!
You're telling SOMEONE ELSE to grow up!!!
Absolutely brilliant...! I'm in fits...
- Stu, Homeless, 29/07/2010 12:32
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grow up sullivan. Tottenham came in for gudjonsson at the last minute and he took up the option of playing for a club going for the top 4 and who were still in the fa cup rather than a relegation battle at west ham. Who can blame him? most players would do the same
He was quick enough to get rid of zola when he had a chance and, as someone posted yesterday, west ham have tried all summer to unsettle gramham dorrens at west brom! double standards indeed
- North London, Berkshire, 29/07/2010 12:26
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