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Hammers snub unsettled Bent
Ken Dyer, Evening Standard24.12.07
West Ham will not be bidding for disgruntled Tottenham striker Darren Bent in the January transfer window.
The 23-year-old has struggled for form at White Hart Lane, raising the prospect of renewed interest from Alan Curbishley, who tried to sign him last summer.
But it is understood that despite West Ham's lengthy injury list - 13 senior players missed Saturday's 2-1 win at Middlesbrough - they have no intention of making an offer.
Bent, whose first-team opportunities have been limited at Spurs, would welcome a switch to east London. But his decision to spurn the Hammers in favour of a £16.5million move from Charlton to White Hart Lane has not been forgotten and the Hammers are looking at an alternative plan.
Curbishley will be in the market for a loan striker signing if the club's injury problems become more acute but otherwise the club are unenthusiastic about doing any major business.
The West Ham manager, meanwhile, today revealed his new role for midfield star Scott Parker, whose late winner against Middlesbrough was his first goal for the club.
"When Scott was coming through the ranks at Charlton he was an attacking midfielder who scored his share of goals," said Curbishley.
"Now we've asked Scott to get forward more and we knew that he could do it."
Reader views (1)
Thank God common sense has prevailed. Even though we have an acute striker problem Bent is not the answer, short or long term. For the type of money being bandied about there are far more prolific and experienced strikers who could be tempted into a move for regular first team football.
- David King, Bucks
