SUMMER SALES
Hammers land Ben Haim
WEST HAM have further strengthened their squad after landing Israeli defender Tal Ben Haim on a five-month loan deal.
The 28-year-old former Chelsea and Manchester City centre-back played under Hammers boss Avram Grant at Portsmouth and is the fourth new arrival at Upton Park.
Grant also says he does not want to sell striker Carlton Cole, insisting his new 4-3-3 system will suit the front man.
Cole has been linked with a £9m move to Stoke, but Grant said: “I don’t want to sell Carlton. He is working very hard. His attitude is good. He’s a good player.”
Iniesta latest to tout Cesc
WORLD CUP winner Andres Iniesta is the latest Barcelona star to express his wish to play alongside Cesc Fabregas at Camp Nou next season.
The Spanish giants have been chasing the Arsenal midfielder all season but the Gunners are unwilling to negotiate a transfer.
Iniesta said: “We all want him to come because he will help us to go up a level – he’s very complete. However, he belongs to Arsenal and the two clubs must understand each other.”
Arsenal, meanwhile, have let youngster Sanchez Watt rejoin Leeds United on a season-long loan deal.
Hodgson eyes Flamini bid
LIVERPOOL boss Roy Hodgson is eyeing up a move for former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini to replace wantaway Javier Mascherano.
Flamini, 26, has endured a nightmare two years at AC Milan since joining from Arsenal, making just 14 starts last season, many of them at right-back.
Aston Villa have also expressed an interest, but Hodgson heads the list of suitors with £25m-rated Mascherano admitting his desire to leave Anfield.
Portsmouth face liquidation threat in court
FOOTBALL
PORTSMOUTH will learn tomorrow whether they face a further points’ penalty and possible liquidation when they re-appear at the High Court.
HM Revenue & Customs are challenging a Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) to allow the club to come out of administration, insisting they are owed £13m more than the £24m claimed by the administrators.
If successful, the club, who were relegated to the Championship last season, could face a points’ deduction for the coming campaign, or, even worse, the threat of liquidation.