ZIVKOVIC’S A WILDER THING
WEST HAM were in a race against time last night to sign Hull striker Jarrod Bowen after a late hitch.
The Irons agreed an initial £14million fee with the Tigers, rising to more than £20m with add-ons, for the 23-year-old star after beating off competition from Crystal Palace.
They were allowed a clear run at Bowen after Newcastle pulled out of a deal because they feared the transfer fee was excessive for a player in the final few months of his contract.
But despite Bowen having a
KI SUNG-YUENG has left Newcastle after his contract was terminated.
The South Korea midfielder has only played four times this season and was deemed surplus to requirements.
Ki said: “It is a pity I could not do better.” medical, a last-gasp wrangle over his personal terms threatened to send the move right down to the wire.
With the Hammers in relegation danger, the club wanted a clause inserted into his contract reducing his wages by 50 per cent in the event of the club going down. That pushed negotiations deep into the night.
There were also fears that Bournemouth could make a late bid, but that was dependent on Josh King going to Manchester United, who pulled out of talks to pursue other options.
The Hammers need more
No Rich pickings for you, Barca.. CARLO ANCELOTTI says there is no possibility of Barcelona prising Richarlison away from Goodison Park.
Barca have been sniffing around the Brazilian (above), many believing their interest to be a prelude to a full-blown bid at the end of the season.
But asked about a summer swoop by Barcelona, Ancelotti said: “I don’t think it will be difficult to resist because it is enough to say no. There is no possibility because Richarlison is an important part of the future of Everton.” firepower with Sebastien Haller and Manuel Lanzini out of form, and Felipe Anderson, Andriy Yarmolenko and Michail Antonio injured.
Bowen has scored 16 goals this season, and Irons boss David Moyes said: “We’re always interested in people who can score goals and make a difference.”
SHEFFIELD UNITED snapped up Dutch striker Richairo Zivkovic last night – on loan until the end of the season.
Zivkovic (left), 23, a former Holland Under-21 international, arrives from Chinese club Changchun Yatai, with the Blades having the option of making the deal permanent in the summer.
Boss Chris Wilder, who paid Genk £22million for striker Sander Berge on Thursday, said: “We do sometimes go left field with our signings – but we’ve had to work very hard on bringing in Zivkovic.”
JOSE MOURINHO admits Spurs’ failure to sign a striker has hampered him.
He captured Holland winger Steven Bergwijn (above), but missed out on AC Milan forward Krzysztof Piatek, who opted for Hertha Berlin, and Chelsea frontman Olivier Giroud.
With Harry Kane recovering from his hamstring operation, boss Mourinho said: “We need a striker to have a better squad to face the challenges in front of us in three different competitions. I cannot hide. I cannot lie.”