West Ham hope to rescue Malbranque from Fulham
West Ham United boss Alan Pardew said he was prepared to rescue Steed Malbranque from being left to rot at Fulham.
The French attacking midfielder has been frozen out at Craven Cottage having been told by manager Chris Coleman that he has no future at the club.
Proposed moves to Newcastle, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough fell through and it was thought that Pardew’s interest had waned due to Malbranque’s wage demands, thought to have been around 40,000 pounds (75,000 dollars) a week after tax.
However, facing having to sit out the remaining year of his contract on the sidelines at Craven Cottage, Malbranque may have lowered his demands and a 2.5 million pounds (4.7 million dollars) switch across London to Upton Park is now on the cards before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month.
“He is a target for us and has been (during the pre-season),” said Pardew.
“Conversations have taken place but there is such a complexity around that particular player — and complexities around other players — that at the moment we can’t clarify anything.
“We just think that in the next seven days it will clear up and we will either secure Malbranque or another player of his stature.
“Fulham have made it very clear he is not going to play for Fulham. His future lies elsewhere and he is a quality player and I am sure there are a number of clubs interested, not just ourselves.”
Those complexities could hinge around Malbranque’s groin injury, which either requires full surgery that would leave him out for three months or a minor procedure which would sideline him for three weeks.
Pardew has made no secret of his concerns that West Ham lack resources on the wings, something that has become more evident with Yossi Benayoun and Matthew Etherington both carrying knocks into the opening week of the season.
The Hammers have still made an encouraging start to the season, with four points from two games.
West Ham, last season’s FA Cup runners-up, qualified for the UEFA Cup as their cup final opponents Liverpool were already qualified for the Champions League.
The Hammers discover who they will face in the UEFA Cup first round on Friday and Pardew is confident they can make an impression in Europe.
“We are looking for a favourable draw,” he said.
“I am not exactly sure what that is but I guess we would like to avoid one of the blue riband clubs.
“It is a nice position to be in. Two years ago it seemed a million miles away but we have made a lot of big strides since then and I will continue to try to make big strides at this club because I don’t believe in small steps.
“This is a new challenge to us. The UEFA Cup is a nice bonus to have this year and will raise the excitement levels.
“We are a good team. I think we have quality players and as long as our motivation levels are high there is no reason we can’t have continued success.”
Source:Soccer News
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