West Ham have confirmed they have rejected an offer from Tottenham for Scott Parker, with chairman David Sullivan insisting the midfielder is not for sale at any price.
The 29-year-old England international has been linked with a summer move away from Upton Park, with White Hart Lane a possible destination.
But Sullivan said: “I made a promise that I would not sell Scott and I will not, for any amount of money, break that promise to the West Ham supporters.
“West Ham supporters, for far too long, have had owners that sell their best players and promise one thing and do another. This is a new era. We are building a bigger, better West Ham and when we make a promise, we honour it.”
Hernandez ready for United challenge
Javier Hernandez is relishing the challenge of trying to break into Manchester United’s first team.
The 22-year-old knows United already have plenty of firepower with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen to call upon, but Hernandez is undaunted by the prospect of competing with such stellar names.
He said: “There is never easy competition. I’ve seen that since I played in the youth teams in Guadalajara.
“There will always be competition at United. They are world-famous players. I will try to do the best I possibly can and we’ll let the coaching staff and the manager decide because that’s his responsibility.”
I’d love to play with Torres – Tevez
Carlos Tevez has urged Liverpool striker Fernando Torres to join him at Manchester City, describing his own move to Eastlands as the best decision of his life.
Torres has been repeatedly linked with City this summer, although interest appeared to have cooled, particularly after Reds boss Roy Hodgson said the Spain striker was looking forward to returning to training on Monday.
However, Tevez said: “Torres would definitely make us better. He’s one of the top strikers in the world and I would love to have him as a team-mate.
“The club will pick up reinforcements. I know I’ve never regretted coming to City. It’s the best decision I ever made.”
Krhin heading for Bologna
Bologna have confirmed they have signed Rene Krhin in a co-ownership deal with Inter, with youngster Lorenzo Paramatti going the other way.
Krhin, 20, has been a long-term target for Manchester United and Chelsea.
Paramatti, son of former Bologna captain and Juventus midfielder Michele Paramatti, has completed his switch to the San Siro. The 15-year-old, who is among the most promising young talents in Italy, will join Inter’s youth team.
Bologna have also confirmed the signing of Nicolo Cherubin, 23, from Cittadella.
Bendtner blow for Gunners
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed striker Nicklas Bendtner will miss the start of the Premier League season due to a persistent groin injury.
Bendtner, 22, underwent surgery last November but the injury hampered his World Cup campaign.
Wenger also fears he could be without Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie for the opener against Liverpool on August 15.
“Bendtner will not be available for the start of the season,” Wenger said.
“Fabregas and Van Persie are due to come back on August 5 and from then on we will see how much build-up work is needed physically and as well how they have recovered mentally from the World Cup.”
Ronaldo returns to training early
Real Madrid’s Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo cut short his holidays by one day and started training on Tuesday under the club’s new manager Jose Mourinho for the first time before the team headed to the US.
The team left for California yesterday morning for a pre-season training camp where they will remain until August 7.
Several other Real Madrid internationals who took part in the World Cup will meet up with the squad in California, such as Brazil’s Kaka, who will arrive on Saturday.
Real will play two pre-season friendlies in California. The club will face Mexican side Aguilas de America on August 4 and US side LA Galaxy three days later.
Young ponders Liverpool move
Aston Villa defender Luke Young has emerged as a target for Liverpool – and is weighing up whether to make a cut price £2.5 million move to Anfield.
Villa manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed he has received an offer for former England right-back Luke Young.
Sources close to the club indicated the interest in the former Charlton and Middlesbrough player is from the Reds. Young was one of half a dozen players made available for transfer at the end of the season – if the price was right.
O’Neill said: “There has been an offer from a club which Luke is mulling over and, if it doesn’t materialise, then he would join us in Portugal (for the Guadiana Cup).”