Source: Daily_Mail
Fulham want Steve Sidwell as Wolves and West Ham moves stall
Fulham looked to have won the race to sign Steve Sidwell, having made a late bid to edge out Wolves and West Ham.[LNB]The former Reading and Chelsea midfielder is to leave Aston Villa this month as Gerard Houllier tries to cut the club's £70million wage bill, and Mark Hughes is the latest Barclays Premier League boss to make a move for Sidwell. [LNB]The Hammers looked favourites to snap up the 28-year-old but that switch appears to have stalled. [LNB] Home comforts: London-born Sidwell is set on a move back nearer to his family[LNB]Wolves agreed a £250,000 loan deal for Sidwell, who was in the stands to watch their win over Chelsea in midweek, but that move also seems to have hit the buffers. [LNB]But Fulham have come out on top, according to Wolves' club chief executive Jez Moxey, who today revealed Hughes's club were set to seal the deal.[LNB]He told the club website: 'Fulham have come in for him, and, ratherthan take over his contract which runs to the end of the season, theyhave offered him a long-term deal.[LNB]'We move on, we've always said how difficult it is to get players in, especially at this time of the year.[LNB]'We never believe a player is ours until he actually signs, so therewas no great surprise - although there was disappointment - herebecause we always knew there were other clubs interested.[LNB]'Even after a few days into the window's opening, it's already proving just as difficult as in previous years.[LNB]'However we continue to actively pursue at least two or three potential new signings.'[LNB]Wandsworth-born Sidwell has opted against staying in the Midlands to be near his family home in south-west London, according to the Mirror. [LNB]Sidwell is out of contract at Villa Park at the end of the season. He has made just 24 Premier League starts for the club since joining from Chelsea for £5m in 2008. [LNB] Sidwell's West Ham move collapses... leaving Wolves to pick up the piecesVilla players PRAISED by Houllier for drab defeat at home to SunderlandBosman XI: Sportsmail selects the team of stars out of contract in the summerThe Midlander: Any more of this and Villa will slide out of the trapdoor[LNB] Explore more:People: Gerard Houllier, Mark Hughes Places: London
