Source: Team_Talk
Grant closes in on Barrera capture
West Ham manager Avram Grant has hailed the qualities of Pablo Barrera as the Mexico winger closes in on his move to Upton Park.[LNB] Barrera, who impressed as an impact substitute at the World Cup, is expected to cost the Hammers a fee in the region of £4million.[LNB]His current club - UNAM Pumas - revealed at the weekend that Barrera is likely to sign a four-year contract at Upton Park and Grant believes it bodes well for the future of the club.[LNB]"He is more of a winger and he can play on either side," Grant told Sky Sports News.[LNB]"He is a very good player and is good for the vision of the club.[LNB]"We are trying to bring in players of a good age and develop them. He's a good player."[LNB]Grant has so far only brought in Thomas Hitzlsperger this summer, but is hoping to make further signings in the coming days after the likes of Loic Remy and Tal Ben Haim were linked with West Ham.[LNB]He added: "We are trying to bring in a few more players that can improve the team, improve the squad. [LNB]"Our target is to make signings this week, but we cannot talk about them until they are done. In football anything can happen until the last moment."[LNB]The Irons boss added on the Hammers' official website: "It is not a number. It is about players that can improve the team.[LNB]"If it will be two it is two, if it is five then five. We want players that can improve us and this is our target, not numbers."[LNB]Some players could also leave Upton Park, with Olympiacos said to be tracking Alessandro Diamanti and Radoslav Kovac.[LNB]Scott Parker continues to attract interest from Aston Villa, but is scheduled to join up with the rest of the West Ham squad when they head off to Germany tomorrow.[LNB]England duo Robert Green and Matthew Upson will, along with United States defender Jonathan Spector and Switzerland's Valon Behrami, also head off to the training camp having been on extended leave after the World Cup.[LNB]While away, West Ham will face Borussia Monchengladbach on July 17 and also Greek side Panathinaikos.[LNB]Grant takes his side to MK Dons on July 28 and then npower Championship side Ipswich before the visit of Spanish outfit Deportivo la Coruna to Upton Park as the curtain-raiser to the new campaign.
