Source: Telegraph
West Ham ready to let Lucas Neill leave
Neill, 30, who moved to Upton Park from Blackburn Rovers in January 2007, has six months remaining on his West Ham contract, and the club have supposedly told Galatasaray the defender can leave if the Turks agree to pay the final part of his £70,000-per-week deal.[LNB]Neill, who has made 46 international appearances for Australia, was appointed West Ham captain in July 2007 following the departure of Nigel Reo-Coker to Aston Villa: he has scored once in 68 appearances for the side.[LNB]However despite the interest it is likely Neill will see out the final months of his contract and take his time to pick a new club in the summer.[LNB]The Australian was the second youngest player – after Harry Kewell – to represent his national side when he made his debut against Saudi Arabia in Riyadh in October 1996, aged 18 years and seven months.[LNB]He competed for Australia in the 2000 Olympics in Australia, and was a central member of the team that reached the knockout stages of the 2006 World Cup in Japan and South Korea under the guidance of Guus Hiddink. Neill conceded the controversial injury-time penalty against Italy, which Francesco Totti converted, eliminating Australia from the competition – the first time they had progressed past the group stage.[LNB]West Ham's reported willingness to release their club captain is another sign of the troubles facing the Upton Park outfit, although chief executive Scott Duxbury has said players don't need to be sold.[LNB]He said: "We must not be afraid of interest in, or bids for, our leading players.[LNB]"Each approach will be considered in terms of fee, fitness, form and where the manager thinks the player is in his career.[LNB]"We have to consider the will of the player and if he is committed to what we are trying to achieve." [LNB]
