West Ham set to beat Sunderland and Birmingham in race to sign Sidney Govou

18 May 2010 00:47
West Ham hope to close a deal for France international Sidney Govou this week. [LNB]Govou, 30, is out of contract at Lyon and is available on a free transfer after playing his last game for the club against Le Mans. [LNB]Birmingham and Sunderland have also been chasing the winger, but West Ham are strong favourites to clinch his signature. [LNB] Waving goodbye: Sidney Govou has played his last game for Lyon [LNB]Govou said: 'For sure, I will not play for Lyon next season. I havesome contacts and I am relaxed as coaches know what I can bring totheir team. I never said my ambition is to play in this or that league.I am open [to offers] and relaxed.' [LNB]West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold are determined tostrengthen the squad and bring in some big name signings during thesummer. [LNB]West Ham, meanwhile, have dropped interest in Ipswich wonder kidConnor Wickham. Along with Sunderland, they were keen on 17-year-oldWickham, whose agent is ex-Upton Park favourite Paul Goddard, but theycould not match Tottenham's offer of £5m that will also allow Ipswichto keep him on a season-long loan. [LNB]Wickham is with the England squad at the European Under-17Championship finals being staged in Liechtenstein, where they opentonight against the Czech Republic. [LNB] West Ham want Olympic Stadium after 2012 Games... but with 60,000 fansWest Ham may turn to Yakubu if Cole signs off from Upton ParkAvram moves closer to West Ham as Pompey admit they won't stand in wayWEST HAM UNITED FC

Source: Daily_Mail