Source: SKY_Sports
Zola coy on transfer targets
Gianfranco Zola has welcomed the signing of Czech Republic international Radoslav Kovac but refused to reveal anything about other potential targets.
Kovac spent the closing half of last season on loan at Upton Park but secured a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee from Spartak Moscow on Friday.
The Italian manager believes that Kovac will become an integral part of his team over the course of his three-year contract.
"He's a player that last year did very well for us and he's a good player for us. He's got experience, he's got charisma, good personality and he'll be an important player for us," Zola said.
However, the former Chelsea player played his cards very close to his chest when discussing other transfer targets, which are rumoured to include Luca Toni, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Marouane Chamakh.
Even though he did not personally reveal any names, Zola admitted that he was working on transfers that would strengthen the Hammers' front-line.
"We are working on it (transfers). That is (attack) the part from last year that we need to improve and we are working on it. It's not easy.
"I can't give you a percentage (chance of a deal), it is our concern and before the time expires we are going to come up with something.
"It is no doubt that we are looking for some striker reinforcement, for me to tell you in detail what we are looking for is not right. We will find some."
Zola also addressed the speculation that West Ham might have to sell defender Matthew Upson in order to finance incoming transfers.
He said: "For the moment it is not in our plan (to sell Upson). Hopefully it's not going to happen, we are trying to improve from last year's squad so it shouldn't happen."
Lucas Neill and Dean Ashton have also been linked with moves away from West Ham, but Zola was quick to deflect attention away from the possible departures, instead choosing to focus on Ashton's race for fitness.
"Lucas Neill was discussing the (contract) situation with the club, so you have to ask the club about it. It looks like they haven't found an agreement yet and I don't know how it's going to end up, to be honest," the 43-year-old manager said.
"Dean Ashton is still waiting. I'll be very excited to have him training with me but, unfortunately, it hasn't happened for the moment. As far as I know, he is still working on his fitness and hopefully he will be OK soon."
