West Ham United Football Club News

• Nickname:Hammers
• Founded:1895
• Manager:Sam Allardyce

• Ground:Upton Park
• Capacity:35,595

City favourites to land Bellamy

19 Jan 2009 - 07:36:10

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Manchester City have emerged as the favourites to sign Wales international Craig Bellamy from West Ham United.

The Hammers are unwilling to sell the 29-year-old to London rivals Tottenham after Bellamy stated his intention to leave Upton Park this month.

Bellamy has rejected the offer of a new West Ham contract and was left out of Gianfranco Zola's squad for Sunday's 3-1 win against Fulham.

The former Chelsea star said after his side's weekend success: "Craig wasn't in the squad because he wasn't in the right frame of mind.

"I don't know what will happen - I don't know if he's played his last game for the club.

"I respect him and his attitude to me has been great, he always gives me 100 per cent. He knows I like him as a player.

"Craig is a player that I value very much but if he doesn't want to stay there's not much we can do about it.

"If he's sold I will get the money to spend on other players. We are looking at targets.

"It's important that the situation is dealt with as soon as possible. There's no deadline but I need to get on with my squad."

Bellamy has scored nine goals in 26 appearances for the Hammers following his transfer from Liverpool 18 months ago.