West Ham United FC

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Hammers astonished by claim

05 Sep 2008 - 10:06:54

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West Ham United have denied a claim made by George McCartney that they instigated his move to Sunderland on transfer deadline day.

The Northern Ireland international, who returned to Wearside on Monday, had earlier hit back at the Hammers after they said they felt compelled to let him leave after he had handed in a written transfer request.

McCartney had said: "I never did anything of the sort. The board at West Ham are probably trying to cover their tracks.

"I did propose that for family reasons I'd like to move back north, but the manager said I wasn't leaving and to just concentrate on West Ham.

"I was happy to stay. That was on the Friday and I played my part in the Blackburn game on the Saturday.

"The thought of leaving was finished as far as I was concerned, but then something changed. I got on an indication on Sunday that I could be on my way.

"These are strange times at West Ham and no-one really knows what's going on at boardroom level."

However, the Hammers have hit back, with a statement on the club's official website saying: "Having previously declared their interest, Sunderland approached West Ham United at the end of last week with a renewed offer to sign the player.

"Both McCartney and his agent were made aware of this development.

"However, as was demonstrated by the rejection of a previous bid and with the subsequent agreement of a new five-year contract, West Ham United had no intention of selling McCartney.

"Following this offer from Sunderland, McCartney handed in a signed written transfer request on Monday September 1, which stated 'due to private, family reasons I wish to accept the offer to move back to Sunderland AFC'.

"West Ham United are astonished by the claims made subsequently by the player that there was no written request to leave with McCartney having also repeatedly spoken of his desire to return to Sunderland to both the manager and senior club officials.

"On Sunday August 31, a senior club official wrote to McCartney stating 'no-one wants to sell. If you are happy to stay, great, it ends here. I thought you were unhappy and wanted to go'.

"The player then restated his desire to leave before handing in the written transfer request on Monday."