/ 26 January 2010

Benni heading for the Hammers?

South Africa’s Benni McCarthy could be on his way from Blackburn to West Ham after his current club confirmed on Monday they’d received a written offer from their Premier League rivals.

The 32-year-old striker has grown disillusioned with his lack of first-team starts under Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce and has been agitating for a move to ensure regular football in the run-up to the World Cup finals in his home country in June and July.

Relations between McCarthy and Allardyce were not helped by the forward’s non-appearance at Blackburn’s last two training sessions.

“We are very disappointed with Benni’s non-appearance for training and will deal with it separately should he remain here after the transfer window has closed,” Allardyce said Monday.

“We have said all along that we will listen to offers, but only agree to sell if both the commercial and football reasons satisfy Blackburn Rovers. That situation remains unchanged.”

West Ham have been in the market for a striker following the London club’s takeover by David Sullivan and David Gold, the former owners of Birmingham.

The Hammers are only presently above the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference while Blackburn are five points clear of the bottom three. — AFP