West Ham move to sign Morrison

Talented Manchester United teenager Ravel Morrison is on the brink of joining Championship side West Ham, according to widespread reports.

Morrison, rated as one of the most naturally talented young players to come through United’s ranks since Paul Scholes, is reportedly demanding a £30,000-a-week contract at United – a figure the Premier League club are not willing to meet.

With the attacking midfielder’s current deal expiring at the end of the season, United have decided to sell now rather than risk a transfer fee being set by a tribunal in the summer.

The Guardian and the Telegraph both report that Morrison, 18, is being shipped out to the Hammers, with the latter newspaper claiming a fee has already been agreed.

The move represents something of a coup for West Ham as Premier League Newcastle had an offer rejected by United earlier this month while Bolton had a bid accepted, only for the player to turn down the move.

While Roma were also seriously interested in the player, the opportunity to play first team football persuaded Morrison to move to Upton Park.

Morrison is rated by Trevor Brooking, the FA’s director of football development, alongside Paul Gascoigne and Jack Wilshere at the same age.

However, despite the youngster’s quality on the pitch, his short career has already been tainted by a series of disciplinary problems off it. Among them was a caution for assaulting his mother and he has been urged to seek counselling.

Meanwhile, Barnsley forward Ricardo Vaz Te is also poised for a move to West Ham. Vaz Te, who was signed on a free transfer from Hibernian in the summer, has been a revelation at Oakwell this season, scoring 12 goals in 24 appearances from a wide position.

The Lisbon-born forward penned a one-year deal with the Tykes and was reported to have rejected a new deal earlier this month.

His form and contractual situation has attracted the attention of Hammers boss Sam Allardyce, who brought the 25-year-old to England in 2003 while at Bolton, and Barnsley confirmed this morning that they have given the two parties permission to discuss a deal after an undisclosed fee was agreed.

Allardyce hinted at a deal for a forward on Monday, saying: “Hopefully we’ll secure one player to add to the squad. If I can bring someone in on the front line then great.”

Credit: http://soccernet.espn.go.com

Tags: Manchester United, Ravel Morrison, West Ham United

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