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West Ham rebuff Newcastle United interest in defender James Tomkins
Hammers owner David Gold insists the east London club will not sell anyone in January, as they look to bolster promotion bid and bring Premier League action back to Upton Park
5 Jan 2012 17:16:00
By Nathan Lowe
West Ham co-owner David Gold has rebuffed reports that defender James Tomkins is set for a move to Premier League side Newcastle United.
It had been recently reported that the Magpies had offered £4 million for the 22-year-old which was rejected out-of-hand by the Hammers, whilst QPR and Tottenham have also been linked with a move for the centre-back.
Gold, however, insists the club are looking to buy in the January window, as the east London outfit look bolster their promotion bid, and has unequivocally labelled Tomkins 'not for sale'.
"Let me say that as far as James Tomkins is concerned, he is a West Ham player through and through," Gold told London24.
"He has come through the Academy, he is loved by the fans, he has fought his way up, even since we have been here, and he has now come to the forefront and is a quality player.
"We want to keep James Tomkins, we really do want to keep him. I think it is fair to say he is not for sale."
Striker Carlton Cole's Upton Park future has also been speculated upon, but the Hammers executive insists he and fellow co-owner David Sullivan have no intention of selling anyone as the relegated club try to push their way back to the top flight.
Gold said: "We don't want to lose any of our players.
"It is very difficult for a chairman of a football club to turn round and say this is definitely not going to happen.
"No supporter wants to lose any of its good players and we want to keep our best players because our focus is 100 per cent on promotion and you don't gain promotion if you start selling.
"So I can promise you that we will do everything we can to keep our best players.
"If we can, we are looking to strengthen the squad.
"But what I keep telling everybody, the minute you announce you are looking for anybody, it makes it difficult to negotiate."
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It had been recently reported that the Magpies had offered £4 million for the 22-year-old which was rejected out-of-hand by the Hammers, whilst QPR and Tottenham have also been linked with a move for the centre-back.
Gold, however, insists the club are looking to buy in the January window, as the east London outfit look bolster their promotion bid, and has unequivocally labelled Tomkins 'not for sale'.
"Let me say that as far as James Tomkins is concerned, he is a West Ham player through and through," Gold told London24.
"He has come through the Academy, he is loved by the fans, he has fought his way up, even since we have been here, and he has now come to the forefront and is a quality player.
"We want to keep James Tomkins, we really do want to keep him. I think it is fair to say he is not for sale."
Striker Carlton Cole's Upton Park future has also been speculated upon, but the Hammers executive insists he and fellow co-owner David Sullivan have no intention of selling anyone as the relegated club try to push their way back to the top flight.
Gold said: "We don't want to lose any of our players.
"It is very difficult for a chairman of a football club to turn round and say this is definitely not going to happen.
"No supporter wants to lose any of its good players and we want to keep our best players because our focus is 100 per cent on promotion and you don't gain promotion if you start selling.
"So I can promise you that we will do everything we can to keep our best players.
"If we can, we are looking to strengthen the squad.
"But what I keep telling everybody, the minute you announce you are looking for anybody, it makes it difficult to negotiate."
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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