West Ham MD Paul Aldridge says that the proposed transfer of
Bosnian Misrad Hibic has been scuppered by agents' demands.
Although a fee for the centre half was agreed, and the player himself was delighted to come pending a work permit appeal next Thursday, a change of terms insisted on by his representatives has effectively meant the deal is off.
Says Paul:
"I went to Spain with our lawyer Scott Duxbury and we agreed a fee with Atletico Madrid.
"We then saw the player and his agent and agreed terms with them.
"Now the agent has made outrageous demands which not only vastly increased what he wants, but would have made it more advantageous for him to seek to move the player on in a short space of time.
"That is not acceptable to us, and, though we are naturally disappointed we will not be held to ransom."
The key sticking point was the fact that if the player joined - with a four year contract drawn up - and then was pressurised by his advisors to move on quickly, Glenn Roeder would then have been in a position where he would once more be looking for defensive cover.
The Hammers' boss has complained in the summer about agents slowing down deals, and in this case it appears that they have prevented one.
There are grounds for optimism, however, that there could be a successful move into the transfer market next week.
Meanwhile, Paul Kitson's injury does not appear serious, and he should be back in action in time for the Leeds game.
Although a fee for the centre half was agreed, and the player himself was delighted to come pending a work permit appeal next Thursday, a change of terms insisted on by his representatives has effectively meant the deal is off.
Says Paul:
"I went to Spain with our lawyer Scott Duxbury and we agreed a fee with Atletico Madrid.
"We then saw the player and his agent and agreed terms with them.
"Now the agent has made outrageous demands which not only vastly increased what he wants, but would have made it more advantageous for him to seek to move the player on in a short space of time.
"That is not acceptable to us, and, though we are naturally disappointed we will not be held to ransom."
The key sticking point was the fact that if the player joined - with a four year contract drawn up - and then was pressurised by his advisors to move on quickly, Glenn Roeder would then have been in a position where he would once more be looking for defensive cover.
The Hammers' boss has complained in the summer about agents slowing down deals, and in this case it appears that they have prevented one.
There are grounds for optimism, however, that there could be a successful move into the transfer market next week.
Meanwhile, Paul Kitson's injury does not appear serious, and he should be back in action in time for the Leeds game.