Reo-Coker still waiting for news on Villa link

Jun 8 2007

NIGEL Reo-Coker is still waiting to hear whether he will be given permission to speak to Aston Villa about a £7million move from West Ham.

The Hammers and England Under-21 captain handed in a transfer request last month after helping the club avoid relegation from the Premiership.

West Ham are still considering this week's initial bid from Villa for Reo-Coker, who cost them £500,000 from Wimbledon in January 2004.

"A bid has been made and it's up to the businessmen to come to some sort of arrangement," Reo-Coker said. "If I'm given permission to go and speak, I'm given permission. But I've no control."

The 23-year-old midfielder insists handing in a transfer request was a "difficult decision".

"It's not something that any player will do lightly," he said. "It's a very difficult decision. I've handed in a transfer request because I don't believe my future is at West Ham."

Whether or not the Villa bid is accepted, it appears only a matter of time before Reo-Coker leaves Upton Park.

He was linked with a move to Arsenal in January amid rumours he was unsettled at West Ham. Those stories upset Hammers' supporters, some of whom jeered their skipper during the side's poor start to the season.

On Reo-Coker's future at the club, Curbishley added: "He is away with the (England) Under-21s at the moment with two of our other boys.

"I have heard nothing in respect of any activity. There are lots of rumours about our club at the moment. We can't go around answering it all. It has been indicated but, as of now, he is still a West Ham player."