Takeover of West Ham United
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Kia Joorabchian is ready to bring a third South American player to Upton Park if his prospective takeover of West Ham United goes through. The Iranian-born businessman was instrumental in the arrival of Argentina's Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano from Corinthians, and would like to sign the Brazilian attacking midfielder Carlos Alberto from the same club in January.
Alberto has fallen out with his coach, Emerson Leao, and is close to Joorabchian, who oversaw his £4.5m transfer from Porto to Corinthians in 2005 through Media Sport Investment (MSI), the group that runs Corinthians and facilitated the moves of Tevez and Mascherano to Upton Park. Alberto was due in London yesterday to discuss his future with Joorabchian.
A transfer for the 21-year-old to West Ham would be contingent on Joorabchian taking control at Upton Park. He is close to completing due diligence and, provided that is to his satisfaction, is expected to make a formal offer for the club by the end of next week.
It will cost his consortium at least £70m to buy the shares, and he enjoys considerable financial backing from the Israeli property magnate Eli Papouchado. The pair visited West Ham's training ground this week.
Alberto won the European Cup at Porto in 2004 under Jose Mourinho, now Chelsea manager, and scored the opening goal in the 3-0 victory over Monaco in the final. He joined Porto from Fluminense in 2004 but left after a year having been lured back to his homeland by Corinthians
If Joorabchian becomes West Ham's owner, one of his first tasks will be to address the future of the manager, Alan Pardew. The team have lost eight successive games and are in the Premiership's relegation zone. If he opts for a British manager, Alan Curbishley would be a candidate. Curbishley, a former West Ham player, has been out of work since leaving Charlton at the end of last season.
West Ham is becoming a training ground for south american imports... What are the odds... an Iranian and an Israeli working together... -
why would someone want to buy a team in the relegation zone??
y not buy clubs like wigan or blackburn?? -
WH has a fine tradition of churning out good youth players - Lampard being one of them. And to me, it is quite a charming club in addition to its name.
Portsmouth used to be flirting with relegation as well and Fulham was in 1st division when the Eygptian bought it I think....so, it doesn't matter one. Usually clubs like that are cheaper mah....if I got the money I will buy Rushdeen & Diamonds because I like the name.