Behrami seeks Hammers exit

Behrami: Wants out

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has revealed that Valon Behrami is keen to leave the club.

"He doesn't want to be here, his wife doesn't like London - but he cost us £6million and his agent got more than £1million to bring him to West Ham."
David Sullivan. Quotes of the week

The Switzerland international has been strongly linked with a switch this summer, with Serie A outfit Palermo thought to be leading the chase.

Sullivan has now confirmed that the versatile 25-year-old has expressed a desire to move on, with the Hammers prepared to listen to offers.

"We have not had a bid for him," said the Upton Park supremo.

"He doesn't want to be here, his wife doesn't like London - but he cost us £6million and his agent got more than £1million to bring him to West Ham.

"He's actually a very decent player and I'm surprised we've not had a bid for him."

Bidder

West Ham are also looking to cash-in on Alessandro Diamanti after telling the Italian forward that he is surplus to requirements.

Sullivan said: "We had one bidder. He cost us £6million last summer."

But while Behrami and Diamanti could soon be heading for the exits, the Hammers are reluctant to sell Matthew Upson.

The England international appeared destined to be on his way earlier this summer, but a lack of interest has ensured that he remains part of Avram Grant's plans.

Contract

"He's not indicated to us what he wants to do," said Sullivan.

"He said he would after the World Cup. I think he probably thought a big club would come in for him but we've not had that.

"Sunderland inquired but he didn't think he wanted to go there. I hope this season he does prove he is worthy of playing in the Champions League. We have no choice if he wants to go into the last year of his contract.

"We've bought some good, new, young centre-halves and I'm interested to see how Upson performs.

"If he does well we will bid against other clubs for his services, if not we will let him go next summer. We've got Winston Reid and James Tomkins and plenty of centre-halves so let's see what he does. He is a great player."

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