Skip to content

SONG CHANGES HIS TUNE

WEST HAM defender Rigobert Song has backtracked on comments made to the French press and suggested he wants to fight for his place at Upton Park.

Although admitting to holding transfer talks with Lens, the Cameroon international would be happy to remain in East London.

It is believed The Hammers will not entertain the prospect of selling a defender while Glenn Roeder is facing a major headache with regards to his team selection in that area, as the new season rapidly approaches.

Song initially told French publication Foot Transferts in a question and answer session: "Lens make me feel wanted and that gives me pleasure, I think that an agreement will be reached soon.

"Talks began before the Confederations Cup in June, and, since then, things have gone well, but a contract is yet to be agreed.

"I would like to play again in the French championship."

The interview was actually published last week, but the African ace feels he has been misquoted after speaking to other journalists on Monday.

"When you see the newspaper and you see a club wants you, say Lens, Marseille, or Paris Saint Germain, as a player you are happy to see that," Song told the official West Ham website.

"But, at this moment, I am happy at West Ham. If someone thinks they need me, I am very happy to know that.

"But I have three years with this club on my contract.

"I never, never said I wanted to leave. I spoke with some journalists yesterday but the problem is that some of them don't understand my English.

"So what I can say is that I'm sorry to be told what has been written. It is no good for me because I don't need that.

"I don't see why I should want to go back to France. I want to play with West Ham and I don't want to go to France. I want to see out my contract with West Ham."

Meanwhile, The Hammers continue to be linked with a bid to re-sign former midfielder Don Hutchison, who is currently with Sunderland, although Roeder played this story down when quizzed on the matter recently.