West Ham accept Ferdinand offer

[Marky]

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley says the club have accepted a bid from Sunderland for Anton Ferdinand.

The 23-year-old defender is mulling over Sunderland's offer, with the transfer fee reportedly as much as £8m.

Curbishley told BBC Radio 5 Live: "The board have accepted the bid - he's not renegotiated his contract - and the decision was taken out of my hands.

"I don't know where Anton is in terms of signing for Sunderland but once the club accept the bid it moves on."

Ferdinand, the younger brother of Manchester United star Rio, signed a three-year contract extension in July 2005 and his current deal is due to expire in 2010.

Already without a number of injured defenders - Danny Gabbidon, James Collins, James Tomkins, George McCartney and Jonathan Spector - Curbishley is hoping to sign a defender before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

"We are thin on the ground," said Curbishley. "If we lose another defender we will have to react to that."
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Big money for him, i think he's a bit dodgy myself. Is a good defender on his day though, maybe Keane will get the best out of him.
Sunderland definetely needed another centre half.

[Joe King]

Wow, on behalf of both parties

[Matt]

The final proof that the English market is absolutely ridiculous.

[The Erectile Banana]

The final proof that the English market is absolutely ridiculous.

If final proof was indeed needed.

Sounds like another of Roy Keane's expensive follies - file under McShane, Chopra, Richardson, Halford etc.

[Craig_H]

I think he'll do well at Sunderland, i dont think he'll flop.

But compared to the fees for the likes of agger and skrtel, it looks expensive.

[Elvoz]

i think ive found what roy keane been watching all summer

[bobbyfallon]

i think he is decent enough

[Matt]

If final proof was indeed needed.

Sounds like another of Roy Keane's expensive follies - file under McShane, Chopra, Richardson, Halford etc.

i think he is decent enough

He's alright and he'll be an improvement to what Sunderland have.

Keane has paid over the odds again but I think he's doing a good job. It can't be easy signing players for a team like Sunderland who are actually good enough to take the team to where they want to be.

[Elvoz]

i think he is decent enough

then i will never believe a thing you ever say again pal

[bobbyfallon]

then i will never believe a thing you ever say again pal

it s just an opinion

[Rich]

You got to wonder what wages he has been offered too - I heard from the Guardian Podcast that Ferdinand was desperate to stay in London.

[Resu]

You got to wonder what wages he has been offered too - I heard from the Guardian Podcast that Ferdinand was desperate to stay in London.

He wants to stay close his "sick" grannie, or whoever it was.

[Exiled_red]

The final proof that the English market is absolutely ridiculous.

It makes £18m for Barry seem reasonable

:takes cover under the desk: