Canaries: No Hammers bid for Holt
Norwich have denied reports that West Ham have bid £4million for wantaway striker Grant Holt.
The 31-year-old this week reaffirmed his desire to leave Carrow Road and has been linked with a host of clubs including the Hammers, Sunderland and Aston Villa following ex-Canaries boss Paul Lambert's appointment as Villa manager.
Reports on Sunday morning claimed West Ham had made the first move with a firm bid for Holt, who scored 15 Barclays Premier League goals last season. But Norwich chief executive David McNally quickly denied the speculation, writing on Twitter: "Just for the record, we have not received a £4m bid for Grant from West Ham as apparently is being suggested."
Holt stunned the Canaries last month by requesting a transfer, a request which was rejected by the club he joined in 2009. His agent, Lee Payne, has claimed the club had refused to give their captain a three-year contract because of his age.
Hammers manager Sam Allardyce wants to add a proven striker to his squad following their promotion back to the top flight via the play-offs. Carlton Cole scored 15 goals last season but the rest of their forwards, Nicky Maynard, Freddie Piquionne, John Carew and Sam Baldock, managed just 12 between them.
Allardyce also needs a new goalkeeper after chairman David Gold confirmed that Rob Green will leave when his contract runs out at the end of the month. The 32-year-old England international has turned down the offer of a new deal and will bring an end to his six-year spell at Upton Park.
Former captain Matthew Upson left Upton Park on a free transfer last year and Green is now set to follow suit having been linked with Tottenham, QPR, West Brom and Spanish side Malaga.
Gold wrote on Twitter: "Robert Green is a free agent he has chosen to move on. Matthew Upson did the same thing."
He added: "Nobody wants Rob to leave but nothing is forever, he must do what is best for him and we must do what is best for us."
Allardyce has lined up Bolton's Jussi Jaaskelainen as Green's replacement with the 37-year-old set to sign next week subject to passing a medical.
