• Premier League

West Ham rule out Anelka

ESPN staff
January 22, 2013
Nicolas Anelka is running out of options © Getty Images
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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce insists Nicolas Anelka will not be joining the Premier League side in January.

Anelka, 33, is eager for a transfer from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua and has been linked with QPR, Paris Saint-Germain and the Hammers this month.

But with Rangers and PSG pulling out of the race for his signature due to Anelka's wage demands, West Ham were one of the few remaining options for the striker.

Allardyce claims the current depth of attackers at Upton Park has forced him to shift focus from Anelka to signing a defender.

"At the moment I am not in a position for Nicolas Anelka because my main priority is defenders," Allardyce said.

"We have got Andy Carroll close to coming back and we have got Carlton Cole, Marouane Chamakh and we have also brought in Wellington Paulista."

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