• Premier League

Portsmouth won't stop Grant switching to West Ham

ESPN Soccernet staff
May 18, 2010
Avram Grant is "65 percent" likely to become West Ham's new manager © Getty Images
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Avram Grant is in pole position to be the next West Ham manager, but the final decision has yet to be taken, according to ESPNsoccernet sources.

Portsmouth administrator Andrew Andronikou has reluctantly given Grant permission to speak to Hammers co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold, and has even agreed not to demand any compensation for the remaining three years of the manager's Fratton Park contract.

The likelihood of Grant's appointment as successor to Gianfranco Zola was put at "65%" by a Hammers insider and the former Chelsea boss is now free to talk to West Ham after it became clear that Grant can walk away from Pompey without the club claiming recompense.

The Hammers also want to interview Sam Allardyce, Ian Holloway and David Jones before making a final decision, which means it might be a week, perhaps even two before an announcement is made.

Meanwhile, the Hammers have missed out on signing France star Sidney Govou on a free transfer from Lyon, as he accepted a €65,000-a-week offer to play in Turkey.

Birmingham and Sunderland were also interested in the 30-year-old winger, who won seven league titles with Lyon, but the Hammers were left the most disappointed, having been expected to seal a deal for him this week.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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