• Premier League

West Ham hopeful on Bridge loan deal

Harry Harris
January 11, 2011
Wayne Bridge has had little chance to impress this season © Getty Images
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West Ham have agreed to make Wayne Bridge their highest-paid player at £90,000-a-week, and are hoping the deal will go through in the next 48 hours in time for Saturday's clash with Arsenal.

Bridge is available on loan as he has been unable to secure a regular starting place under Roberto Mancini at Manchester City, and negotiations are ongoing after the left back chose to reject an approach from Aston Villa.

The former Chelsea defender is keen to return to London, with a medical being lined up, and a source told ESPNsoccernet: "The deal is 90% done, but there are some loose ends."

Manchester City have been playing hard ball over the loan of their surplus stars, insisting that clubs pick up the entirety of their wages and pay a loan fee, or commit to signing the player on a permanent contract.

West Ham will only consider a permanent deal for Bridge if they avoid relegation as they are keen to avoid paying high wages if they do drop into the Championship.

Meanwhile, it is understood that West Ham will have a board meeting on Wednesday in which they will make a decision over the position of manager Avram Grant.

West Ham face Birmingham City in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final on Tuesday night and Grant's future will be on the agenda irrespective of the result.

The Israeli's chances of avoiding the axe are in the balance, with Sam Allardyce emerging as the favourite to take his place.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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