Cottagers Snap Up Konchesky

Think Dailly is wishing him a happy birthday?

Paul Konchesky became new Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez's fifth signing of the summer after he penned a four-year contract and ended his anguish at West Ham.

Konchesky's future at Upton Park looked uncertain when his former Charlton boss Alan Curbishley arrived last season and he made just four appearances after Alan Pardew's exit in December.

Konch has always been a bit of a fantasy gamble. He's a good crosser of the ball, good at set pieces, and will (surprisingly unwillingly) play in midfield. However he has a horrible disciplinary record. At his best with Charlton he was good for an assist and a yellow per match. At West Ham it just got worse.

This move doesn't make much sense unless he's going to be asked to play in midfield. Fulham already have Bocanegra and Queudrue on the left side of defence. However they never replaced Boa Morte, who made that side of midfield his own since going to Fulham from Arsenal. And after releasing Jensen, Radzinski, and Pembridge, they may be looking to Konch for his attacking, not his defending, skills. If he does end up in midfield, and if he does end up taking dead balls for Fulham, and if he can stay out of the referee's notebook, he may be a real fantasy bargain.

Never mind

Charlton striker Darren Bent has turned down a move to West Ham after the two clubs agreed a fee.

"We set a valuation for Darren and West Ham were the only club prepared to meet that valuation," said Charlton chief executive Peter Varney.

"This morning we gave them permission to speak to Darren, which he did, and he has decided not to join West Ham."

Does this presage a move to Spurs?

Hammers Win Bent Race

West Ham are set to beat Tottenham and Liverpool to sign Charlton striker Darren Bent in an £18million deal.

According to the Daily Star, the Hammers have offered £80,000 a week to secure Bent's services, while Charlton will receive £15million plus Marlon Harewood and Hayden Mullins, who are surplus to requirements at Upton Park.

West Ham's need for a top-class striker was thrown into yet sharper focus when Inter owner Massimo Moratti confirmed they are keen to sign the Hammers' Argentine star Carlos Tevez.