Di Canio linked with United move

13 April 2012

West Ham were today waiting to see whether Sir Alex Ferguson follows up his long-term admiration of Paolo Di Canio with a firm part-exchange offer which would bring Dwight Yorke to Upton Park.

The Manchester United manager is, it is understood, considering a £3 million offer for the controversial Italian with West Ham being offered Yorke for a balance of £6 million.

Any proposed deal is still in its early stages, however, as West Ham's new manager Glenn Roeder is away on a family holiday and neither player has yet been sounded out.

In principle, it is a deal which could suit both clubs. Ferguson has become disaffected by 29-year-old Yorke's attitude over the past 12 months and Roeder has been dismayed by Di Canio's critical comments following the former Watford manager's appointment to succeed Harry Redknapp.

Di Canio, back home in Italy, has spoken to Roeder at length on the telephone and has assured him he wants to stay at West Ham. Even so, a part-exchange deal for Yorke could be tempting.

The volatile Di Canio is idolised by the majority of West Ham supporters but their mood, if he left, would be a great deal less hostile if the club were to sign a quality striker like Yorke to replace him.

Yorke's weakness for the bright lights, especially if he came to London, would inevitably be a concern for Roeder but the Trinidad and Tobago international remains a striker of proven pedigree who could form a fruitful partnership with Frederic Kanoute.

West Ham, meanwhile, remain committed to keeping Kanoute at all costs despite interest from Premiership rivals Aston Villa and Fulham.

The Frenchman, however, has been quoted as saying that he would like to play for a club managed by Jean Tigana and Roeder faces a battle to keep him at Upton Park.