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Tottenham have have emerged as rivals to Arsenal in the chase to sign West Ham central defender Winston Reid at the end of the season.
Reid’s contract expires in June and he has so far refused all overtures from West Ham to sign a new, improved deal.
Arsenal are rumoured to be prepared to offer £3 million for the 26-year-old New Zealand international during this month’s transfer window but West Ham, currently enjoying a successful season in the Premier League, are prepared to keep him until the end of the season, when he can leave for free.
It is understood that Reid is keen to stay in London, wants to play Champions League football and is looking for a £1 million signing-on fee and £60,000 per week.
“I don’t know for sure whether Winston will stay or go,” said West Ham manager Sam Allardyce earlier this week. “This club has a big few years ahead of it and is on the up. If we can finish the season in a high position in the Premier League, perhaps Winston may feel he wants to stay here.”
Writing recently for Fanbookz, a social network site dedicated to football fans, Reid said: ‘Lots has been said about my future at West Ham over the past couple of months. The most important thing to say is that I haven't decided on anything I'm going to do in the future yet and that's the end of it.’
‘As a player I'll always give 100 per cent for the club and I've always tried to do my best, and even though nothing has been agreed with the club yet I'll still continue to play that way.
‘Issues going on in the background are just a part of life and I'll try to not let that affect my game. You can't do anything but get on with your day-to-day life and just do the business on the pitch.’
