Premier League transfers: Parker in demand
Scott Parker had one of the best seasons of his career, as he helped West Ham stay in the Premier League after they were near the relegation places for most of the season. The battling midfielder endeared himself to the West Ham fans after producing a number of Man of the Match performances through the course of the season.
Two clubs reportedly in line to make offers for the former Charlton midfielder are Tottenham and Liverpool. Spurs are looking to improve a squad which is short in terms of depth after securing a place in the Champions League qualifiers. Although Manager Harry Redknapp has stressed the need for cover at the back, with central defenders Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King out injured, it seems that the former Portsmouth manager is also looking to provide cover for Tom Huddlestone and Wilson Palacios in the centre of the park.
The other club in line to sign Scott Parker are Liverpool, who look defeated after losing Javier Mascherano to Inter Milan after the Argentina Captain made it clear that he wanted to join the departing Rafa Benitez in Italy. Liverpool’s new manager, Roy Hodgson can get a direct replacement for Mascherano if he signs the Englishman as both players are in the same mould. If anything, Scott Parker has more to his game, since he scores goals and can help drive the team forwards, something Mascherano fails at this miserably.
However, with West Ham declaring that Scott Parker was not for sale for any price, both clubs will have to spend a lot of money if they are going to change the mind of the people in charge at West Ham. Due to his performances, Parker has also become a fan favourite and his transfer is going to be very unpopular with the supporters unless a substantial sum of money is involved, in which case another high quality player, or players, can be signed to replace the Englishman.
Liverpool should be favourites to sign the player, despite being in a lot of trouble when it comes to finances, because the team needs someone like him in there and the current contenders at the Merseyside club are just not good enough if Liverpool are hoping to secure a Champions League place next season.
Tottenham, on the other hand, are merely looking for back-up in a midfield which is already very strong, including the likes of Tom Huddlestone, Wilson Palacios, Jermaine Jenas, Luka Modric and Jamie O’Hara who has returned from his loan spell from Portsmouth. If Parker had been available on a relatively small price, Redknapp perhaps could have went for him but with competition from Liverpool as well as West Ham’s reluctance to let him go, it seems that the North London club will be out of the race to sign the English International soon enough.
Parker’s last move to a big club turned out very badly for him as he failed to settle down in the Chelsea squad after transferring from Charlton. Since then he has been at some of the less successful clubs in English football and it seems he does well when he is the big fish at a club, rather than one of many. Whether this move will materialize, or work out for Parker, is difficult to judge but West Ham will be hoping they manage to retain their best player from a very difficult season.
Tags: