BELLAMY DEAL NOT DONE - WEST HAM

West Ham have confirmed that Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy has agreed terms on a £7.5million move to Upton Park but denied reports that the deal has been finalised.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez had claimed that a deal for the Wales captain's transfer had been agreed following his side's 3-2 friendly victory over Wrexham on Saturday.

But the Hammers have issued a statement saying the move cannot go through until the a 27-year-old sorts out a "private contractual issue" with the Anfield club.

They also confirmed Bellamy has passed a medical at Upton Park.

The statement, on the club's official website, www.whufc.com:, said: "Following comments attributed to Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez today, West Ham United would like to make it clear that Craig Bellamy has not yet completed a move to Upton Park.

"The deal has been delayed due to a private contractual issue between Craig Bellamy and Liverpool, which must be resolved before any transfer can be completed.

"The player is due to meet with Liverpool on Monday morning, and we expect to complete the transfer soon after."

Bellamy, who looks certain to leave Merseyside after just one season, has been deemed surplus to requirements by Benitez following the £20million capture of Spain forward Fernando Torres and the free transfer of Andriy Voronin.

Bellamy would become West Ham's fourth summer signing and take manager Alan Curbishley's spending since he arrived at Upton Park in December to nearly £40million.

The fee for Bellamy breaks West Ham's previous transfer record of £7.25million, which the Hammers paid Norwich for Dean Ashton in January 2006.

Midfielders Scott Parker and Julien Faubert plus goalkeeper Richard Wright have already signed for the Hammers this summer.

Curbishley had previously targeted Darren Bent and had a £17million offer accepted by Charlton, only for the England striker to reject West Ham for Tottenham.

West Ham and Liverpool may be doing business again soon after Benitez also conceded he was interested in Yossi Benayoun.

A part-exchange deal had been mooted as part of the Bellamy transfer but if the Israel midfielder is to join the Reds it will now have to be a separate move.

The Spaniard said: "Any move for Benayoun to join us from West Ham will not be linked with the Bellamy sale. We have made an offer which has been rejected.

"He is a player I like and would want to sign, and I believe he wants to join us, but that deal will be separate now. We will have to wait and see what happens now next week."

Taken From = football365=