French star set for Upton Park Switch?

By James Truby
June 10 2005

This week has seen Pardew linked with an audacious bid to sign ex Manchester United goalkeeper and French international Fabien Barthez. The player who is 34 is currently with Monaco, however he is currently serving a ban until December 31 for spitting at a referee during a French league match.

This could be a shrewd move from Pardew as Barthez's ban only applies to French football and a move to East London on loan represents a chance to revive his career, while the Hammers would have a top quality replacement for the injured Millenium stadium hero Jimmy Walker.

The report first surfaced in the London Evening Standard from a journalist who is widely regarded to have a good track record of breaking stories from the club. The story also reported that Roy Carroll has been sounded out, although it remains to be seen whether Pardew would want to sign him on a long term basis when his wages are said to be over £20,000 per week.

It's not the first time West Ham have been linked to signng a new goalkeeper, Kelvin Davis, Mart Poom and Antti Niemi have also been muted in recent days.