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Allardyce feels Vaz Te has been 'tapped up'

Allardyce feels Vaz Te has been 'tapped up'


Allardyce feels Vaz Te has been tapped up

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce is confident that wantaway striker Ricardo Vaz Te has been illegally tapped up following his transfer request.

The experienced manager believes that the timing of the player's transfer request points to illegal tapping up but is willing to let the Portuguese forward leave provided the offer is fair.


If anybody's going to leave now it'll be Vaz," he said. "You don't keep anybody that doesn't want to stay. If a club comes in to make the right offer for him we'll be more than happy to accommodate the transfer request he's given us.


"Generally when you make (a statement) like that, they've been tapped up. Someone would've probably already contacted him.


"I am expecting a bid for him in the next couple of days because you don't do that sort of thing this late in the transfer window.


"I would expect in the next couple of days we will have an inquiry. If not he's put himself in a difficult position having said what he's said if he doesn't have another club lined up."


However, Allardyce insists that nothing is beyond repair and he is still willing to give the former Bolton winger another chance should he decide to stay.


"Nothing is beyond repair with me," he added. "20 years ago, 18 years ago, he'd probably never kick a ball again. In today's world of football and me being a bit more mature and mellow, I'm always ready to give someone a second chance.


"At this moment in time if he wants to leave he can. There's no problem with that. The club who wants him will have to pay a fair price we consider is right. He won't just leave the club because he wants to."