Behrami moves in as duo depart

17 July 2008

By JONATHAN CLEGG

LAZIO midfielder Valon Behrami will become West Ham's first major summer signing in the coming days to round off a week of frenzied transfer activity at Upton Park.

Behrami agreed personal terms with the Hammers on Tuesday just hours after the club confirmed the double departure of Bobby Zamora and John Pantsil to Fulham in a £6.3million deal.

The 23-year-old Switzerland international, who has been dubbed the Swiss David Beckham, has flown into London to undergo a medical after activating a clause allowing him to buy out the remainder of his current contract.

Lazio will be entitled to compensation and are seeking over £3million but West Ham are hoping to agree a fee of £1.5m for Behrami, who featured at right-back in all three of Switzerland's Euro 2008 matches.

Behrami's arrival will offset the departures of Zamora and Pantsil, who completed a joint switch to Craven Cottage this week.

Zamora departs Upton Park four years after signing from Tottenham while Ghana international Pantsil has spent just two seasons at the club.

Hammers chief executive Scott Duxbury revealed that both players faced limited first-team opportunities in the coming season.

"In view of the competition for places at the club and a lack of first-team opportunities likely in the new season, we recognised both players' wish for regular football," said Duxbury.

"Bobby Zamora played a significant part in the club securing promotion back in 2004/05 and his form and goals particularly in that Championship

season will not be forgotten."

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has also moved to strengthen his squad by agreeing deals to sign promising youngsters Balint Bajner and Filip Modelski this week.

Defender Modelski, who spent a week on trial with the Hammers last year, has chosen to move to Upton Park despite interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.

West Ham have agreed an undisclosed fee for the 16-year-old with Polish outfit Arka Gdynia, who revealed that the transfer was one of the most lucrative in the club's history.

Modelski will be joined in east London by Hungarian striker Bajner, who is set to sign from Romania's CF Liberty Oradea.

The 17-year-old also impressed on trial with the Hammers, scoring two goals in a friendly match in April.

Bajner is already a member of the Hungary Under-19 squad and is considered one of his country's most promising prospects.