West Ham United have slammed reports of an £8 million bid from
Fulham for Frederic Kanoute as ''laughable''.
Reacting to the news today that the newly-promoted Cottages have tabled an offer for the 23-year-old French striker, Hammers' MD Paul Aldridge told the official Club website: 'I'm on holiday in Spain, just a phone call away, but I've not had any contact from Fulham about Fredi.
''We've not heard anything from Fredi about him being unhappy here either.
''As for their reported bid of £8m, that's laughable. We've already turned down offers well in excess of that figure, and Fredi's agent himself has told us before that he could deliver more than £11m for Fredi if we were ever prepared to consider selling him, which of course we're not.''
West Ham turned down a previous offer for Kanoute from Premiership rivals Aston Villa, while Chelsea and Glasgow Rangers were also closely linked with the French Under-21 international.
But Aldridge insists the East London club has no intention of losing Kanoute, who cost £3.6m from French club Olympique Lyon a year ago, without a big fight.
''He's not for sale,'' continues Paul, ''and we've made it clear that we see Fredi as part of our future.''
Kanoute has, however, told Sky Sports today that he would like the opportunity to be reunited with his fellow countryman, Jean Tigana, across West London.
Fredi says:''I have to admit that I'd like to play for them - I like the way they play.
''I know their coach, Jean Tigana, very well because he used to train the team at Lyon when I was younger. I like the way he works. Fulham is a club where I know I will feel good.
''It's not that things are not good at West Ham. But things have changed. Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard have gone and I think I have to do something else, too.''
Reacting to the news today that the newly-promoted Cottages have tabled an offer for the 23-year-old French striker, Hammers' MD Paul Aldridge told the official Club website: 'I'm on holiday in Spain, just a phone call away, but I've not had any contact from Fulham about Fredi.
''We've not heard anything from Fredi about him being unhappy here either.
''As for their reported bid of £8m, that's laughable. We've already turned down offers well in excess of that figure, and Fredi's agent himself has told us before that he could deliver more than £11m for Fredi if we were ever prepared to consider selling him, which of course we're not.''
West Ham turned down a previous offer for Kanoute from Premiership rivals Aston Villa, while Chelsea and Glasgow Rangers were also closely linked with the French Under-21 international.
But Aldridge insists the East London club has no intention of losing Kanoute, who cost £3.6m from French club Olympique Lyon a year ago, without a big fight.
''He's not for sale,'' continues Paul, ''and we've made it clear that we see Fredi as part of our future.''
Kanoute has, however, told Sky Sports today that he would like the opportunity to be reunited with his fellow countryman, Jean Tigana, across West London.
Fredi says:''I have to admit that I'd like to play for them - I like the way they play.
''I know their coach, Jean Tigana, very well because he used to train the team at Lyon when I was younger. I like the way he works. Fulham is a club where I know I will feel good.
''It's not that things are not good at West Ham. But things have changed. Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard have gone and I think I have to do something else, too.''