Hammers boss keen to keep midfielder (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Hammers boss keen to keep midfielder

1:50pm Thursday 29th July 2010 in

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WEST HAM boss Avram Grant has echoed co-owner David Sullivan's view that Scott Parker is a part of the team's long-term plans.

The Hammers chairman knocked back a reported £7million bid from Tottenham for the combative midfielder, who was named Hammer of the Year last season.

Sullivan insisted Parker was not for sale 'at any price' and is thought to have laid a new contract offer on the table believed to be worth in the region of £20m over five years.

Grant revealed the 29-year-old was a key part of his plans, in the wake of the team's 2-0 friendly victory over MK Dons last night.

“Scott Parker is a good player and a good professional. I'm sure if he was for sale the other teams would want him as well. But we are a team with ambition and we want progress,” said Grant.

“We want to plan to improve for the next few seasons and Scott Parker is a big part of this process. He is a very good player and has good influence on the young players.”