Hammers in late surge to snatch Super Hooper

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling on Twitter

West Ham are poised to snatch Gary Hooper away from under the noses of Norwich and QPR, according to the Scottish Sun this evening.

Hoops boss Neil Lennon this afternoon resigned himself to losing his prized asset, telling the Daily Mail that he believed it would be 'hard' for him to convince Hooper to stay at Parkhead and that he doesn't 'know where his [Hooper's] head is at.'

The striker had looked set to join either big spending Norwich or Championship side QPR but Hammers boss Sam Allardyce, who has thus far distanced himself from any of the transfer talk surrounding the former Scunthorpe man, is said to be plotting a late bid, with QPR having made an improved offer for Hooper last night.

Celtic step up Saviola chase as Hooper exit looms

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling on Twitter

West Ham will face stiff competition to sign Javier Saviola as Celtic boss Neil Lennon looks to replace Gary Hooper, seemingly bound for either Norwich or QPR.

The Glasgow side are keen to replace Hooper as soon as possible, with a Champions league qualifier against Cliftonville looming large on and are ready to make a move for free agent Saviola, with the former Scunthorpe star likely to leave by the end of the week, according to Lennon.

Lennon today said on the Hooper situation: "It will be difficult to convince Gary to stay. I don't know where his mind is at the minute- has he played his last game for Celtic? Never say never but it's looking more and more that way."