Nani: Mutu’s Hammers link hogwash
Speculation has been rife that Mutu is set for a return to London
with the Hammers poised to make an audacious bid for the former
Chelsea player. The Romania international’s agent claims a January
move is not out of question but Nani has dismissed the reports
outright. “I would like to talk about serious things,” Nani told
Violanews.com. “I prefer not to say anything about Mutu. “It’s all
rubbish. I’m saddened by all these voices which insist there’s a
deal. “There’s little respect and that’s not right.” Mutu is in his
fourth season at Fiorentina where he has scored 58 goals in 117
matches. The 30-year-old has had a troubled past few months as he
battles against the 17million euro fine he has been ordered to pay
Chelsea, although there is a glimmer of hope after the fine was
temporarily suspended by the Swiss Federal Court. Mutu cost the
Blues £15million in 2003 but was sacked a year later after he
tested positive for cocaine, and was given a seven-month worldwide
football ban. After being axed by Chelsea and serving his ban, the
Romanian joined Juventus in January 2005 before moving to
Fiorentina at the end of the following season. Mutu has become one
of La Viola’s key players and scored 13 goals in 19 games last
campaign as he and Alberto Gilardino formed one of Serie A’s most
formidable partnerships. In Tuesday’s Daily Mirror, his
representative Giovanni Becali is quoted as saying: “I can’t rule
out the possibility of Mutu leaving in January. “He just needs to
recover and play. Then we will see in January if any offers come
in. “Mutu is happy at Fiorentina and has a long contract that will
be respected. “His main problem is the fine that, in one way or
another, we have to resolve.”