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.”