Hammers spurn Portsmouth bid for Carrick

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2004

LONDON (AFP) — First division West Ham have turned down a 2.5-million-pound bid by Portsmouth for Michael Carrick as "unacceptable".

Fine details in the financial package offered by Premiership team Portsmouth are believed to be the only sticking points that remain and Carrick, 23, could be a Pompey player by the end of the week.

"It is a lot of money but quality costs a lot of money," said Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric.

"The fact that we are prepared to break our transfer fee record to get Michael Carrick shows the direction in which this club is still moving."

Mandaric also expressed the club's interest in Blackburn striker Dwight Yorke.

Rovers are reported to have turned down a 400,000-pound bid for their 32-year-old forward but...