Dyer deal off - Curbishley

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley has revealed the club's attempt to sign Kieron Dyer has been blocked "at the 11th hour" by Newcastle.

Dyer seemed set for a switch to Upton Park after the Hammers had agreed a fee - believed to be £6million - for the England midfielder but Curbishley insisted the deal was now "definitely off" to his great frustration.

He said: "We made an offer, had it accepted, agreed personal terms and the player passed a medical but it was pulled at the 11th hour by Newcastle and there's not much we can do about that. It has never happened to me before. We are disappointed and the player is very disappointed but it's definitely off."

It remains unclear whether Newcastle had asked West Ham for more money after the London club had been promised £2million in the settlement over Carlos Tevez or whether a higher offer had then come in for Dyer.

Curbishley, who saw his side come back from behind to defeat Roma 2-1 at Upton Park in the final pre-season friendly, also insisted the Hammers had made efforts to keep Tevez.

He said: "I'm disappointed he didn't want to come back to us. We tried but he decided his future is elsewhere. So all I can say is thanks for what he did."