Egg cracks after Bent snub

Chairman Eggert Magnusson has revealed his despair at the 11th-hour collapse of Darren Bent's £17million transfer to West Ham.

The England striker looked set to become the ambitious club's biggest ever signing when current employers Charlton accepted the Hammers bid, which would have seen Hayden Mullins going to The Valley. But Bent decided against a move to Upton Park - a decision which appears to put Tottenham in pole position for his signature - and infuriated Magnusson in the process.

"The whole situation left me very frustrated," he said in The Sun. "We were so close to signing Darren and thought everything was in place to conclude what would have been the biggest transfer in West Ham's history."

He added: "I was really looking forward to making an announcement to our fans as we continue our plans to take this club forward and challenge the best teams in England.

"West Ham acted in good faith in discussions throughout with Charlton, the player and his representatives.

"The deal we put in place seemed to work for everybody concerned. Throughout the negotiations all the signs were positive. Therefore I was surprised when I learned Darren had decided not to join us.

"I feel let down and disappointed. But it is time to move on."