The on-going Michael Carrick saga is nearing its end as Hammers boss Alan Pardew confirmed the midfielder was in talks with Tottenham Hotspur.

And he apologised to West Ham fans over the loss of another player to their bitter London rivals after the sales of Fredi Kanoute and Jermain Defoe.

"It's not something I'm comfortable with," he admitted. "Ultimately it's out of my hands.

"The bottom line is he wants to leave."

More on West Ham United atthe official site

Published Friday August 20, 2004

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