Premiership: Roeder’s fears over di Canio

Glenn Roeder admits it will be near impossible to dissuade Paolo di Canio from leaving West Ham for Manchester United if that is what the Italian striker wants to do.

The Hammers boss, who now says he is prepared to believe there is some substance in stories linking di Canio with an imminent big-money move north, accepts the lure of Old Trafford is irresistible to most players.

‘‘Manchester United are the one club in the world where it is difficult to convince a player he shouldn’t go - whether that’s a teenager or somebody in their 30s like Paolo,’’ he said.

‘‘Put yourself in his boots or if you had a son in the same situation. They are arguably the biggest club in the world.’’

Roeder is still hoping - for the good of his club - that the speculation will go away.

But, with di Canio promising he will be ‘‘having a lot to say’’ on the prospective transfer in the next few days, his current manager seems to have accepted he may have to just wait and see what happens.

‘‘I’m as much in the dark as anyone about this,’’ he said.

‘‘But the speculation has lasted so long, revving it up, which makes you think there is more to it than meets the eye - whereas, in pre-season, the speculation died down very quickly.

‘‘Every player can be bought if enough money is available, even David Beckham.’’