Bowyer in talks with Hammers

Lee Bowyer could be a West Ham player by the end of today.

The Leeds midfielder is meeting Hammers manager Glenn Roeder and managing director Paul Aldridge in London this afternoon in a bid to finalise personal terms after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.

Aldridge is keen to seal the transfer of the England midfielder today before heading abroad tomorrow on club business.

That means if personal terms are agreed with Bowyer, he will have a medical later this afternoon and then be unveiled by the Hammers tomorrow.

A spokesman for West Ham said: “Lee Bowyer is on his way to meet Glenn Roeder and Paul Aldridge this afternoon. There is no time scale on this but we hope that if all goes well, he will become a West Ham player.”

Roeder added: “We are trying to find a solution that will bring him to the club.”

A statement on the Leeds website, www.lufc.co.uk, confirmed: “Leeds United and Lee have agreed a schedule for the repayment of his outstanding legal fees. Lee will be having contract talks with West Ham later today.”

Hammers are desperate to boost their squad during the opening of the transfer window as they battle to climb off the bottom of the Premiership table and avoid relegation.

Roeder’s priority is to sign a striker as Paolo di Canio and Freddie Kanoute have long-term injuries, but the chance to sign a high-quality midfielder like Bowyer is too good to resist.

Bowyer, who would have been out of contract at Elland Road this summer, has turned down a new deal with Leeds.

Leeds agreed a fee with Liverpool for the England midfielder last summer but Reds manager Gerard Houllier had second thoughts and the move collapsed.

Birmingham last week admitted they had made enquiries about the former Charlton player’s availability, while Tottenham were also believed to have turned down the chance to sign Bowyer.

Legal bills arising from his much-publicised trials were believed to be a sticking point in any potential move. But Leeds confirmed they have agreed a plan for Bowyer to repay those bills if he returns to London.

The statement on the club website added: “Lee Bowyer has told Leeds United he will not sign the contract currently on offer to him at Leeds and would therefore be leaving the club this summer.

“In the light of these circumstances we have agreed to transfer Lee Bowyer to West Ham United for an undisclosed fee.”