Pardew offers apology to Dowie

West Ham manager Alan Pardew has apologised to Iain Dowie for revealing that Crystal Palace striker Andrew Johnson features on his wanted list.

Pardew is in the market for a “top-quality striker” and confirmed he would be interested in signing Johnson should Palace make the England international available in the January transfer window.

Dowie took exception to Pardew’s comments and said: “I’m surprised West Ham have come out and said they’re interested when they haven’t spoken to me first.

“I would never say I was interested in a player if I hadn’t spoken to his manager. But AJ won’t be leaving during the transfer window. I’ve had a discussion with (chairman) Simon Jordan, and AJ won’t be going in January – end of story.”

Pardew, an old friend of Dowie’s, conceded he should not have mentioned Johnson by name.

But the Hammers boss was also quick to stress he remains firmly in the hunt for a new striker.

The possibility of taking Barcelona’s Maxi Lopez has “died” and Pardew wants to increase his options up front in the new year.

“There are lots of names being thrown at me every week and this was just a misunderstanding,” said Pardew.

“I got asked a question – would I be interested in Andrew Johnson?

“I said I would be interested in any quality player who becomes available in the window.

“I did make a mistake in mentioning Andrew Johnson’s name – which I shouldn’t have and I apologise to Iain and everyone at Palace if I have upset them.

“I know Iain very well and I certainly don’t want to upset or disrupt his plans for the season.

“But at the same token I am looking to make West Ham a better team.

“Everyone knows I am in the market and with the very, very good base I have got here I am only looking for top quality now.

“Bobby Zamora, Teddy Sheringham and Marlon Harewood have all been terrific for us this season. It is a great trio for us and it will be hard to find someone better than that.

“We are just interested in a player that becomes available, whoever that may be.”

That may well still include Johnson, who scored 21 goals for Palace last year and handed in a transfer request after the club lost their battle against relegation.

But after Palace rejected bids from Tottenham and Everton Johnson signed a new five-year deal at Selhurst Park.

That is likely to make him a more expensive option for Pardew than the other strikers West Ham are keeping tabs on, like Porto’s Benni McCarthy and Brondby’s Johan Elmander.

It seems Lopez is no longer interested in a move to West Ham. Pardew conceded last week it would be a long shot because Primera Liga sides Real Betis and Mallorca were also interested.

“I think Maxi has probably gone away. There was lots of information coming our way that he wanted to join us but that has died recently,” said Pardew.