Parker close to West Ham switch

Former Charlton star Scott Parker, seen here playing for current club Newcastle in 2005, is on the verge of completing a return to London with West Ham, sources close to the midfielder have said.

Former Charlton star Scott Parker is on the verge of completing a return to London with West Ham, sources close to the Newcastle midfielder said Thursday.

The Hammers appear to have beaten off late interest from Tottenham to secure a seven million pound deal for the combative midfielder.

West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury is believed to have been involved in late-night talks with Parker's representatives and sources close to the player say that Parker is set to meet with West Ham officials after the two clubs agreed a fee.

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley, the player's former boss at Charlton, sees Parker as a potential captain and the ideal replacement for current skipper Nigel Reo-Coker, who has handed in a transfer request.

Parker, who is celebrating the birth of his third child this week, is keen on a return to London where his family is based.

He made his England debut in 2003 while playing under Curbishley at Charlton before completing a 10 million pounds move to Chelsea in January 2004.

At the end of that season Parker was named the Professional Footballers Association's Young Player of the Year but first-team opportunities grew increasingly limited at Stamford Bridge.

He moved to Newcastle in the summer of 2005 for 6.5 million pounds and was appointed captain at the start of last season.

Newcastle's new manager Sam Allardyce is reported to be eyeing out-of-favour Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton as a potential replacement for Parker.