Dyer poised to bank £12m from transfer

By Elvin King

FORMER Westbourne School pupil Kieron Dyer is set to bank a massive £12million after reportedly finalising a transfer from Newcastle United to West Ham.

Brought up a goal kick away from Portman Road in the terraced streets between London Road and Handford Road, Dyer has got his wish of being nearer his family that still lives in Ipswich.

Dyer, who recently had eggs thrown at his house by disgruntled Newcastle fans, is reported in the national press today to be ready to sign a deal that will earn him £80,000 a week over the next three years.

The player - who will link up with two of his former youth team-mates from Whitton Sports (later known as The Hollies) team Richard Wright and Matthew Upson at Upton Park - had his car damaged as he left St James' Park after Newcastle's 2-0 win over Juventus on Sunday.

Dyer joined Ipswich Town straight from school while living in Dillwyn Street and was sold to Newcastle for £6.5million in July 1999 when Ruud Gullit was in charge at St James' Park.

The Blues will receive no sell-on fee as the deal was 20 per cent of any profit Newcastle made out of the England international midfielder.

Last night Newcastle United lowered their £8m valuation and the transfer was on with West Ham ready to pounce.

Toon boss Sam Allardyce said: “We're sad to see Kieron leave but I have always said the best way to resolve the situation was for someone to make an acceptable offer for him - I believe £4m was a gross under-valuation for the player.”

Dyer split Magpies fans during his time on Tyneside.

For many, he failed to live up to his glowing reputation.

Injuries decimated his stay, with a long-term hamstring problem playing havoc with his hopes of being an England regular.

With two children living in Ipswich, Dyer made known his desire to move south, and now he appears to have his chance - and to swell his already sizeable bank balance.