Pards: Big players not for sale

The transfer window slams shut at midnight tonight. Not a moment too soon for Alan Pardew and Charlton fans.

Nearly every half decent club with a bit of cash, and West Ham have been linked to Darren Bent. The young England man has had another fine season in the premiership despite being on the side lines of late with injury.

It is believed that West Ham are the latest club to have made an approach with an offer in the excess of £18 million.

Also the Hammers have failed with a £2.5 million bid for defender Hreidarsson. It seems Alan Curbishley is trying to unsettle our players by making the bids knowing that we and West Ham will battle for survival.

Pardew, though, re-iterated his position that such big players were crucial to the efforts of the club in our battle for top-flight survival.

'There have been so many rumours, with most of the players going to West Ham,' he said.

'But, on Hermann Hreidarsson and Darren Bent, I made the statement a week ago and I would like to think Charlton fans take me at my word.

'They are not going - and they are not going to go now.'

The Charlton manager admitted there could still be some movement within the rest of his squad before the transfer window closes at midnight on Wednesday.

Pardew said: 'Someone might offer you something which is attractive in terms of an inflated bid in this window, or also a deal where we get a player, or it helps a player who is not in the team here to get a fresh start.

'I never say never but, certainly, all of my key players are going to stay.'

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