DI CANIO SURPRISED BY IRONS SNUB
Di Canio, who many view as a possible long-term replacement for Glenn Roeder, despite a recent upturn in form from The Hammers, has told Icons.com that he is keen to settle his future.
"My agent asked West Ham if they would give me an extension to my current deal. They declined, said the outspoken striker.
"This is very strange. I've proved my worth to this club time and time again."
West Ham had already reacted with surprise to agent Moreno Roggi's earlier statement in the press earlier in the week, but Di Canio insists that he is upset by the situation.
"So why can't I have an extension to my contract? I know players like Gianfranco Zola and Teddy Sheringham, who are both older than me, have been given longer deals, so this does happen.
"I'm not asking for £10 million a year or anything greedy at all. I'm just asking for the club to show me some respect by sitting down to discuss their plans for me because I want to stay at this club for the rest of my career.
"It's time West Ham told the fans whether I'm part of their future plans or not.
"I hope the club aren't planning to keep me here just for the remaining part of the season only because they fear a backlash from the fans if they sold me.
"I want to assure the fans I want to stay and also want to be involved at West Ham once my playing days are over, perhaps as a coach.
"But first, I need an honest answer from the club about their plans for me - whether they want me to stay with them."
Sunderland are believed to be waiting in the wings with an offer for the mercurial former Sheffield Wednesday star, but Di Canio wants to stay loyal.
"My skill and ability is beyond question but I'm also a total professional," added Di Canio
"I train hard and make sure I stay as fit as a player much younger than I am.
"I work for the club 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I live to give my all to West Ham and to earn the right to wear the famous claret and blue shirt, which has become my second skin.
"I think I can have a good influence on younger players here, I always have time to talk to them and offer help and encouragement.
"I never want to leave West Ham. If I wanted to leave, I would have taken up the interest shown in me by a number of clubs in the past, including Manchester United, Chelsea and Lazio.
"Instead, I've stayed loyal to West Ham - the club I love."
West Ham managing director Paul Aldridge had responded to the agent's assertion that a deal had been snubbed with surprise, telling the club's official site.
"I am very surprised to read these comments from Paolo's agent so soon after a new contract was agreed," said Aldridge to whufc.co.uk.
"The fact of the matter is, discussions were ongoing last season about a new deal, and finalised at the end of it.
"He signed a contract in the summer, the best that has been offered to a West Ham player, and it still has 18 months to run."
"I spoke to Moreno's son Mattel on Wednesday, as he had asked to come to the Chelsea game.
"I was showing him round the new Dr. Martens stand, we had a coffee together, and spoke about a number of things.
"He asked if we would be interested in extending Paolo's contract, and my initial reaction was that it would be inappropriate at this stage without speaking to Glenn and the board.
"Paolo himself has not mentioned anything to either Glenn or myself, and that remains the case."
WEST HAM
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