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Ricardo Gardner turns down West Ham move

Carl Markham,Pa
Friday 17 June 2011 10:43 BST
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Midfielder Ricardo Gardner has turned down the chance to move to West Ham on a free transfer as he wants to remain at Bolton, according to the player's representative.

Officially the 32-year-old appeared on the Premier League's list of released players published yesterday as his contract at the Reebok Stadium had expired.

But despite the lure of linking up with former Bolton boss Sam Allardyce at Upton Park in the npower Championship, the Jamaican is considering a short-term deal offered to him by Wanderers.

"It was very tempting for Ricardo to go and play for Sam, as a former manager, and one he enjoyed a lot of success with," Gardner's representative Phil Graham told The Bolton News.

"But he didn't particularly want to relocate, and his family certainly didn't want to relocate.

"He loves the club and the town, and wants to see his career out at Bolton, and more importantly in the Premier League."

One player on the verge of leaving, however, is goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.

Press Association Sport understands Wigan - the club where he spent last season on loan - are close to matching Bolton's valuation in order to sign the Oman international permanently.

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