West Ham United have complained to the Premier League over claims Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen tapped up Ravel Morrison, according to the BBC. Morrison worked with Meulensteen during the duo's time together at Manchester United, when the Dutchman was assistant manager to Sir Alex Ferguson. And, with just 18 months left to run on the midfielder's current deal at Upton Park, and speculation mounting over his future, Meulensteen said:
"Yes, I think he does want to come ."
These comments have angered Fulham, who have now put their case to the Premier League, reports claim. Meulensteen has made no secret of his interest in signing Morrison recently, and has revealed Fulham have put a bid in, saying after his side beat Norwich 3-0 in an FA Cup replay on Tuesday:
"We have put in a bid that has been knocked back. "He would add pace, power, unpredictability and a real attacking threat."
The Cottagers boss refused to say whether any deal for Morrison could be struck before the closure of the transfer window at the end of January.
"We got knocked back, it got rejected, and so we need to review it and move on. "I've explained how I think about the situation , so we'll have to wait and see what happens."
West Ham's complaint is likely to revolve around Premier League ruling T.8, concerning "statements made publicly by or on behalf of a club expressing interest in acquiring the registration of a contract player". If the Premier League agree that Fulham are in breach of the rule, Meulensteen's side could be reprimanded or hit with a club fine. Morrison has scored five times in 20 appearances since moving to Upton Park from United two years ago.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
