Last Updated: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:33
West Ham have lost the race to capture veteran Argentine playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme after he signed a new deal at Boca Juniors.
The Hammers were heavily linked with a swoop for the former Barcelona and Villarreal playmaker but the 32-year-old has now agreed to remain in Buenos Aires after Boca agreed to hand him a four-year-contract.
West Ham boss Avram Grant is eager to bolster his midfield ahead of the new season and will now looks elsewhere for a creative force in the middle of the park, while the club remain desperate to keep hold of Scott Parker after turning down a bid from Spurs.