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Bradford City have completed a remarkable U-turn over Benito Carbone.

Benito Carbone: Not for sale

(LaurenceGriffiths/Allsport)

They have warned his Serie A admirers, as well as West Ham, that they will entertain no bids for the controversial Italian striker.

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New Upton Park manager Glenn Roeder has been linked with the intriguing possibility of restoring Carbone's old Sheffield Wednesday partnership with Paolo Di Canio, if Fulham prise 12million Freddie Kanoute away from West Ham.

There has also been behind-thescenes interest in Italy, led by Perugia, in luring former Inter Milan and Napoli forward Carbone away from his colourful English career and back home as he approaches his 30th birthday.

But relegated Bradford have suddenly put the block on Carbone leaving Valley Parade, little more than three months after they were prepared to allow Wednesday's former 3m signing to join Middlesbrough on a free transfer, just to save themselves his 40,000-a-week wages.

That March deadline-day deal fell through at the last minute over Carbone's terms, and now chairman Geoffrey Richmond says: 'If West Ham or anybody else come calling for Beni, they will be told that he is not available.

'He is a valued member of our squad and we have no wish nor need to sell him.'

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