• West Ham could 'have stability for two or three years'• Power in the transfer market may be boostedGianfranco Zola believes the imminent change of ownership at West Ham is a "positive thing" that means the club will "have some stability for two or three years".The club's current owner, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, has amassed personal liabilities of £301m and could face losing his home, but by the end of the month West Ham are set to pass into the hands of a group of Gudmundson's creditors, led by the Icelandic bank Straumur. Zola believes this move will strengthen his power in the transfer market."All I know is that it will be a benefit for the club because we're going to have some stability for two or three years," said Zola. "That guarantees us to carry on doing our job. I see it as a positive thing, so everything is under control."The Italian said he has always been confident that the club's financial worries would not impinge on his job, which is why he last month signed a contract extension that should keep him at West Ham until 2013. The club is already committed to paying €3m (£2.6m) this summer to complete the permanent signing of Hérita Ilunga from Toulouse, the left-back who has impressed since coming to London on loan at the start of the season, and Zola said he expects to be able to make more signings in the summer and is under no pressure to sell first."It's looking very well for the club," he said. "We might have the possibility to buy some players and also to be in a situation where we can really look forward with a very positive perspective."I don't want to talk about [transfer targets] yet because a lot depends on the players that we have already got. Some of them are developing very well so that may change our targets for the next year. Also it will depend on whether we achieve a European spot. And don't forget that Dean Ashton should be back for us next season and he could be a really big player for us."West Ham are currently seventh in the Premier League, a position that would be good enough to seal qualification for next season's Europa League, and Zola reckons four points from the last three matches of this season would be enough to cement that place. "But we will go for nine points, of course; that is always our approach."West Ham Unitedguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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