http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/05/26/west-ham-accuse-steve-bruce-and-sunderland-of-illegal-demba-ba-a/Demba Ba has already emerged as one of West Ham's most wanted men since their relegation to the Championship - and Sunderland are in the dock after allegedly making their interest known.
West Ham have reported Sunderland to the Premier League for what they perceive as an illegal approach for the former Hoffenheim striker, claims that have been denied by the Black Cats.
The Hammers insist that Steve Bruce called Ba direct, which is deemed illegal by Premier League rules, while Niall Quinn, the Sunderland chairman, has also been accused of contacting Ba's brother Cire and an unlicensed agent representing him.
It is all very messy, and rather ironic considering that West Ham are a club that went behind Avram Grant's back to try and woo Martin O'Neill into taking charge back in January.
Bruce's case, however, has undoubtedly been damaged by recent quotes attributed to him before West Ham made their concerns public. Very public, in fact.
The Sunderland manager is alleged to have said: "My job is to knock on the owner's door again and keep improving us – and yes, he's one that we're looking at."
It is apparently a comment that was made after the game between the two sides on Sunday but it is undoubtedly the quote that will have kick-started West Ham's tapping up claims into gear.
It is also further proof of the bad blood that remains between Bruce and the West Ham board, with whom he worked at Birmingham and endured a stormy relationship, particularly towards the end of his time there.
The Premier League insist they will be investigating the matter. A Sunderland spokesman said: "Sunderland AFC is fully aware of the Premier League regulations pertaining to player recruitment.
"If we are interested in any player currently under contract with another club, we will speak directly to that club, in line with the regulations."
While they insist there is no case to answer this investigation could damage Bruce's attempts to sign the Senegal international and allow other clubs to move in. West Ham will want to sell Ba to anybody else but Sunderland now.
Everton, Stoke and West Brom are also interested and West Ham's hopes of keeping him in the Championship appear remote at best, laughable at worst.
It will be interesting to see how the Premier League deal with this. If they think managers telephoning players at other clubs doesn't happen regularly, they are living on another planet.
That doesn't make it right, but will Bruce be punished and held up as an example? There is no evidence to suggest he is guilty yet either.
The prospect of any Christmas cards being exchanged between him and the Gold brothers, David Sullivan and Karren Brady looks pretty doubtful, though.
