WEST HAM boss Gianfranco Zola admits he has lost respect for Eidur Gudjohnsen after the Iceland forward chose to snub the Hammers at the 11th hour in favour of a switch to Tottenham.

After holding talks with Zola, Gudjohnsen is believed to have agreed terms on a loan move to Upton Park and undergone a medical before Spurs swooped late to secure his signature.

The normally placid Zola could not hide his disgust at the actions of Gudjohnsen, who played alongside the Italian at Chelsea between 2000 and 2003, and admitted he had been let down by the player.

‘‘I am disappointed with Spurs and disappointed with Gudjohnsen. I was expecting good behaviour from him,’’ Zola said.

‘‘They keep telling me that football has got like this right now and I keep saying that when I’m dealing with people, I always expect for the people that I have got in front me to behave in a certain way – with respect.

‘‘Okay, that wasn’t the case here. But we move on. We have a lot of things to achieve here this season and we can still achieve them anyway.’’ Zola has made the signing of at least one striker his priority as the January transfer window draws to a close.

Gudjohnsen, who completed his move to Spurs yesterday, has been scrubbed off Zola’s wish-list but West Ham are very close to confirming the acquisition of Benni Mc- Carthy from Blackburn.

The South Africa international wants more game time ahead of this summer’s World Cup and Zola is willing to give it to him.

‘‘The deal is not done yet but it’s very close,’’ the former Italy forward added.

‘‘He is a player who will fit in with our philosophy very much. Hopefully it will be all right.’’