Dyer seemed set for a switch to Upton Park after the Hammers had agreed a fee - believed to be $15million - for the England midfielder.

But Curbishley insisted the deal was now "definitely off" to his great frustration.

He said: "We made an offer, had it accepted, agreed personal terms and the player passed a medical but it was pulled at the 11th hour by Newcastle and there's not much we can do about that.

"It has never happened to me before. We are disappointed and the player is very disappointed but it's definitely off."

It remains unclear whether Newcastle had asked West Ham for more money after the London club had been promised $5million in the settlement over Carlos Tevez or whether a higher offer had then come in for Dyer.

Curbishley, who saw his side come back from behind to defeat Roma 2-1 at Upton Park in the final pre-season friendly, also insisted the Hammers had made efforts to keep Tevez.

He said: "I'm disappointed he didn't want to come back to us. We tried but he decided his future is elsewhere. So all I can say is thanks for what he did.

"I don't believe he was the only player here last year but obviously had a big say in things.

"He knew we were keen for him to stay, but once Manchester United came in he decided his future was elsewhere."

Substitute Dean Ashton netted a 68-minute winner against the Serie A side who fielded Francesco Totti among other well-known names, after George McCartney's header had cancelled out Ludovic Giuly's first-half opener.

Ashton had been sidelined for a year after suffering an injury during an England training session but looked fighting fit by brushing past defender Max Tonetto and beating the goalkeeper with ease.

Curbishley said: "He must be so happy the way it's going for him. It has been a long year for him but he now comes in on Monday morning and says 'I have thrown a marker down, it's up to you to decide whether you are going to pick me'."

Summer signing Scott Parker is described as only 50-50 to make the opening day clash with Manchester City next week.

Curbishley said: "I was expecting him back by now but if he doesn't make the first game he should be OK for the second."