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West Ham United's pursuit of Felipe Anderson last season was a departure from the club's usual way of doing business, the reason being that the negotiations were conducted in 'private' by Mario Husillos and Manuel Pellegrini. The deal took a long tome to get over the line, and indeed seemed like it would never happen on numerous occasions, but eventually the pair's determination to get their man paid off handsomely.

Maxi Gomez is Spanish club Celta Vigo's prize asset, and as such it is only to be expected that they will play hard ball when it comes to the player's sale, however Celta's insistence that the full release value of £42 Million be paid has put the brakes on two of his previous suitors moving for the talented Uruguayan.

Having been 'linked' with a combined total of in excess of £140 Million for players other clubs seek to prise from the club, West Ham United have also been 'linked' with bringing in just about every player with a pulse that is available, or unavailable as the case may be. The column inches surrounding Manchester United and approaches for both Declan Rice and Issa Diop are full and far, possibly due to a misogynistic male lack of reporting of the Women's World Cup.

While there is optimism about the latest group of players to emerge from the club's 'famous academy', that cannot be said for the preceding group, yet another of that 'generation' of players, Josh Pask, has left West Ham United. The 21 year old has signed a three year deal with Coventry City and has joined on a free contract, however it is believed there was a 20% sell on clause inserted in to the contract.

"They fly so high, nearly reach the Sky, then like my dreams......" If ever there was a more apt Football supporters song than Bubbles, particularly when referencing West Ham United, then we would like to hear what it is! For nigh on 60 years Hammers have struggled to replicate the team that 'won' the 1966 World Cup, won in Europe and won domestically, always failing in one way or another, well that's all about to change.

Hot on the heels of acquiring Villarreal star Pablo Fornals for £24 Million, West Ham United's as yet undisclosed but rumoured to be £31 Million bid for long term target Maxi Gomez has been accepted. Unfortunately for expectant Hammers fans a similar bid has also been accepted from Valencia, however the lure of the Barclays Premier League and the higher wages that the Irons are able to offer should see the deal over the line, but there are a couple of issues that will raise their ugly heads.

For a club supposedly struggling to generate transfer market funds, certain players have to be sold or released, West Ham United are doing a pretty good job of confounding critics and supporters in equal measure. The impending arrival of Villarreal star Pablo Fornals, one of the hottest young stars in Spain, for a fee of £24 Million has technically wiped out over half of the rumoured transfer kitty.

Saturday 10th August
PREMIER LEAGUE
West Ham United
12:30 Manchester City

Saturday 17th August
PREMIER LEAGUE
Brighton & Hove Albion
15:00 West Ham United

Saturday 24th August
PREMIER LEAGUE
Watford
15:00 West Ham United

Saturday 31st August
PREMIER LEAGUE
West Ham United
15:00 Norwich City

Saturday 14th September
PREMIER LEAGUE
Aston Villa
15:00 West Ham United

Saturday 21st September
PREMIER LEAGUE
West Ham United
15:00 Manchester United

Rumours that West Ham United were going to start the new Barclays Premier League season with an a away match at Watford due to some creative photoshopping of a supposed fixture list, have been firmly dispelled with the news that the Irons have been handed the poisoned chalice of a home game to start the season, against Manchester City at 12:30 on Saturday the 10th of August!

Rumours that West Ham are back in for Maxi Gomez may have emanated from Hammers contacting Celta Vigo about Gomez'z team mate Stanislav Lobokta, the 24 year old Slovakian midfielder, dubbed ‘the new Luka Modric', could be available for around €15-20 Million. Unfortunately any whimsical thoughts of a €60 Million double signing of both Gomez and Lobokta will have to remain a pipe dream, it appears pragmatism prevails, that is unless a 'big' name leaves the club of course.