That £75 Million Transfer Kitty Was Just A Ruse! Spend Continues!

Some of the definitions of ruse are, a ploy, stratagem, tactic, move, device, scheme, trick, gambit, cunning plan, manoeuvre, contrivance, expedient, dodge, subterfuge, machination, game, wile, smokescreen or red herring. When Manuel Pellegrini was unveiled as West Ham United's new manager he, along with newly appointed head of recruitment Mario Husillos, were ostensibly given a £75 Million 'war chest' that in today's market was more of a transfer kitty. For once Hammers seem to have conducted their player recruitment incredibly well with the sigings of Ryan Fredericks, Lukasz Fabianski, Issa Diop, Jack Wilshere, Andriy Yarmolenko and Fabian Balbuena in addition to the 'marquee' signing of Felipe Anderson that was officially confirmed today (sunday 15.06.2018).

Two immediate points of interest are that (a) David Sullivan and the rest of the West Ham hierarchy kept their mouths shut, eschewing the publicity that they surely craved for finally having started to fulfill their promises made when migrating to the London Stadium, this 'radio silence' must have been difficult to maintain so fair play to them. The second more salient point (b) is that there have been some shrewd manoeuvres carried out with regards to the 'actual' budget available for player transfers, the original £75 Million budget mooted to be available set a bench mark for negotiations, clubs knew what West Ham could or could not afford and therefore conducted their negotiations with the overall budget in mind.

Had West Ham announced that they were giving Manuel Pellegrini £100 Million, clubs would have adjusted their asking prices accordingly, so in what was a simple but very effective ploy Hammers were able to keep the lid on the fact that they had already made contingency plans for a short term loan enabling them to keep spending when it would seem numerically impossible. The short term 'loan' facility will enable the club to hold on to players that Manuel Pellegrini might want to retain, as opposed to having to shift them out in order to balance the books straight away. A further bonus is that West Ham will be able to hold out for the best price possible when selling players during this window, they will also be able to keep some players at the club until the January transfer window when a premium can be obtained by selling to clubs that are in desperate need of reinforcements to avoid relegation.

There are at least two more signings in the pipe line which would mean a total of NINE new players having arrived at the club, the spending will edge towards an eye watering £125 Million by the time all the intended business is complete. What about financial fare play rules many fans will ask? So long as the spend against income ratio is maintained over the course of the financial year there should be no issues, the £50 Million shortfall can be made up with player sales, but who and for how much?

It may be unfair judging a player on just one game, but Robert Snodgrass didn't do himself any favours during the friendly with Wycombe and El Pel's body language seemed to show that he had seen enough. How much could the club get back for a player they spent over £10 Million on 18 Months ago? Well with the ludicrous value of home grown players escalating all of the time a figure of £8 Million shouldn't be too hard to achieve. Cheikou Kouyate is the next name on the chopping block, the Senegal national team captain's place in the centre of the park will come under increased scrutiny especially given the arrival of Isso Diop and Fabian Balbuena. There would be plenty of takers for Kouyate and a fee of £15 Million wouldn't be unattainable, it remains to be seen if Pellegrii 'fancies' Kouyate or not, much depends on what formation the Chilean eventually chooses to use. Michail Antonio is the next 'high' profile first team member who there have been rumours is wanted, in his case Crystal palace have emerged as favourites to sign the mitcham born 'utility' player. Antonio has really suffered with injury, particularly his hamstrings which may put potential suitors off, some of his injuries may have been as a result of having to play as a right back when Slaven Billic was still manager, Antonio used to look dead on his feet half way through the first half! He is though the type player tha Pellegrini likes so he may well decide to retain his services, but if he did want to sell Antonio then a price of £15 Million to £20 Million would not be too extreme.

The above listed player sales would yield £43 Million, just about what it will take to balance the books, but strength in depth has been non existent in the past and if West Ham are finally really going to reach the 'next level' then a careful balancing act will have to be conducted. In the short term West Ham fans should only enjoy the rareified air of a successful transfer window conducted without decption and with plenty of time for the new players to integrate, this can't be West Ham can it? - Ed