Finances Were Not In Place In January For Gomez Deal

Hindsight being the wonderful thing that it is has shown that West Ham would have fared far better in their sale of Marko Arnautovic had it been completed in January as opposed to now, however there are several points that need to be looked at, primarily the financing of the deal to sell Arnautovic and the finances that were available at the time to push through the purchase of main target Maxi Gomez from Celta Vigo.

It should also be remembered that Celta Vigo were unwilling to sell their star player while they were in the middle of a relegation battle, had they done so they would have insisted on the player's exit clause being PAID IN FULL, not only were they insistent on the £43.5 Million release clause being met but also that it would be paid in one lump, not instalments!

The next element to consider was the January bid made for Arnautovic wasn't the reported £35 Million, but £28-30 Million depending on the Euro to Pound transfer rates at the time, leaving a deficit of £15.5 Million to make up. This figure was not achievable under FFP due to the massive £95 Million the club had already spent last summer, now it is a new financial year moves can now be made, although it would not be good business practice to actually pay for all of Gomez's transfer up front Hammers are prepared to go the distance if they have to.

The impending departure of Javier Hernandez will also release the funds to bring in two back up strikers, now if only someone was stupid enough to buy Jordan Hugill it would be happy days at the London Stadium. - Ed