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Hammers manager Manuel Pellgrini was forthright in his opinion when asked whether Declan Rice would be at the club when next season begins, he was quoted as saying that if a really substantial offer came in for the young West Ham star it would be his duty to put the terms to the club's hierarchy for consideration. Obviously the backlash from such a deal would be massive, but if the major rebuilding programme is to continue, serious funds need to be generated, and that isn't just a case of the chairmen dipping in to their pockets, FFP saw to that (probably much to their relief).

West Ham United have officially confirmed the departures of Andy Carroll, Adrian San Miguel and Samir Nasri, they join midfielders Moses Makasi and Noha Sylvestre and defenders Vashon Neufville and Josh Pask who will also depart, as will scholars Mason Barrett, Kevin Dalipi, Jay Mingi and Odysseas Spyridis.

'Two Up Top, Two In The Middle, Two At The Back' seems like a pretty simple Barclays Premier League manager's shopping list, a mighty expensive one though! Given current transfer prices those six positions could cost upwards of £150-200 Million to fill.

Perhaps a little more attention to impending rule changes might help fans understand West Ham United's transfer activity, or the lack of it. Manuel Pellegrini has told Sky Sports he has a dilemma over satisfying the homegrown player quota which could shape his transfer plans.

Danny Welbeck is leaving Arsenal at the end of the season when his contract expires and is available on a free transfer in a matter of days, the England striker has endured 'Carroll/Wilshere'sque luck with injuries during his time in north London, and Arsenal have now decided to cut their losses and let him go.

With the transfer gossip in overdrive West Ham United have been linked with just about every player that has a pulse! So probably the best way to sort the wheat from the chaff is by eliminating those players linked with a move to the London Stadium as and when their transfers are confirmed to other clubs.

Xherdan Shaqiri was available for a £13.5 Million transfer fee following Stoke City's relegation, however he didn't interest Manuel Pellegrini, he eventually signed for Liverpool where he initially fared well and looked a real bargain, but his waste line went up as his confidence level went down, he ended the season having only scored 6 times with 5 assists to his credit in 30 appearances.

News that David Martin, son of Hammers legend Alvin Martin, might be signed by West Ham as back up keeper has been greeted with 'shock horror' by a certain section of fans, why? Because he currently plays for Millwall, his contract is about to expire and he is available to make the move across the City to the London Stadium on a free transfer, so why on earth could there be an issue?

According to numerous news outlets West Ham United have been offered the chance to take Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman on loan from Marseille next season, OK so the headline question might appear rhetorical because initially only a loan deal is mentioned, however it is not beyond imagination to suggest the french club want to put Strootman in the shop window and to replicate the high profile that Dimitri Payet was accorded while playing for the Irons.

Speculation is always rife at the beginning of the transfer window, and despite only being a 'mid table' Barclays Premier League side, West Ham United still manage to receive an inordinate amount of press coverage. The club has been linked with just about every player who has a pulse! So who are the real targets and who are just part of the 'smoke and mirrors' syndrome that usually occurs around season ticket renewal time?