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Hammers recent transfer activity, or lack of it as some fans perceive, has taken on an entirely new dynamic of late although it may not seem obvious to those not within the club's inner sanctum. New 2nd highest share owner Daniel Kretinsky's arrival was heralded by many as the 'start of something special', unfortunately as with many 'special events' of the past at the club the much heralded fireworks ended up as a damp squib!

One of the joys of travelling to West Ham United's Stadium in Stratford is that it is possible to stop off and have a beer and a bite to eat at the side of the canal on the way to the ground, especially during the summer months. The journey there is one thing, full of expectancy and hope, the journey back depends entirely on the result and so today's return journey was hardly a joyous occasion!

West Ham: Fabianski, Johnson, Cresswell, Zouma, Coufal, Soucek, Rice, Lanzini, Fornals, Bowen, Antonio Subs: Areola, Randolph, Scamacca, Vlasic, Downes, Benrahma, Coventry, Okoflex, Ashby
City: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Cancelo, Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne, Grealish, Haaland, Foden Subs: Ortega, Phillips, Stones, Alvarez, Silva, Mahrez, Palmer, Lewis, Wilson-Esbrand

What is it with big tall 6'4" or 6'5" French defenders and midfielders of African descent? There is a spate of them and then, just like Policemen and Busses, there are none around when you really need them! Well true to form just as Hammers midfield target Amadou 'another one' Onana gets snaffled by rampant inflationists Everton, a similarly 'statuesque' tall French defender has emerged in the form of PSV Eindhoven's Ibrahim Sangare.

If you wondered why on earth a 20 year old would turn down a £65,000 basic wage rising to £100,000 per week from a relatively high profile club playing in the most competitive league in the World and in a massive stadium, then look no further than family!

Authur Masuaku has joined Turkish side Besiktas on a season's loan with an option to buy, Hammers will be payng 50% of 'King' Authur's wages. Masuaku's exit has intensified Hammers search for a replacement and the club
have reignited their interest in Burnley's versatile winger Maxwel Cornet after growing frustrated with their pursuit of Frankfurt's Filip Kostic.

According to a raft of media sources including the BBC, West Ham have had a bid of between £28-40 Million depending on which source you care to use accepted by Lille for Amadou Onana.

The numbers involved in the deal for the 6'5" 20 year old midfielder are staggering for several reasons, so let's extrapolate the details. As recently as the end of May of this year Onana was valued at around £9 Million by Transfer market and listed as earning as little as £5,500 per week.

RC Lens: TBC
West Ham: Fabianski, Coufal, Zouma, Dawson, Johnson, Rice (c), Soucek, Benrahma, Fornals, Masuaku, Bowen Subs: Areola (GK), Randolph (GK), Ashby, Coventry, Downes, Lanzini, Vlasic, Mubama

Much attention has been given to David Moyes' Red Bull blue print for taking West Ham forward as a club that can genuinely look to upset the established order by challenging for a top six spot on a regular basis and be there ready to pounce should another 'elite' club slip up!

"You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you'll find you get what you need!" so sang Mick Jagger and recently Hammers fans have been waking up to the dawn of a new West Ham transfer reality, with the club actually achieving what they set out to do! The injury to Nayef Aguerd was a big set back. but the 'flow' of players coming in has become something of a torrent since the initial 'tepid' toe dipping when the transfer window opened.