Eminike Having Medical As Complicated Deal Nears Fruition

Emmanuel Emenike is due to have a medical at the Spire Roding Hospital today ahead of his loan move to West Ham United, after Fenerbahce finally accepted West Ham's loan offer for the 28 year old Nigerian striker. Eminike had been on loan to Al Ain in Dubai from Fenerbahce, and one of the reasons for the delay in the transfer was that Al Ain had to 'un sign' the player on loan in order that he could be released to join up with Slaven Billic's Hammers chargers! Unfortunately since Emenike recently retired from International football, he does not automatically qualify for a work permit, and this is not a cut and dried process, so the move could still go a bit 'pete tong'. Crystal Palace and ex-West Ham manager nearly hijacked the deal, instead plumped for signing out of contract Emmanuel Adebayour, a player he had coveted ever since he tried to bring him to the Boleyn years ago. If all the difficulties can be surmounted, then Eminke would be a very welcome addition to the squad and could even be available for the home tie against Aston Villa on tuesday evening, his arrival would also give Billic the opportunity to expand his game plan along the fast counter attacking style he so obviously favours. Whether Eminike can hit the ground running in a similar way to Manuel Lanzini, who also played in the Arab League, is open for debate, but he is a far better option than some of the dross that has turned up at the Boleyn in the past during the transfer window. More battle hardened Hammers fans will be slightly wary of why Fenerbahce were (a) prepared to send Eminike out on loan to Al Ain in the first place, and (b) why they are prepared to now send the player out on loan to West Ham United ? - Ed