More But(t)s Than Ifs...Laborde?

The dialogue associated with footie transfers is unique but short on originality, hence the transfer window 'slamming shut' in 11 days time instead of just being closed. Players are regularly 'linked to West Ham', about every striker with a pulse has been linked with West Ham of late and finally the big IF or BUT(T).

Unfortunately in West Ham's case, so far there have been more but(t)s than ifs, with neither heading being of satisfaction to fans. We know it is the transfer window and that all sorts of hyped statements get released, generally by agents looking to move their clients on in order to get their commision, after all, something has to pay for their flash new motors and Rolexes!

Hammers fall into the divide between ifs and but(t)s with aplomb, "we tried to buy the player BUT(T) our offer was declined and even IF we had offered more, the player wanted to stay at his club". Nothing wrong there, except why bid for a player who is happy where he is?

The only logical explanation is that there is a desire to mask transfer developments in secrecy, the problem is that agents do not operate within any code of conduct and actually regularly skirt the border between legal and illegal practises. It is in their interest to stir up conflict in order to destabilise the situation and get their client moved on, but it isn't always the best move for the player(s) or clubs that are involved.

At the Org we keep banging on about the 'gems' to be unearthed in the French Leagues and nothing has happened to change our minds, as the days tick by for the transfer window to close the increased activity will be palpable as clubs circle to pick up bargains from a League that has been totally devastated financially.

The 'perfect storm' of the Covid Pandemic allied to the failed TVrights deal has presented Barclays Premier League clubs with a very rare opportunity to 'clean up' when it comes to player acquisitions. The situation is only temporary however, the French government has reluctantly agreed to 'bail clubs out', but only if they adhere to rigid fiscal guidelines as originally the powers that be were heard to say (roughly translated) that clubs had behaved like children who had spent all their pocket money at the beginning of their holidays and wanted more from their parents without offering any logical reason as to why they should be the exception(s) to the rule!

Having 'explored' the rarely trodden Eastern European path via Slavia Prague and been rewarded with the purchase of Tomas Soucek and Vlad the impaler Coufal, isn't it about time Hammers explored the current fiscal loophole in France? It will surely not be the same next year or even by the next opening of the transfer window, time to strike while the Iron's still hot!

Montpellier striker Gaetan Laborde, who Hammers tentatively tried to sign back in January, has emerged as the latest player who's club are desperate to sell, so much so that they have withdrawn him from their recent fixtures so as not to jeopordise his sale. Although not a prolific goal scorer, he has all the physical attributes necessary for the rigours of the Barclays Premier League, maybe in this instance Laborde might actually not be either an IF or a But(t), but maybe an actual Yes, at 24 years old and available for around £10-11 Million it should be a no brainer, but who said brains were a prerequisite for 'sensible' transfer deals, especially those involving West Ham?- Ed