Irons Short List Down To French Based 3

With the clock ticking down ever closer to the end of the transfer window there is always a feeding frenzy over players destinations and where clubs are doing their 'shopping', well it appears that Hammers have decided to do their business as close to home as possible for a club shopping in the non domestic market, namely in France.

Although even that statement is ambiguous because, although based in France, one of Hammers principal transfer targets Bamba Dieng is currently at the AFCON tournament representing Senegal who play their 1/4 final against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.

Obviously the logistics for signing Dieng before the window closes are mind boggling, but NOT insurmountable, given that he will be available for just under €10 Million from Marseille, Hammers might just have to bite the bullet from a fitness point of view in order to get the deal over the line at what is a bargain price for a player of Bamba's potential.

Much also depends on whether Hammers ARE trying to do the 'double' deal that has been mooted, whereby they would acquire the highly rated and long coveted centre back Duje Caleta-Car in addition to Bamba Dieng. Hammers want to get the players on a loan to buy basis, but Mareille are having none of it, however such is their financial plight they WILL listen to a 'reasonable CASH offer' to take both players during this window.

The third of 'les trois Amis' is Reims’ highly rated, but incredibly over priced 19 year old, Hugo Ekitike. His sudden hike in price from is no doubt due to the 'Toon factor', bit by bit they are destroying this transfer window with their over the top bids! Ekitike's value rose €3 Million between September and December 2021 to €6 Million, but from December to January 2022 it has gone up from €6 Million to an eye watering €30 Million!

€30 Million is way too rich a fee for Hammers to pay, but it is thought that there IS room for manoeuvre which might include a mammoth sell on clause believed to be higher than 20% AND realistic add ons that are based on achievable targets.

We firmly expect at least ONE of the above mentioned players to be signed within this window, we are betting on that player to be.... drum roll...Bamba Dieng! As he is currently located in Cameroon, sceptical fans will think it also gives the club a chance to say "we tried, but just couldn't get it over the line in time"

We shall see! - ED