Having been initially underwhelmed by the season's transfer activity, West Ham United's board ironically now want incumbent manager David Moyes to 'buy british', their opinion especially that of 27% stakeholder Daniel Kretinsky, is that buying from abroad is more economical but the bedding in process for a raft of incoming non british players is too lengthy and that the club don't want to experience another relegation fight!
With this in mind it comes as no surprise to hear that West Ham United are planning to move for Leicester's Harvey Barnes after having decided in principle to retain manager David Moyes for the final year of his contract. The former Everton and Manchester boss is set to be backed in the transfer market this summer and a move for Barnes could be made at the same time as a deal for Fulham’s Portuguese international Joao Palhinha and Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse.
Picking the bones from relegated clubs is what 'successful' top flight clubs do, so there is NO reason Hammers shouldn't do the same. All three of the above would be welcome additions to a squad that will be bereft of a number of key players, the most glaring being Declan Rice! The brutal truth is that Hammers' summer signings did NOT live up to expectations for numerous reasons, ONLY Lucas Pacqueta, Thilo Kherer and Emerson have actually shone, the rest have either been injured or hardly used.
Buying from Europe has proved to be a non plus for the club, especially when it comes to strikers! So the perceived wisdom of the Board is that it is better to try and buy British players who can slot straight into the squad as opposed to those from other Leagues who take time to get used to the incredible physicality of the Premier League.
Barnes, Palhinha and Ward-Prowse will not be cheap, but they are 'ready made' for the Prem, there is always a 'brit' premium for home grown players, but it is there for a salient reason. Clubs don't want to be paying out huge sums in wages while players find their feet, if they can hit the ground running then the additional cost makes sense.
Of course as we have previously mentioned, Hammers eventual transfer policy will be dictated on the 7th of June in Prague at the "Con Cup' final against Fiorentina, win and the club NEEDS PREPARATION for a European campaign, a loss means a season of consolidation. A huge amount hangs on the eventual result at the Fortuna Stadium, but planning has to go ahead assuming both case scenarios.
Barnes, Palhinha and Ward-Prowse are decent targets that West Ham stand a realistic chance of acquiring, a lot depends on the 7th though. - Ed
Comments
Nev I think Palhinha has been
Nev I think Palhinha has been coverted by Man U, Liverpool and Spuds. So I wouldn't hold your breath on him. Ward Prowse is a very good fit for us, Barnes would be welcome aswell.
The most depressing thing
About this article is that it seems to be presuming that Moyes is staying. I see no real point in getting any of those players mentioned with him in charge as I reckon we have a pretty decent front line and midfield that with a forward, positive thinking manager could make a force to be reckoned with. Unfair to judge Scamacca but with a decent "number two" up with him he could be a real asset so maybe just another striker there as Antonio is now at best an impact sub and Ings was never, as have many other of Moyes players, been utilised to his full potential.
I wonder if Ivan Toney would be going cheap as he would be unavailable 'til January and the only other player I would really really like of the scrapps would be Maddison, but first we need a new manager!
The Sir Alex Model
I have said before that Ferguson IMO had the right idea, focus on buying the very best player from the previous season in the Prem regardless of nationality, allow other clubs to arrange the British settling in phase, no issue with language, schooling for kids, happy wife etc etc. We cant do that but we could for the Championship, get the best player in any position, I think it works. We have made mistakes when taking from the Championship, Sam Byron, Jordan Hugill etc both were not actually the best of their Championship generation and to be fair didnt get a real chance but thats typical of the Prem... its difficult!
Barnes would be a great fit but I don’t think the other two
will come to us for differing reasons. Paulinho will be looking for the likes of Spurs, United or Liverpool and besides would be way too expensive. As for Ward Price, it wouldn’t surprise me if he stayed at Southampton, his family are settled and he loves the club so might want to stay and try to get them back up next season. As for the manager well we will have to see because if they bring in a director of football and Moyes has to report to him plus we win the Conference League then I wouldn’t be surprised Moyes called it quits. He’s a control freak and wants to be the man that makes all the decisions so here’s hoping.
O/T
So there you have it,no fan zone at Stratford because of preparations for some baseball final!! Sullys 1 word response to any alternatives " no"....Our first euro final for 47 years,typical
Yes mate,i think the whole
Yes mate,i think the whole thing is rather flat dont you....We have no home pre season friendlies anymore like we used to,all about making money in other areas and other stuff.
Typical!
The man is a See You Next Tuesday!
Anyone
See the Roma fans inside their stadium being "allowed" to watch the europa final in their stadium? Note to sully.... passion comes before money if you're a proper fan!!
The Orbit
Andy Swallow is trying to organise big screen etc by the West Ham Supporters club in Stratford, seen on Facebook Tenerife Hammers, that would be the place to go, might be a ticketed even, check it out boys
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