Is Allen Medical A Smoke Screen?

There is a story that has been going around the Associated Press office today that Joe Allen is 'due' for a medical at West Ham ahead of a £6 Million transfer from Stoke City, but before Hammers fans panic, there is apparently more than meets the eye with this transfer speculation.

Having had Gedson Fernandes 'poached' by the 'unoriginals' of North London, the Hammers hierarchy are trying to keep their cards close to their chests ahead of potential arrivals, not wishing to give any incentives for similar acts of 'sniping'. So given David Sullivan's connection with Joe Allen's agent, and the fact that Allen would be an 'economical' option people have incorrectly assumed Allen would be arriving at the London Stadium before the transfer window closes.

While being an admirer of Allen, David Moyes would prefer younger, hungrier recruits, with Allen approaching his 30th birthday he is no spring chicken, especially for a player who is supposed to be bolstering a midfield deprived of energy!

Moyes is believed to be far more interested in the likes of Sander Benge from Genk, or if the deal can be negotiated, 23 year old Ivory Coast international Franck Kessie from AC Milan. If, and of course it is a big IF, Kessie was signed, he would certainly provide a spark, he models himself on Chelsea's Kante and is a 'duracell bunny' when it comes to getting up and down the pitch.

Kessie represents a step up, if the owners of West Ham box clever then signing a player of his calibre would go some way towards placating disgruntled fans as well as making up for the loss of Fernandes.

We'll have more news as soon as we get confirmation - Ed