Belotti Deal Back On Track

West Ham United are usually one of the most talked about Premier League teams during the transfer window, due to the glaringly obvious need for an additional striker to replace record signing Sebastien Haller, a situation that has been in the public domain longer than a Downing Street drinks party!

Newcastle United are now the club that everyone is looking at, as a result of their 'stonewall' take over by that ever so caring and sharing 'liberal' outpost in the middle east, Saudi Arabia, a place where being given a 'heads up' has an entirely different meaning than it does here in the UK!

Now that ALL the media attention is focused on the Toon, perhaps David Moyes will be able to go about his PLANNED recruitment without such intense scrutiny. Moyes had a set of targets in various areas at the beginning of the season, and as is common knowledge, he is a man who will NOT be swayed when it comes to player acquisitions.

One of David Moyes's principal striker targets, Andrea Belotti, has recently snubbed 'money bags' offers from BOTH Newcastle and Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Whether Belotti's decision is based on footballing principals, or on wider human rights issues is currently unclear, but either way he appears to tick ALL the right boxes for Moyes.

YOUNG, HUNGRY and LEAN is Moyes's transfer mantra, Belotti fits right into that mould and he even looks a bit like Tony Cottee as well! Belotti's club Torino, are reported by Sky Sport Italia to have accepted an offer from Al Hilal but the reports claim Belotti said no and wants to end the season with them before picking his next destination. Al Hilal AND Newcastle have both offered Belotti north of £6.25 Million per year on four year deals, but it appears that the 25 year old Italy International is more interested in playing football than lining his already deep pockets.

Hammers wouldn't be able to sign Belotti during this window, but WOULD be able to sign a pre-contract deal so that he could join on a free transfer when the summer window opens. Apparently Belotti is seeking guaranteed game time, which is the only fly in the ointment, ironically Hammers results between now and the END of the window will more than likely dictate the players destination.

IF Hammers are still fighting on THREE fronts AND are able to maintain their position in and around the top four to top six of the Premier League, then there is NO reason Belotti shouldn't come to the East of London. What a signing Belotti would be? Some might question when and how he could be integrated into the tight ship that Moyes runs, the injuries sustained by Aaron Cresswell, Angelo Ogbonna AND Kurt Zouma are classic examples of why a club needs strength in depth.

Belotti back on track? You betcha, if you ask David Moyes and Rob Newman they would say he never left the runners and riders! - LN