Before the dust had even settled on the Barclays Premier League season West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini made it very clear which areas of the Squad needed strengthening, along with head of recruitment Mario Husillos they embarked on the transfer trail 'early doors'. The pair made it clear to the Hammers hierarchy that the goal keeping situation needed resolving, as did the need for an additional centre back, a creative midfielder was required as was an out and out striker.
The goal keeping situation was quickly resolved, and the creative midfield need has been filled by the arrival of young Spanish sensation Pablo Fornals. Hammers have been looking to the French and Spanish leagues because the club is relatively cash rich compared to it's European counterparts, there have been numerous defensive options rumoured by the Press but West Ham have plenty of options and plenty of time for who ever they eventually choose to arrive, expect an enormous amount of further press speculation in the coming weeks!
Adaptability and pragmatism are often the order of the day when it comes to multi million pound transfers, however one player El Pel and the Huse are determined to get is
Celta Vigo striker, Uruguayan Maxi Gomez, the 22 year old currently away on international duty at the Copa America. Celta Vigo have been playing hard ball over the transfer fee, and in the end Hammers may have to cough up almost all of Gomez's purported £42 Million release clause, but in the end they will get their target as they are prepared to play the long game! Having narrowly avoided relegation, Celta Vigo need the funds from the sale of Gomez to rebuild their team ahead of next season, it is just a question of when, not if they lose their resolve.
The Gomez deal is set to linger on because of Uruguay's involvement in the Copa, the final of which is due to be held on the 7th of July in Brazil. The only worrying aspect is that certain stories have begun to emerge from France regarding Issa Diop, rumour has he may be 'sacrificed' in order to fund the Gomez deal, it is to be hoped that is exactly what they are, rumours. - Ed
Comments
stories rumours
They come from everywhere and the Diop one is no different and if a club came in with a stupid offer for him we may not like it but would understand it if it was accepted but if he was sold to provide funds to sign this Gomez then i would not be happy about that....Reid/Ogbonna/Obiang/Hugil/should all go before Diop and maybe they will not get the money needed to get this Gomez deal over the line but i would be happier keeping Diop than gambling on a player who has no prem experience i hear that he is not the quickest either and goalscorer he may be but we heard all that with Zaza and look how poor he was....and if This Gomez is that good why is it seemingly only us that are now in for him? i trust El Pels judgement and if he wants the player fine but to sacrifice Diop for that i am afraid is a step to far....we all have been aware for a long time that the front line needed looking at so it is a pretty poor effort on the clubs part to be in this current situation so for me keep Diop and go back for Rondon now Benitez is leaving the geordies..