Hammers Must Be Realistic Now

Aside from the 'click bait' offers to 'entice' James Tarkowski away from Burnley and other ludicrous supposed targets, there is an acceptance among fans that there will be very few new faces, if any, arriving at the club during the current transfer window, in fact most fans are just praying that Declan Rice doesn't get sold!

With David Moyes' pragmatic approach to transfers clearly showing that he likes to really research potential new players extensively which is a good thing, his 'sitting on the fence' transfer approach that might have worked in the past doesn't now. One by one decent players available for relatively low fees have slipped through the club's hands, and with the season already two games in the need for new defenders has been highlighted, particularly in the game against Newcastle. So it is rather confusing that Monaco’s World Cup winning right back Djibril Sidibe has been offered to West Ham United, but David Moyes’ bosses will only sign him if they fail to land their other targets, targets which are disappearing fast!

The 28 year old 2017 Ligue 1 champion might have felt that he had done enough to earn a permanent contract while on loan at Everton last season but, with Sidibe’s finest performances for Everton coming under Marco Silva rather than Carlo Ancelotti, the Toffees elected against triggering the £13 million option to buy clause in his contract.

At around £14 Million and on wages that won't break the bank, Sidibe would represent a significant upgrade on the full back options currently available to David Moyes, the fact that he can play at right or left back but also in central defence is surely beneficial for a club that essentially needs players to cover 'gaps' in the squad. Sidibe may not be a 'marquee' signing but he would definitely help shore up the League's second leakiest defence.

Due to the club's lack of finances, Hammers will either try to 'low ball' the deal or try to take the player on loan, however it is not in Monaco's plans to retain Sidibe and they would prefer to ship him out on a permanent basis rather than a loan deal. If Moyes wants Sidibe, then he should apply as much pressure as he can on the board to get the deal done as soon as possible in order to have time to work with the player. - Ed