When it comes to doing non domestic transfer business, clubs tend to stick with what they know in order to avoid lengthy unnecessary negotiations that more often than not ultimately end in disappointment. Hammers need for reinforcements is hardly a secret, neither is Olympic Marseille's urgent need for money.
Marseille have been hit particularly hard by the failed BeIn Sports TV deal that has seen the club's income plummet to such an extent that they are having to have a fire sale, just in order to balance the books, otherwise they risk severe FFP sanctions. Due to the club's 'chequered' past, their transactions will be heavily scrutinised with no room for error and no favours being handed down by the French FA.
Hammers have been interested in TWO of Marseille's players for some time, young inexperienced striker Bamba Dieng who is apparently available for around €10 Million is a source of much interest to West Ham. Duje Caleta-Car is another player that has been linked with Hammers on and off for ages, Hammers have tried unsuccessfully to get him on loan but their offers has been rebuffed by the French club on more than one occasion.
This is SURELY the type of situation Hammers should be exploiting! After all one of the main reasons for bringing Daniel Kretinsky on board, was for the club to be able to match the bidding of other clubs, at least the mid table ones. This is the time for West Ham to exploit their comparative wealth compared to those in France.
Dieng is 21 years old and has enormous potential, he has been described as the new Didier Drogba but has only managed four goals and one assist in 14 Ligue 1 games for Marseille this season, so he is obviously a work in progress AND he is away at AFCON so getting a deal over the line is nigh on impossible during this window, but it could be done if all parties are willing.
Caleta-Car is a different story though, Marseille are unwilling to sanction the loan to buy deal Hammers want, instead insisting on receiving the full €20 Million he is valued at, whereas Hammers are unwilling to make a straight out purchase fearing the player might not be able to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League. If he did arrive in East London he could link up with his international teammate Nikola Vlasic, a player who's difficulty in settling in is a classic example of why 'try to buy' is such a useful tool when it comes to purchasing players from the European Leagues and beyond.
Hammers and Marseille have a 'decent' business relationship, so there IS EVERY possibility a deal can be struck for at least ONE of the players, preferably the two, sometimes it is best to deal with the 'Devil you know' and let's face it sometimes it takes one to know one which puts Hammers firmly in the driving seat! - ED
