Strange Goings On Between Hammers & Fenerbahce

Admittedly it is the beginning of the transfer silly season, and as such speculation is rife, but there are some wildly polarised stories regarding potential dealings between Turkish outfit Fenerbahce and West Ham United. That old 'friend' of the Irons, a certain Mr Damien Comolli, yes the same one who used to do the dirty work for Daniel Levy and the 'unmentionables', is rumoured to be on his way to London in order to try and buy Hammers midfielder Manuel Lanzini on the cheap!

According to the Turkish press, Fenerbahce are looking to replace Mathieu Valbuena by signing Lanzini, it’s reported that after losing Valbuena to Olympiacos on a free transfer, the Turkish club are in the market for a creative midfielder and Lanzini is said to be an option. Laughably it is being reported that West Ham are prepared to sell Lanzini cheaply, so long as it isn't to another Premier League team, in order to help fund the projected new arrivals.

On the face of it the story is ludicrous, but some will say Lanzini is only half the player now than he was before his horrific injury, the jury is out on this one though because with the benefit of a full pre-season's training Lanzini could well return right on form. Manuel Pellegrini is a known admirer of 'the little jewel' Lanzini, and it would take a seismic offer for Pelle to sanction an exit move for a player that he originally wanted to build his team around.

A much more plausible link between West Ham the Turkish club is that Hammers are looking to activate Fenerbahce's captain Hasan Ali Kaldirim’s £4.4Million release clause this summer. Kaldirim currently plays left wing back for the Super Lig side, however he can easily play as an orthodox left back as well. Born in Germany Ali Kaldirim is a a full Turkey international with 30 caps since making his debut in 2012, the same year he signed for the Turkish club, the 29 year old started his career at FC Kaiserslautern before moving onto FC Mainz in 2009. Kaldirim moved to Turkey, firstly for Kayserispor, before moving to Fenerbahce where he has made 224 appearances in his seven years at the club, netting five goals along the way. Kaldirim suffered a disappointing season, with his side only finishing 6th in the Super Lig, getting knocked out of the Turkish cup in the round of 16 and failing in the Champions League qualification stages, which subsequently left them in the Europa League where they lost to Zenit St Petersburg in the round of 32.

Even both BBC Sport and the Daily Mirror are running with the story that Mario Husillos is keen to bring the player to the London Stadium this summer. Kaldirim's 'minuscule' £4.4 Million release clause currently in his contract makes him an ideal target for 'cash strapped' West Ham, being able to sign such an experienced player for such a low price is unusual, especially a club captain, it seems that it is not only the West Ham of the past who are good at 'cocking up' player's contracts!

Although Manuel Pellegrini already does have Aaron Cresswell and Arthur Masuaku in the left back/left wing back positions, the signing of Kaldirim could provide strength in depth and put pressure on the pair to up their game. At £4.4 Million and on wages that are easily affordable, Kaldirim could prove to be just as shrewd an acquisition as that of the General, Fabian Balbuena. - Ed