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Having built up a very good relationship with Slavia Prague, West Ham United are now actively engaged in bringing Prague’s striker Abdallah Sima, to The London Stadium. The negotiations have accelerated due to 'sudden' interest in the young striker by fellow Barclays Premier League teams Manchester United and Arsenal.

Normally this would mean that 19 year old Sima would have his head turned by the offers on the table from the 'big clubs', and would choose them as opposed to their 'poorer' East End rivals, however in this instance the Irons for once hold most of the aces in that Sima is far more likely to choose West Ham over his other suitors because his former colleagues, Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal, are already in situ and would be a very welcoming presence for what after all is a very young and probably very impressionable player.

The acquisition of Sima probably represents the last real opportunity for West Ham to get their 'Czeck' book out before the 'vultures' swoop, because you can bet your house on the fact that Man U and Le'Arse, along with a host of other 'elite' clubs, will be looking to the Czech league for bargains, with the inevitable consequence of pushing prices through the roof.

At least in this instance Hammers were way ahead of the pack, but unfortunately this seem of gold is about to run out as the other 'prospectors' lump on the bandwagon. David Moyes is probably annoyed that the opposition will now attempt to usurp the Irons as the main outlet for Slavia and the other teams in their league, but he can console himself with the fact that he has managed to get the cream of the crop ahead of the rest. - Ed

PS: As if to add substance to the inflationary aspect of other team's involvement, apparently Slavia Prague Club President Jaroslav Tvrdik recently responded to the Arsenal rumours by stating: “It takes £50 million to let him go in January.” Although his comment was believed to be a bit tongue in cheek, we have learned that any deal for Sima would involve a very substantial sell on fee.

What a year it's been, a year like no other, the whole football community as in other walks of life has been put on hold, we wish all fans, not just West Ham United fans all the best in the coming year. Stay safe and be lucky Orgers young and old- Ed

Going in to a 'compressed fixtures' season with a light weight squad was always going to be a tall ask for David Moyes, and so it came to pass with long term injuries to two of his most trusted first teamers, Michail Antonio and Authur Masuaku, each one a linch pin in the team he had forged using the Moyes template.

There can be no criticism for any lack of planning, the unfortunate fact is that previous manager Manuel Pellegrini's profligate player acquisitions left absolutely nothing in the kitty, moreover it also left the unpleasant obligation to pay off for his mistakes for a considerable period of time to come, in what is already the most fiscally challenging period in the club's history!

Something had to give, but no one had anticipated losing both Antonio and Masuaku at the same time for lengthy periods during the season as it now looks will happen. The injuries mean that Moyes has been forced to change from his preferred three at the back to a more conventional set up, and since then results have not been so good.

Normally the transfer window opening as it will on January the 1st would be accompanied by all sorts of speculation, West Ham usually feature prominently in the Gossip columns, however this window, without a shadow of a doubt will be a 'very, very quiet' window. The simple fact is there is no money to spend, any significant acquisitions would have to be funded by player sales in an already incredibly stifled market, values have dropped by at least 40%, in some cases closer to home, a whole lot more!

Younger fans will have been distressed to see the club tumble down the Barclays Premier League to end up in 10th place for Christmas, instead of possibly 5th, but it should be remembered that most Hammers fans would have snapped your arm off to be in mid table at this time of the season instead of being embroiled in a relegation scrap, be careful what you wish for, but be grateful for what you have! - Ed

The club have confirmed that West Ham United have signed Danish centre-back Frederik Alves for an undisclosed fee, probably around £1.5 Million, from Danish club Silkeborg. The U21 international will join up officially on the 2nd of January 2021. Alves spent the past three-and-a-half years with Silkeborg and made 48 senior appearances.

The 6ft 2in defender, was initially linked with the Irons during the summer, but has now signed a three-and-half-year contract that will run until the summer of 2024. Alves had already agreed personal terms back in November and passed a medical at the same time.
Initially seen as a player who will need to play in the U-23 team, Alves does possess the quality to play first team football, his signing will give additional strength in depth to David Moyes' 'thin claret and blue' line.

Alves also looks extraordinarily similar Sebastien Haller, it is to be hoped he plays with more vim and vigor when given the chance- Ed