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Phone 'He' War Agents Jostle

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Wed, 19/06/2024 - 20:15

It is easy to forget that new Hammers manager Julen Lopetegui doesn't officially become West Ham United's manager until July the 1st, the very same day that purchases of 'contracted' overseas players can 'officially' begin.

So it is no small wonder that there have been a bewildering number of reports regarding players heading to East London, NONE of them are entirely fact based but are more 'agent' driven as the sock less wonders begin lining up clubs for their players, whether the player or the clubs wants them or not!

In agent parlance, he who makes the most noise often gets the results THEY want, whereas sometimes the really successful ones require no fan fare or loud broadcast to get their deals done. Hammers have been very pro-active in their search for new players but much of the 'news' is merely heresay and is information drip fed to the media by clubs wanting a smoke screen and agents wanting just about everything.

The European championships will also have a determinative effect on who goes where AND more pertinently at what cost. Most clubs apart from those financed directly or indirectly by sovereign states are having to mind their expenditure acutely, some of the figures being banded around are quite ludicrous, the days of clubs spending massively are long gone.

This doesn't mean clubs won't push the boat out for 'marquee' signings, but they will all HAVE to cut their cloth according to their means rather than risking FFP penalties.

Much of Hammers business will be dictated by the goings from the club, players like Aguerd and Zouma could bring in much needed funds for Jlo's extensive rebuild of the squad, the first bit of really good non agent driven news is that Southampton are seriously interested in bringing Danny Ings back to the South Coast for a 'bargain fee' of £6 Million.

If Hammers can get anywhere near that amount they should snap the arms of the bidder! The stumbling block is the ludicrously high wages Ings is on, believed to be North of £125,000 per week. Hopefully, the player will take a pay cut to go and play at a club where he would fit in and be welcomed back with open arms.

We can but hope that an agent can do the business in this instance! - Ed

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Forest away

mcbikeman's picture
Submitted by mcbikeman on Tue, 18/06/2024 - 09:27

In November what's so special about that? simple it is the first game in the Prem we play outside of London this season barring a cup game that is...so no to expensive a start to the season traveling to see West Ham

Number 9 or false 9?

mcbikeman's picture
Submitted by mcbikeman on Sun, 16/06/2024 - 11:41

Although we have as i write this post still only signed one player i got to thinking with all these wingers we are linked with and how they can play on the left or the right or through the middle i wonder with Bowen and Kudus in the mix already and both of those can play in various positions i have to wonder will we have a proper striker or players that are comfortable to interchange during the match leaving defenders wondering who to mark? it would certainly be a gamble if that arises but it will also make us less predictable and a very interesting watch.

The Impact Of iGaming Sponsorships On West Ham United's Revenue

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Submitted by nevillenixon on Sun, 16/06/2024 - 11:06

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West Ham United is known as the Hammers and is a top club in the English Premier League with a rich history and a passionate fan base. Financial stability is key to any club’s success but often hard to come by. West Ham has found one way around this issue by entering into sponsorship deals with some online betting companies. This article will look at what these deals mean for West Ham’s finances – both good and bad.

One lucrative deal after another

It was back in 2015 that West Ham first signed the dotted line with Betway – an online gambling giant propping them up ever since. According to reports from West Ham News, they agreed on £6 million for year one, but this figure has since soared to £10m per season, which shows how much can change overnight!

The English Premier League isn’t exactly shy when it comes to taking money from casino websites, either. A study done by Statista found out that more than half of all teams taking part have shirt sponsors that fall under this category alone – with most being valued at several million pounds annually. The report went on to say that such figures illustrate just how far these businesses are willing to go for some international exposure.

West Ham’s financial future has brightened considerably due to cash injections from Betway. By spending on the playing staff, training facilities and other areas, they have guaranteed themselves another season (at the very least) in the top flight. Furthermore, if you’re looking for new punters, few things will work better than having “Betway” emblazoned across a claret-and-blue shirt worn by players appearing on television sets around the world.

Moreover, the fact that there are West Ham-themed online slots games shows how much people love them these days, too – with such games attracting fans and gamers alike while also increasing brand visibility even further, for that matter!​

“More than just numbers” – Fanbase Engagement vs Brand Awareness

Apart from these cold figures, there is also some warmth generated by West Ham’s iGaming associations. Broadcasting live Premier League football matches reaches millions upon millions every weekend worldwide – and having Betway on those shirts means that every one of those potential gamblers gets another good look at a brand they might not know much about before kick-off time!

The partnership is reciprocal and serves the interest of West Ham too. The team may use its alliance to encourage responsible betting among supporters. Many clubs collaborate with sponsors on different projects against problem gambling; therefore, they help people realize that it is risky and promote healthy betting habits.​

Two Sides of One Coin: Ethics and Regulatory Outlook

Though there are financial gains, iGaming sponsorships raise ethical concerns. Gambling addiction is a real issue, and some people feel that these partnerships make it seem like gambling is a normal part of sports and can lead to gambling problems, particularly for young fans.

These issues have not been lost on regulators who oversee such activities. For example, The UK Gambling Commission put in place tougher measures for adverts or any form of marketing done by companies involved in internet-based gaming. Their main goal with these restrictions is to make sure vulnerable groups are safeguarded through responsible advertisements.

It is the duty of West Ham United and other clubs in the Premier League to think about these moral questions. They must weigh up their financial gain against what is right. Partnering with an iGaming company that has strong policies towards responsible gaming can help alleviate some fears.​

The Tomorrow of Football Clubs’ iGaming Partnerships

The upcoming days will prove if this type of sponsorship has a place in soccer. There may be alterations within laws governing betting in sports as well as society’s perception towards gambling. However, going by current trends, it seems like, for now, at least such deals are here to stay as they bring good money, especially to clubs within the English top-flight, such as West Ham.​

Forward Thinking: a Partnership Built To Last

IGaming Corporations have significantly enhanced West Ham's economic status. The huge payments received from sponsorships have facilitated investment, making it possible for the team to strive at higher levels. Nonetheless, it is essential to take note of morality issues concerning addiction to betting.

To ensure continuity in such collaborative efforts, the club should consider working with sponsors whose main aim is to promote responsible gambling. This will go a long way in not only benefitting the club financially but also its fan base.

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Dark Day

Submitted by Enfieldhammer on Sat, 15/06/2024 - 11:01

Woken up to the news that young Millwall keeper Sarkic has died at just 26. Then to be followed by the news Kevin Campbell has also passed at just 54. Really does not make sense. Hoping Liverpool legend Hansen can stay strong.

Saviour Or Savio 2:0?

Submitted by Louis Nixon on Fri, 14/06/2024 - 21:47

Having signed Brazilian winger Luis Guilherme for £25.5m from Palmeiras on a five-year contract, the Irons have moved swiftly on to pursue other South American targets.

The 18-year-old is manager Julen Lopetegui's first signing since taking charge last month, Guilherme completed his move on Friday when the transfer window in the Premier League officially opened, subject to international clearance and a work permit being issued.

Many fans see Luis Guilherme as a saviour. It is to be hoped that he is more saviour than Savio Nsereko turned out to be! According to local reports from West Ham have lodged an official £11 Million bid for Fluminense forward Jhon Arias – one that has been accepted. The Irons will also pay the Brazilian club around £1.8 Million in bonuses if the 26-year-old Colombian hits certain performance targets.

It is suggested that a deal to bring Arias to the London Stadium could be completed within the next few days.The Fluminense star is a right winger by trade, but can also operate in the middle or out wide on the left.

He has grabbed 35 goals and 38 assists in 168 appearances for Fluminense and he has seven goals and four assists in 27 games so far this season. Arias is an absolute speedster and has a really low centre of gravity similar to that which Carlos Tevez had.

What makes Arias unique is the fact that he’s right-footed and plays on the right! He would provide Lopetegui with a completely different option in the final third and additionally his pace would definitely stretch opponents enabling J Lo to have his players higher up the pitch.

If West Ham really have had an £11 million bid for Arias accepted, then other targets like Dominc Solanski will no longer be considered viable.- LN

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Brasil A Go Go!

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Fri, 14/06/2024 - 08:56

You know how it is when you sign Brazilian players, you sign one and then suddenly your clu bbecomes linked with just about every other player in the continent who has a pulse! Such is the case at West Ham where fresh after the official announcement of the signing of Luis Guilherme the club is actively working on the signing of not one, but TWO more Brazilians so get ready to Samba!

To continue with the 'South American' flavour Hammers are deep into negotiations for Udinese's Argentine full back Nehuen Perez. The highly rated 23 year old has just made his first full start for the Argentine National team and is already coveted by many teams, but as is obvious, if you snooze you lose in today's transfer market and Hammers head of recruitment Tim Steidten or 'Scnell Steidty' likes to get things done quickly, having shown due diligence of course!

Yet more South American targets are in Schnell's crosshairs, attacker Matias Soule is up for grabs from Juventus, the 21 year old Argentine attacker will allegedly not be sold for anything less than £33.7 Million (€40 Million) this summer, however Juve are actually prepared to let the player go for far less than that.

Jota Silva, the 24 year old Portuguese winger from Vitoria de Guimaraes is also said to be in talks with the Irons over a €20 Million move, so there could well be a distincive smattering of Portugese being spoken in the dressing room next season!

Steidten and the club have obviously recognised that despite potential pitfalls South America represents an opportunity for rich pickings, especially those who have adapted to European football.

Isn't it refreshing to see West Ham on the front foot when it comes to transfers?, and if that front foot phylosophy is also applied to the type of football being played then it will be happy days for supporters as well! - Ed

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When Are Players Worth A Punt?

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Wed, 12/06/2024 - 10:08

With the transfer window about to open, all the pre opening hysteria can then make way for some real full blown bull! Hammers have been LINKED with a plethora of players, enough to replace the entire team three or four times over, so when the dust settles who will the club go for? There are 'set in stone' targets, but there are also players who are 'worth a punt' despite the risks associated with signing them, whether fitness, attitude or difficult clubs and agents to deal with.

The latest 'slight return' being mooted is former Chelsea ace Tammy Abraham, Roma are thought to value the striker, who has two years left on his contract, at between £17 Million-£21 Million and Abraham is thought to be keen on a return to England.

Once of interest to a multitude of clubs, Tammy suffered an ACL injury from which he has taken a long time to recover, but he has recovered however he is finding game time hard to come by in Italy, is he worth a punt?

Given the Irons atrocious record when it comes to signing injury prone players, then the answer has to be a definitive NO! But a fit and firing Abraham at around £20 Million could represent incredibly good value, especially when viewing Chelsea's valuation of Armando Broja who suffered a similar injury.

In football you generally get what you pay for and in Abraham's case the price being asked reflects the risk in signing him, but beggars cannot be choosers and in the real world West Ham come under the beggars category, so why not take a punt?

Another club like Villa will! - Ed

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I have a dream!

Dartford Bhoy's picture
Submitted by Dartford Bhoy on Wed, 12/06/2024 - 06:02

I have a dream!

Not quite Martin Luther King but something to inspire us for the Euro's!

England are in the final, its 0-0 against one of our old foes.

There's 88 minutes on the clock.

That idiot Southgate turns to the bench and says "you're on Jarrod" 

Bowen comes on, makes a run from the halfway line, is beautifully picked out with a pass from Declan Rice that has the measure of Trevor Brooking or Seve Ballesteros with a pitching wedge, controlled in one move, slotted past the keeper, the crowd go crazy, everyone is singing "Bowen's on fire..."

Yet again, West Ham win a major trophy and we have the bragging rights... Oh yer.. We won the World Cup and The European Nations.. A theme that will go on for years to come   :o)

Come on England, Come on you Irons... Believe!!!!    

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