We've Had All The In's Now Who Are The Out's At West Ham?
With the closing of the transfer window for Premier League clubs to buy or trade with each other the only deals that can now be done are outgoings to either non-UK based clubs or loan deals to those in the EFL and below. Back in the dark days following relegation Hammers fans will remember what is was like to be hoping for good deals or 'exotic' loans from 'top' teams when the transfer window closed for Premier League teams, players viewed as suplus to requirements represented an ideal way for cash strapped lower league managers to strengthen their squads and give hope to their fans.
Young hopefulls Reece Burke and Domingos Quinna have already left the club on permanent deals for extraordinarily low fees, in addition to Cheik Kouyate who has left to join London rivals Crystal Palace also for an extraordinarily low fee, apart from that there has been little indication as to exactly who will be leaving the club and as to whether deals negotiated will be loans or permanent transfers.
There has been speculation that Robert Snodgrass could still be on his way to Aston Villa especially as they now have additional funding, however Manuel Pellegrini seems to rate the Scotts International highly and may well want to retain his services especially bearing in mind that Snodgrass is not on a high wage. In a way it is testimony as to just how well Hammers recruitment and retainment went during the transfer window, great players in and the 'crown jewels' retained in the form of Big Arnie Arnoutovic and Chic Pea.
For whatever reason, be it a 'misdirected' agent's guidance or believing in his own myth, Reece Oxford's career has gone backwards ever since he burst on to the scene with an inspiring debut as a 16 year old playing for a Hammers side that beat Arsenal at the Emirates. Then manager Slaven Billic, made it his mission to 'protect' Oxford from all the bright lights and diversions that he thought his prodigee would be subjected to, this he did successfully, unfortunately he inadvertantly suppressed the very nature of the player and as a result Oxford felt the need to be needed! Consequently Reece Oxford has been loaned out domestically with varied results, however during his two spells in Germany he has felt right at home and despite finding it hard to get game time initially he managed to endeer himself to a whole host of Bundesliga clubs, we expect him to be sold as Manuel Pellegrini clearly doesn't think Oxford has a future at the club. His sale could bring in around £10-12 Million, he was valued a little higher before being 'rejected' by both David Moyes during his tenure as manager and by new manager Manuel Pellegrini.
Sam Byram's services are sought by several clubs with Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough and Leeds all keen on signing the 23 year old right back who has fallen well down the pecking order at the London Stadium following the arrival of Ryan Fredericks from Fulham although there is still a possibilty that he may be retained as back up given that Pablo Zabaleta is the only other right back apart from Fredericks.
Thankfully the club also held on to Antonio!- Ed
