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  • Moron Gomez Release Clause Have Celta Blown It?

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Fri, 21/06/2019 - 10:38

    Maxi Gomez is Spanish club Celta Vigo's prize asset, and as such it is only to be expected that they will play hard ball when it comes to the player's sale, however Celta's insistence that the full release value of £42 Million be paid has put the brakes on two of his previous suitors moving for the talented Uruguayan.

    The simple fact is other than Barca, Real and Atletico teams in Spain just do not have the resources to do battle with cash rich Barclays Premier League clubs, even West Ham United! It is not just a question of being able to pay the often exorbitant prices being quoted, but the wages that can be offered for relatively 'unproven' young players are astronomic compared to those on offer in mainland Europe and elsewhere, only the Chinese Super League can offer more but they are generally only interested in 'household' names.

    As if to add to Celta's woes, West Ham has been offered the chance to sign 25 year old Spanish centre forward Loren Moron by Real Betis, a club Hammers have done business with in the past, the unfortunately named Moron is valued at £35 Million and Hammers were linked with a move for the player last summer but the player was advised to stay another season before countenancing a move, his release clause was increased and he was signed for another three years in order to bump up his eventual resale value.

    Although Manuel Pellegrini and Mario Husillos are quite keen on bringing Moron to the London Stadium, neutral observers will whiff a hint of bluff in the negotiations for Moron and also of the recent interest in Callum Wilson, it seems these 'players of interest' are merely a side game to chip away at the Celta Vigo hierarchy.

    It should be remembered how protracted the negotiations for Felipe Anderson were last season, on occasions it seemed that there wasn't a snow ball in hell's chance of the deal getting over the line, but it did in the end, who is to say that here will not be a similar positive outcome with the Gomez transfer? The situation has been further complicated by Gomez's appearances for Uruguay in the Copa America, any concrete move will have to wait until possibly July the 7th if Uruguay progress to the final stages.

    Softly, Softly - Ed

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  • *Now Something More Fishy About Claude-Maurice 'Overtures' Arsenal Can't Afford Him?

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Wed, 19/06/2019 - 20:03

    Having been 'linked' with a combined total of in excess of £140 Million for players other clubs seek to prise from the club, West Ham United have also been 'linked' with bringing in just about every player with a pulse that is available, or unavailable as the case may be. The column inches surrounding Manchester United and approaches for both Declan Rice and Issa Diop are full and far, possibly due to a misogynistic male lack of reporting of the Women's World Cup.

    One incoming 'player of interest' to West Ham is Lorient's Alexis Claude-Maurice, but they want to eek as much money out of the deal as possible, an entirely reasonable course of action. The 21 year old striker would apparently prefer a move to the Bundesliga at this stage of his career, and Wednesday’s L’Equipe quotes him as saying: “I want to join Monchengladbach, it is a club that relies on young people, there is a good structure, the team will play in the Europa League. This project pleases me and suits me.”

    Borussia Monchengladbach have offered €8 Million which Lorient say is ‘insufficient’, and they’ve claimed they have offers of €15 Million. Claude-Maurice is unhappy that his club are trying to ‘force his hand, and L’Equipe then add: ‘Especially since the offer of West Ham, who have never spoken with the player, has reached Lorient via the McKay family, and the situation around the transfer, after the sad case of Emiliano Sala, does not fill Claude-Maurice with confidence or a good feeling.’

    *News has recently broken regarding the arrest of a 64 year old man in connection with a manslaughter charge relating to the sad loss of Emiliano Sala, although no one has been named there is growing speculation that the person who was released pending investigation was closely connected to the McKay family.

    Arsenal were the first Premier League club to be 'linked' with Claude Maurice, but have withdrawn their interest because the price had risen too much! Crikey Mikey, how the mighty have fallen? What is going on in 'Gooner Land?', one can only conclude that Mezut Ozil and the other catastrophically expensive players they have on their books just cannot be moved on for love nor money, or could the potential whiff of scandal regarding dealing with the 'McKay situation' have 'put off' the Arsenal hierarchy?

    Ozil and Co arrived during a period when fans demanded to see some end product for the huge amount of money they were paying as season ticket holders to visit the Emirates Stadium, the manager and the board 'capitulated' and paid insane fees and wages for 5* Star players who turned out to be unleaded mercenaries. There is a word of caution to Hammers fans gleaming the news feeds hoping for additional signings, sometimes you really do have to be careful of what you wish for! - Ed

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  • Another Youngster Departs

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Mon, 17/06/2019 - 19:39

    While there is optimism about the latest group of players to emerge from the club's 'famous academy', that cannot be said for the preceding group, yet another of that 'generation' of players, Josh Pask, has left West Ham United. The 21 year old has signed a three year deal with Coventry City and has joined on a free contract, however it is believed there was a 20% sell on clause inserted in to the contract.

    Reece Oxford is another young player who the club had great expectations for is expected to leave shortly, for a fraction of what he was worth a couple of years ago, and the best of the rest who all fell by the way side. There are some who say that the brilliance of Tony Carr had begun to shine less brightly towards the end of his tenure, and that may be correct, however the demographic of the club's traditional catchment area changed dramatically and a period of refocus was probably required.

    The fact that West Ham have finally 'embraced' the need to provide state of the art facilities for potential youth players shows that Manuel Pellegrini has managed to get the board to see the obvious! The reason there was a lack of investment in the last few years was that a certain Mr Sullivan took umbridge with teams being able to 'hoover up' youth players, who cost good money to develop, for a pittance that gets decided by a tribunal.

    Having been the recipients of youth players from other clubs the penny has dropped that yes, you may develop a player and then lose them, but if you create an atmosphere that encourages new players to join because they, and more importantly their parents, see there is a definite possibility of them making the first team squad if they become good enough , then that will auger well for the future.

    The club will thank Manuel Pellegrini for believing in the youth set up, even if they don't necessarily agree with how ruthless some of his decisions can be. - Ed

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  • Gomez At The LS -"Just Like My Dreams"-"Fade And Die?"

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Sun, 16/06/2019 - 11:52

    "They fly so high, nearly reach the Sky, then like my dreams......" If ever there was a more apt Football supporters song than Bubbles, particularly when referencing West Ham United, then we would like to hear what it is! For nigh on 60 years Hammers have struggled to replicate the team that 'won' the 1966 World Cup, won in Europe and won domestically, always failing in one way or another, well that's all about to change.

    Even the most ardent of Hammers sites and webloggers are hesitant to 'big up' the potential arrival of long term target Maxi Gomez, it's as if they have been let in to the sweet shop that they have coveted all their lives and don't know what to do with their new found delight. Ahead of last season no one actually thought that Felipe Anderson would actually arrive at the club, it was the usual smoke and mirrors from the board was the general feeling of most fans, but looked what happened!

    Following the recent acquisition of Villarreal star Pablo Fornals for £24 Million, news that West Ham United's as yet undisclosed but rumoured to be £31 Million bid for long term target Maxi Gomez had been accepted was met with widespread disbelief. Hammers fans have become so used to playing second fiddle in the transfer market, that to see the club doing battle with 'the big boys' is just as refreshing as it is unique.

    Somehow, somewhere Manuel Pellegrini and Mario Husillos have managed to work their magic by not only finding the correct players, but also getting the necessary promises of funding from the Hammers hierarchy. On that topic there has been an uneasy cloud hovering over the club with regards to Issa Diop, with Manchester United apparently ready to offer £45 Million plus a player in exchange for the combative 22 year old French International, dubbed 'the beast' by ex-United and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

    According to a Hammers spokesperson the club have given short shrift to the Red Devils approach “Their interest is of no interest to us whatsoever, it’s very simple, he is going nowhere, Issa is a major part of the team and at his age is set to become an integral part of things at West Ham for many years to come.”

    If this declaration is adhered to, and the players keep arriving, then West Ham Fans might just begin to believe that Bubbles don't always fade and die! - Ed

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  • At Some Point A High Profile Man Must Exit To Fund Transfers

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Sun, 16/06/2019 - 00:42

    Hot on the heels of acquiring Villarreal star Pablo Fornals for £24 Million, West Ham United's as yet undisclosed but rumoured to be £31 Million bid for long term target Maxi Gomez has been accepted. Unfortunately for expectant Hammers fans a similar bid has also been accepted from Valencia, however the lure of the Barclays Premier League and the higher wages that the Irons are able to offer should see the deal over the line, but there are a couple of issues that will raise their ugly heads.

    Primarily Gomez doesn't want to be a bench warmer should he sign for Manuel Pellegrini, on this issue at least he should be reassured, there is no way West Ham can make a 'Marquee' signing and then, unlike some of the 'elite' clubs afford to bench him. Media generated stories that Gomez is unwilling to come to the London Stadium unless he is guaranteed a starting berth have some liquidity, but what might be of greater concern is the 'big name' player who might have to be sacrificed in order to fund what is an extravagant but purposeful transfer policy.

    The immediate names that spring to mind would be either Declan Rice because of his stratospheric rise to fame, or Marko Arnautovic because of his desire to earn more money elsewhere, but neither of these players seem to be the ones at risk of being sold, unfortunately Issa Diop may be the one who has to go in order for the club to move forward. The purported £60 Million that Manchester united are prepared to offer for a player who 'only' cost £22 Million last season will probably be too hard to resist by the board, it's a shame, but what would West Ham fans prefer, selling Diop or Declan Rice?

    Of course in an ideal world the club would be able to retain both players, but the numbers don't add up otherwise. - Ed

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  • the infamous Knock in training

    mcbikeman's picture
    Submitted by mcbikeman on Fri, 14/06/2019 - 17:36

    Forums:

    We all now about it and we all hold our breath when we hear a player has suffered a "slight" knock in training as we know that means a minimum 6 weeks and with rehab make it 9 weeks before the player returns...so as much as i hate to mention it how long before Pablo falls victim to our curse?

  • West ham v Man citeh

    cast iron's picture
    Submitted by cast iron on Fri, 14/06/2019 - 12:42

    Forums:

    What most supporters seemed to have missed is that we are playing Citeh before the Prem fixture in the Asia Trophy the 17th July Wed 13.30BST its on Sky Sports Prem. I dont expect it to have all the 1st team squad but you never know

  • Hammers Massive Expenditure To Continue Funded By HP Not DR

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Fri, 14/06/2019 - 10:52

    For a club supposedly struggling to generate transfer market funds, certain players have to be sold or released, West Ham United are doing a pretty good job of confounding critics and supporters in equal measure. The impending arrival of Villarreal star Pablo Fornals, one of the hottest young stars in Spain, for a fee of £24 Million has technically wiped out over half of the rumoured transfer kitty.

    Spain International 23 year old Fornals’ wages of £60,000 per week are entirely manageable and are in keeping with the new ethos of buying young players quite expensively but on relatively low wages, lowering the average age of the players at the London Stadium is obviously a key desire of both Manuel Pellegrini and Mario Husillos. Fornals will become the second most expensive signing in West Ham’s history, for now!

    With all this positive transfer activity one would have expected the two Davids to have at least been on their soapboxes eulogising about how the club is moving to the next level, but thankfully nothing, nada, zilch! Amazing isn't it? We are not sure what dark secrets Pellegrini and the Huse discovered that have enabled them to blackmail the 'Men's Mag Magnates' so effectively but long may it continue.

    On a more serious note, how will little old West Ham be able to pay for the 'luxurious' players who are apparently being lined up, what about FFP? The answer is quite simple, and it doesn't involve the board using smoke and mirrors. You see, back in the day the Hammers hierarchy used to take a 'pay day loan' from an offshore company based in Bermuda, as did several Barclays Premier League clubs, but due to rule changes and FFP the use of that facility was banned.

    Ironically the removal of the loan facility has benefited West Ham because it forced a change of mind set within the club, instead of paying massive wages for older players with little or no sell on value, the club will pay up for young talent, but not stupidly high wages. This situation is possible because their has been a decision made to 'utilise' the more liberal fiscal tranch facility available when dealing with overseas clubs as opposed to those in the UK, essentially HP but with a different name.

    The positive outcome of committing the club to what seems like more debt will be the creation of a pool of players whose value will increase as opposed to the old way of doing things where the players' values would go the opposite way, shrewd investment in young players and the nurturing of the club's youth players is how El Pel and the Huse managed to make lowly Malaga a force while they were there, and there is no reason why they cannot repeat that achievement at Stratford.

    Finally, fans should be reassured that by using HP, the club can avoid having to sell DR, Declan Rice! - Ed

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