Forum | Non-Football Related

West Ham:Fabianski, Zabaleta, Ogbonna, Diop, Cresswell, Noble, Rice, Antonio, Nasri, Anderson, Arnautovic. Subs: Adrian, Masuaku, Obiang, Snodgrass, Diangana, Perez, Carroll.
Arsenal: Leno, Mustafi, Koscielny, Sokratis, Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Guendouzi, Kolasinac, Iwobi, Lacazette, Aubameyang. Subs: Cech, Bellerin, Lichtsteiner, Monreal, Torreira, Ramsey, Nketiah.

The Barclays Premier league is the most popular and lucrative franchise of Football in The World, it may be called Soccer in the USA but to the rest of the World it is Football! The style of play is unique, no other league around the globe can boast such guaranteed 'gladitorial' confrontations between the top players in the world.

La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, the Bundesliga and indeed the MLS are able to 'boast' their own plethora of expensive talent, but it the EPL that ranks supreme! Conjecture and rumour had always been the order of the day in the past, but given the massive fiscal clout of the 'hunters', even the lowliest of British clubs have been able to 'see off' Eureopean opposition when it came to getting their hands on new players.

The Arnie's 'Out Of Itch'? syndrome was perhaps inevitable given the player's age and the fact that his Agent is also his brother, if Arnoutovic were to be sold during this window Hammers are believed to be asking in excess of £60 Million to get the deal over the line, small change in the greater scheme of things.

The expression goes as one door closes another one opens, if 'Arnie decides to go, then he will do so having been a mini legend at the London Stadium, a far cry from the man that got sent off on his first match against Southampton.

Be Lucky- Ed

As we have previously reported, La Liga's Real Betis are actively pursuing the signing of former Arsenal striker Luca Perez who has failed to establish himself at West Ham following his £4.5 million summer move. There seems to be a bit more than speculation involved in this 'linked to' story, Betis need to push on in order to try and cement an unlikely league finish above the mighty Real Madrid but lack the fiscal clout to 'do battle' with a financial big hitter like the World's 17th richest club, West Ham United!

Betis have also expressed an interest in signing Hammers target and MLS star Miguel Almiron, this could result in a bidding war with only one winner, despite splashing out close to £100 Million during the summer which required a short term loan facility, and also using the money received from selling off 10% of the club to Mr Tripp Smith, Hammers still have enough in the kitty to blow Betis out of the water. However instead of inter club conflict a solution might be found to suit all parties.

Having been heavily linked with a move for Atlanta hero Almiron in recent months, Hammers are keen to proceed in signing the Paraguayan who was voted the second best player in MLS and helped his side to a first title in the season that has just ended. West Ham would need guarantees that a deal can be done for Almiron before letting Perez go, otherwise it would leave Manuel Pellegrini too light up front bearing in mind both Chicharito and Andy Carroll's susceptibility for picking up injuries.

Miguel Amiron has expressed an 'acute' interest in playing in the most viewed league in the World, the lure of playing in London for a progressive side under fellow South American Manuel Pellegrini as manager, and alongside an international teammate in the shape of Fabian Balbuena, would suggest West Ham would be his preferred destination. A skilled playmaker Almiron is exactly the sort of player West Ham fans want to see the club invest in, a player who's value will only increase.

Pellegrini and director of football Mario Husillos have made a number of top signings including Felipe Anderson, Issa Diop, Lukasz Fabianski and Fabian Balbuena, Andriy Yarmolenko also looked a fine prospect before his long term injury.
The feel good factor will have been further buoyed by the shrewd signing of Samir Nasri, who, on the evidence of his debut against Birmingham, looked a really class act. Hammers are being linked with virtually every player with a pulse during this transfer window probably as a result of having such a horrendous injury list, but quality not quantity will be the order of the day, if 'bodies' are required to make up the numbers Hammers do have an extraordinary crop of youngsters coming through the ranks, and from the recent academy graduates' showing there are plenty willing and able to step up to 'the next level', now where have we heard that 'next level' expression before? -Ed