Forum | Non-Football Related

Having been on the receiving end of being financially out muscled on numerous occasions when it comes to player purchasing, the boot is on the other foot for West Ham United. Despite offering the full €50 Million of Maxi Gomez's release clause, albeit in instalments, and offering twice the wages, the 22 year old Uruguayan striker has chosen to remain in Spain and join Valencia in what is a cut price deal.

While the on off transfer may have infuriated many expectant Hammers fans, the fact that the player chose to honour the original contract he had been offered rather than getting twice the money by joining the Hammers is testimony to the player's honesty and sentiment. A mercenary he obviously isn't! It is a shame that a decent human being as well as an excellent footballer has chosen to not join up with Manuel Pellegrini but it is the mark of the man that Gomez's head couldn't be turned by the promise of riches.

Missing out on Gomez is just how things panned out, and because this transfer was unsuccessful it wasn't for the want of trying, possibly in the past the deal would have been a typical smoke and mirrors 'get the bums on seats' exercise, but there was genuine intent to get the deal over the line, however in this instance it didn't happen. It is a pity that players like Gomez are in the minority, as the majority seem to be like the great Sulkauvic that Hammers have had surgically removed, the Austrian wouldn't know what integrity was even if it ran him over! - Good luck to Gomez, good riddance to Arnautovic - Ed

Hindsight being the wonderful thing that it is has shown that West Ham would have fared far better in their sale of Marko Arnautovic had it been completed in January as opposed to now, however there are several points that need to be looked at, primarily the financing of the deal to sell Arnautovic and the finances that were available at the time to push through the purchase of main target Maxi Gomez from Celta Vigo.

It should also be remembered that Celta Vigo were unwilling to sell their star player while they were in the middle of a relegation battle, had they done so they would have insisted on the player's exit clause being PAID IN FULL, not only were they insistent on the £43.5 Million release clause being met but also that it would be paid in one lump, not instalments!

The next element to consider was the January bid made for Arnautovic wasn't the reported £35 Million, but £28-30 Million depending on the Euro to Pound transfer rates at the time, leaving a deficit of £15.5 Million to make up. This figure was not achievable under FFP due to the massive £95 Million the club had already spent last summer, now it is a new financial year moves can now be made, although it would not be good business practice to actually pay for all of Gomez's transfer up front Hammers are prepared to go the distance if they have to.

The impending departure of Javier Hernandez will also release the funds to bring in two back up strikers, now if only someone was stupid enough to buy Jordan Hugill it would be happy days at the London Stadium. - Ed