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Ex-Southampton player and Italian International Graziano Pelle's unlikely return to the Premier League has just got a lot closer with news that the player's representative has arrived in London to discuss Pelle's move from Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng. Pelle obviously has the experience David Moyes requires to 'hit the ground running', but at 32 years of age any move for him would be expensive as he would have little or no sell on value at the end of the two and a half year deal that his agent is looking for.

Diafra Sakho has finally managed to leave West Ham United by securing a move to Ligue Une club Stade Rennes, the Senagalese hit man completed his second medical for the club on Sunday night ahead of his 5 million euro transfer. Sakho had already completed his first medical early on in the season when he attempted to force through a move by taking himself to Rennes for the medical which was not authorised by West Ham.

Like many Premier League managers David Moyes elected to make wholesale changes to his starting line up for the FA Cup match against Wigan, Premier League survival being the holy grail. He probably assumed that his team would have a battle on against a rampant and well drilled Wigan team and that they might even end up losing, but never in his worst nightmares could he have envisaged what eventually transpired at the DW Stadium.

West Ham co-owner and majority share holder David Sullivan was probably hoping for a relatively quiet and potentially prosperous January transfer window, however all of that has turned on it's head in recent days. The plan appeared to be sell on Carroll and Sakho possibly even Ayew and Hernandez as well, extra funds could be brought in and with one or two additions and full utilisation of the promising youngsters available there would be a team capable of avoiding relegation and even finishing up as high as 7th in the Premier League with a net spend of Zero!

Despite claims by Calciomercato.com and other websites along with several other media outlets, Joao Mario's loan move to West Ham United is still most definitely on! The finances of the deal have already been sorted out between the Hammer's hierarchy and those at Inter Milan, with the two clubs having a good relationship.

Joao Mario Deal, First It Was On, Then It Was Off, Now It's Back On Again

West Ham United: Adrian, Masuaku, Ogbonna, Collins, Zabaleta, Cresswell, Obiang, Kouyate, Noble, Lanzini, Arnautovic Subs: Hart, Hernandez, Byram, Martinez, Burke, Cullen, Rice
AFC Bournemouth: Begovic, Francis, Cook, Ake, Smith, Gosling, Cook, Daniels, Ibe, Wilson, Fraser Subs: Boruc, Surman, King, Stanislas, Mousset, Simpson, Taylor

Talks are at an advanced stage between West Ham United and Inter Milan for the loan signing of Joao Mario. The Portuguese international has been linked with a move to Manchester United in the past, but is apparently not that keen on moving to the London Stadium. Since his £40 Million transfer from Sporting Lisbon 'Super Mario' has not had the game time that such a high transfer fee would suggest, he is currently out of favour with Inter manager Luciano Spalletti and has only made three starts and 15 appearances this season.

Frank Trimboli who is the managing director of Base Soccer Agency Ltd and a Registered Intermediary, is also Jack Wilshire's agent and he is not above planting rumours with the press, but his voice carries a lot of weight and after flirtations with Bournemouth and Crystal Palace he has put the word out that West Ham United might well be prepared to do business with his client.

West Ham United: Hart (c), Byram, Burke, Ogbonna, Oxford, Masuaku, Cullen, Obiang, Lanzini, Ayew, Martinez. Subs: Adrian, Zabaleta, Arnoutovic, Noble, Hakserbanovic, Samuelsen, Makasi
Shrewsbury Town: Henderson, Payne, Sadler, Nsiala, Beckles, Ogogo, Whalley, Nolan, C. Morris, Godfrey, Rodman. Subs: MacGillivray, Lowe, Dodds, Gnahoua, John-Lewis, B. Morris, Bolton