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The International break never fails to amuse and annoy in equal measure, not only for the strain put on players travelling afar and risking injury, or burn out or both, but because of the proliferation of absurd transfer 'stories' that invariably surface like unwanted toilet flotsam reappearing!

Just when Hammers fans began to dream of their club becoming genuine top six contenders on a regular basis, along comes a competitor who can blow not only West Ham, but any other club in World football completely out of the water! Irrespective of the possible human rights and slavery abuses allegedly carried out by the de facto owners of the state investment fund that has just purchased Newcastle United from Mike Ashley, the fact is the numbers won't add up for West Ham.

West Ham made tentative steps back in the last transfer window to sign Italian striker Andrea Belotti, his exploits during the recent Euros highlighted what a gifted player the 27 year old is. His season has not got of to the best of starts at Torino as he is currently sidelined with a tendon injury that has kept him out for the last six games and seen him omitted from the Italian national team, there are some who say Italy's unbeaten record would still be intact had he been available for the game against Spain in the nation's league semi final.