westhamfans.org

According to numerous news outlets West Ham United have been offered the chance to take Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman on loan from Marseille next season, OK so the headline question might appear rhetorical because initially only a loan deal is mentioned, however it is not beyond imagination to suggest the french club want to put Strootman in the shop window and to replicate the high profile that Dimitri Payet was accorded while playing for the Irons.

Speculation is always rife at the beginning of the transfer window, and despite only being a 'mid table' Barclays Premier League side, West Ham United still manage to receive an inordinate amount of press coverage. The club has been linked with just about every player who has a pulse! So who are the real targets and who are just part of the 'smoke and mirrors' syndrome that usually occurs around season ticket renewal time?

Great things were expected from both Toni Martinez and Martin Samuelson a couple of seasons ago, both were sent out on loan by Manuel Pellegrini during his first season in charge, and both have failed to live up to their expectations spectacularly. Along with Reece Oxford and Saeed Hakserbanovic Martinez and Samuelson were supposed to be the future of the club, but it was a future built on suspect foundations.