From the Boardroom - David Gold
WHUFC.com
I am thrilled to be welcoming Dimitri Payet to West Ham United. I think this is evidence of our intent and the ambition we have for the Club. Dimitri is a signing that will excite the fans and add even more strength to our midfield. He is a serious international who has come to us ahead of other big clubs. He will be part of the future with us moving into the new Stadium and it won't be long before the top five are looking over their shoulders. It sends out that message to everyone. It is great for us because David Sullivan and the team at West Ham United have worked so hard to pursue this target when other clubs were challenging us for his signature. Obviously the manager was an important consideration for the player. West Ham United are a team on the up and he wants to be a part of that and achieve success.
It is exciting for him to come into the Premier League and for us this is the culmination of five years rebuilding the football club and this is another piece of the foundation. I know that Dimitri was one of the most creative players in European football last season and that shows the quality of the player. One of the hardest things is to be top of that list when it comes to assists and delivering the ball to the strikers. I can promise the fans that the likes of Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Mauro Zarate will be thrilled as well with the signing and the prospect of them getting even better service next season. Let's now see what we can do as a team and how much we can achieve. What an exciting time for the Club and I hope there is more to come!
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Joint-Chairman hails world class signing
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Sullivan believes the Club have signed a world class player after Dimitri Payet completed his move to the Boleyn Ground on Friday. Payet has signed for an eight figure sum and has agreed a five-year deal with the east London club. Mr Sullivan reveals that the France international was Slaven Bilic's first choice and they are thrilled to have beaten off interest from a number of top European clubs to sign him. Payet is rated one of the hottest properties in Europe and was one of the star players in the French League last season. Mr Sullivan has no doubts he will excite the West Ham United supporters next season and cannot wait to see him in action. Sullivan said: "We have signed a world class player. If he was 22 he would be £30m plus, but he's still in his prime. "His style of play will really excite the supporters. He plays the West Ham Way. "Slaven saw him as his number one target that we could afford - sadly Ronaldo and Messi were outside our budget at the moment!"
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Payet's playmaker plans
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's newest recruit Dimitri Payet hopes to run the show from midfield for the Hammers, laying on a hatful of goals for his frontmen in the process. The France international and former Marseille man was among Europe's chief providers last year, with 17 assists, seven goals and 134 key passes, and says he is expecting nothing less from himself in the Barclays Premier League. After putting pen to paper on a five-year deal on Friday, the 28-year-old told Hammers fans of the sort of midfield maestro they can look forward to watching. "I'd say I really like to organise the game," he explained. "That was my role last year at Marseille and to feed my attackers with good service so that they can score plenty of goals. "Now that I'm here that's what one expects of me and it's up to me carry on that same path as last year and to deliver or even to score a lot of goals. "I've seen that we have very good attackers and I've got to give them good service to keep them in the best possible shape."
Payet is travelling a well-trodden path from France's Ligue 1 to the Barclays Premier League and while he is under no illusions of what lies in store, he will be attacking England's top flight head on. He continued: "It is a challenge and an experience that I want to live, so it's up to me to prepare as best I can because the English championship is very different to the French league. But I'm excited and I'm looking forward to starting this adventure with West Ham. There is every chance that Payet's first taste of competitive action will come in UEFA Europa League, a competition that the Reunion-born winger knows well. West Ham's third summer recruit believes taking on the continent is where the Hammers should be setting their sights . European competition is very important in a club," he confirmed. "In the project that I've subscribed to at West Ham, I think Europe is very timely and we'll be trying to enjoy it this season."
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Andorra venue and ticket allocation confirmed
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have been allocated approximately 450 tickets for the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round second leg tie in Andorra.
The Hammers will tackle Primera Divisio runners-up FC Lusitans at the 1,300-capacity Estadia Comunal d'Andorra La Vella at 7.30pm local time (6.30pm UK time) on Thursday 9 July.
The 450 unreserved seats are priced at €45 (£32) per person, with no concessions, and are expected to sell out to Season Ticket Holders with a high number of Priority Points.
A no duplicate policy will be in operation, so all tickets will need to be sent via Special Delivery, which means a £6.95 postal fee will be added to all transactions.
Fans applying for tickets will also be required to provide their mode and route of travel to Andorra. The Club will not be running an official trip to this fixture.
Further information, including local transport advice and information about activities for fans to enjoy in Andorra applicable to those travelling to the game, will be provided.
Sale dates for West Ham's first competitive European tie in nine years are as follows:
Season Ticket Holder Priority Postal Deadline: 5pm Wednesday 1 July (for processing by 1pm Friday 3 July)
Bondholders: 9am Thursday 2 July
Due to demand, the Club does not expect this fixture to reach Academy Members or General Sale.
Priority Point application forms can be downloaded here.
Forms can be returned via email to priortypoints@westhamunited.co.uk, in person to the Ticket Office or by post to: Ticket office, Boleyn ground, Green Street, Upton Park, London. E13 9AZ
*Supporters should also note that, should the Hammers go through and Maltese clubs FC Birkirkara and Valetta both emerge victorious from their own UEFA Europa League first qualifying round ties, West Ham's visit to the Mediterranean island would be reversed.
Should Birkirkara overcome Ulisses FC of Armenia and Valetta defeat Newtown of Wales, West Ham will travel to Malta for the first leg on Thursday 16 July, with the return game at the Boleyn Ground on Thursday 23 July.
If Birkirkara win, but Valetta lose, the fixture will remain as per the original draw, with the first leg in east London and the second leg taking place in Malta.
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Bilic arrives in Ireland
WHUFC.com
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has arrived at his new team's pre-season training camp in Ireland. The Croat watched on as Academy Manager & Head of Coaching and Player Development Terry Westley put the squad through their paces as preparations continue for Thursday's visit of FC Lusitans in UEFA Europa League qualifying. Bilic is looking forward to getting started on the training pitch and he told whufc.com: "We have some players from the first team with us in Ireland and I am looking forward to seeing the youngsters too. "I can't wait to start working with them and then when the rest of the team start on Monday."
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Jack Sullivan Column
WHUFC.com
Jack Sullivan is the youngest son of West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Sullivan and is a huge Hammers fan. Jack will be giving his exclusive views to the official website in a regular new column...
Hello everyone,
What a day this has been for West Ham United. As I said in my first column I can't believe the players we have been targeting this summer and some names I never thought we would go for.
But my dad has been working hard day and night to ensure we get the best players to the Club and I am delighted that we have been to able to announce the signing of Dimitri Payet from Marseille.
He was one of the most creative wingers in the major European Leagues last season and I think it is an unbelievable signing.
I cannot wait to see him in action. He has everything to his game – pace, flair, can pass the ball and will add even more creativity to our team.
We have paid a hefty price for him and it shows the ambition and intent that the Club have got now.
Dimitri has seen the potential of the Club and our move into the new Stadium next summer. I think that is really helping us when we secure the signings of these big names.
My dad has told me you can really sell the dream to players and for some of them when they arrive in London, the new Stadium is one of the main attractions in the Capital.
I'm sure a lot of these players would have watched the Olympic Games and know what a massive stadium it could be to play in.
I think the next five-years could be massive for West Ham. Everything is growing and the whole Club is expanding.
Signing Alex Song last summer was a prime example and the fact that we were able to bring a world class midfielder to the Club.
Everything is huge and we are certainly going in the right direction. We are hoping for more new signings in the near future.
Even with injuries I think we have got a very good squad now and there is no reason why we should not be aiming for a top half finish next season.
There is so much competition for places. We have got people coming back from injury – Andy Carroll was a marquee signing and is coming back to fitness.
He will have to battle with Sakho, Valencia, Zarate and there could be more.
It is still early doors in the transfer market and we have still got plenty of time before the Premier League season gets underway.
I know Slaven went to see my dad at our house on Thursday and I was desperate to go and see him as I have yet to meet him.
I can sense the passion from him when he talks and he loves the West Ham fans. He is so pleased to be back.
The Europa League gets underway next week and I cannot wait for the competition to get underway. I have never seen West Ham play in Europe and I think this will be a very special season.
Ticket prices are cheap for the game and if you are missing football this is a great chance to see Premier League players back in action at the start of July.
Sadly this is going to be last season at the Boleyn Ground but I really hope it is going to be a memorable one.
I look forward to speaking with you all again soon.
Jack
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The Big Interview - Diego Poyet
WHUFC.com
It has been a short summer for everyone at West Ham United, but particularly for Diego Poyet, who was involved for Uruguay at the FIFA U20 World Cup. His team were unfortunate to lose at the last 16 stage to Brazil on penalties but the former Charlton youngster wants to use the experience to springboard into a positive season with the Hammers. We caught up with the No23 during the pre-season training camp in Ireland.
Diego, we're here in Cork for a training camp as we prepare for our Europa League campaign. It's been a short break for everybody, especially for you – there was only a week or so between the end of the U20s World Cup and your return. How have you got over that?
DP: "It's been tough. We lost to Brazil on penalties, but I knew I was going to have to come back early. From the end of last season we were told we might have an early start because of the Europa League and I'm fit and happy to be back with the boys and the team."
If we can talk about the World Cup a little, obviously penalties is a heartbreaking way to go out, but Uruguay did themselves proud at the tournament?
DP: "Yes, it was hard. From the teams who qualified we probably got the toughest draw. We had to play Brazil, who were one of the favourites and they went on to lose to Serbia in the final. We were unlucky with the draw. I know to win the tournament you're going to have to play against the best teams sooner rather than later. We got Brazil and we played a good game, but penalties – they scored all five and we missed one so that was it for us."
You lost to the eventual finalists, you beat the winners in the group stage. Was it a case of you feeling what might have been at the end of it?
DP: "Yes. Like all Uruguayan teams we were hard to beat. We didn't concede many goals and were in every game until the last ten minutes. The Brazil game, we kept it at 0-0. We had our chances and they had theirs, but there wasn't much between the teams. We beat Serbia in the opening game, and they went on to win the competition, which shows how tight it all was."
For yourself, before those friendlies at the end of the season for Uruguay, you hadn't played for them before. For it to all come together so quickly, with you playing your part in it – was that something that made you proud?
DP: "The team had to do quite well in the U20 Copa America, which was held in January, to qualify for the World Cup. They finished second, so there was already a team there formed which knew each other. In between that time and the World Cup, I'm grateful for how they received me and I felt part of the group right away. I came on in the first two games and the started the final group match and the Brazil game. The manager was pleased with how I did, but there was the disappointment of going out in the last 16 because we could have gone further."
You went to New Zealand with us last summer, you wouldn't have expected to go back there so soon again!
DP: "I didn't expect to be there twice in one year. For the first couple of days we stayed less than a minute from where we stayed and played our games. It was nice, because I was the only player from the squad who had been to New Zealand before so I showed them a couple of places that we had been the year before."
This camp here must be a good way of getting all that travelling out of your legs and getting ready for next season again?
DP: "From Uruguay to Auckland there was a lot of travelling, and then we had to change cities between games, which adds to the fatigue. I'm happy to be here. Obviously the flight from home to here was very short and now I'm raring to go. I can't wait to start."
It all gets underway next week with the Europa League. I guess it's a great chance to get some matches under your belt for the first team.
DP: "I didn't get the chance to play much last season, so hopefully if I get the chance I'll play and if it's the Europa League then great. We want to keep going forward, qualify and get through these first stages. All its going to do is help the Club and show what a good Club we are."
How much did you feel you learned last season, making your Premier League debut and playing in a few cup games as well?
DP: "I knew my first year was going to be tough. It was the first time I had the new club feeling. I had been at Charlton since I was 11 and was already training sometimes with the first team, so I had a lot of time to get used to it and get ready for the step up there. Last season was my first in the Premier League, a new team and everything, so I had to get used to it. I feel comfortable now and am ready to go. There's a new manager, it's exciting times for everyone at the Club. It's all really good at the moment."
With the new manager coming in, is having these games so early good, as it gives you an immediate chance to impress?
DP: "I think it is. People can impress in training but there's nothing like impressing with what you can do in games. That's what matters, so it's an opportunity for everyone, the Club and the fans to travel to Europe. It's a chance to play against some of the big clubs in Europe."
For that first game next week, I guess it's a bit of a step into the unknown. We don't know too much about the opposition so how do you approach those kind of games?
DP: "Just win. We need to win and I think everyone's pretty happy that the first leg is at home. The most important thing is to win these games, qualify, get to the group stage and then we'll see what group we get. For now we've got to concentrate on winning the game and playing well. It's still the first game of pre-season after just a week of training so we'll see how fit we are and how fit they are, but I'm sure we'll do well.
Personally, what targets have you set yourself for the year ahead?
DP: "Targets? I'll have to see. I haven't worked with the manager, I know things about him and have watched how his teams play, but he'll speak to the players and then we'll start to see the differences from the previous manager. It's all very exciting and new for everyone and it's a good time to be at the Club."
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Chadwell Chatter - Winston Reid
WHUFC.com
Hello everyone
Everything is going well. We had a bit of a short break and now we are getting back into it. I am fully fit now and have just come into the training ground to do a few things before we start again on Monday. Everyone is looking forward to working under the new manager. It is nice to have a fresh pair of eyes looking at everyone amd I'm sure it will be good for the Club.
Everyone is looking forward to working with him and the staff around him. He has managed at the top level for several clubs. I have met him briefly and he seems a really nice person. All the players are eager to come back and work with the new management and see what ideas they can put into the team. We will see how it goes. The Club needed to do this at this point of time and the Chairman have made that decision to bring someone else in. We are looking forward to having a fresh start. We play our first game in the Europa League next week and it will be good to have a good run in the competition. Hopefully we can use it to kick-start our season and get our fitness up nice and early. We will see where it takes us but I think the Club would like to get into the group stages and see how far we can go. If we can get off to the start like we had in the Premier League like last season up until Christmas it will be fantastic for us and we will see how far we can go. We will take it game by game.
See you all soon
Reidy
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Hammers to host German giants
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are pleased to confirm that German Bundesliga side Werder Bremen will visit the Boleyn Ground on Sunday 2 August. Viktor Skrypnyk's side will provide the opposition for the climax of the Hammers' pre-season schedule, providing a strong challenge for Slaven Bilic's squad ahead of the start of the 2015/16 Barclays Premier League campaign. West Ham kick-off the league season with a trip to Arsenal the following weekend and the new manager will be keen for his first-team players to gain valuable match-time when they host Werder at 3pm. Die Werderaner are one of Germany's most famous and historic clubs, having been formed in 1899, won the Bundesliga title four times and lifted the German Cup on six occasions. Ukrainian Skrypnyk led Werder to tenth in the Bundesliga last season and has put together a talented multi-national squad of players that includes Germany midfielder Clemens Fritz, Bosnia winger Izet Hajrovic, Austria wideman and reigning player of the year Zlatko Junuzovic, Czech Republic full-back Theodor Gebre Selassie, Argentina striker Franco Di Santo and DR Congo pair Assani Lukimaya and Cedric Makiadi.
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The fixture will mark the second time West Ham have faced Werder in the Club's history, the only previous meeting taking place at the Weserstadion on 14 August 1984. The German club ran out 2-1 winners on that occasion. The pair were scheduled to clash in a pre-season match at the Thermenstadion in Bad Waltersdorf, Austria, on 18 July 2009, only for the match to be postponed due to a heavily waterlogged pitch. Amazingly, Werder's visit will be first to east London by a German club since 14 April 1976 – the famous night when West Ham roared back to defeat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 to reach the European Cup Winners' Cup final 5-4 on aggregate. Tickets are on sale now to Season Ticket Holders and will go on General Sale from 9am on Thursday 2 July, with advance prices of £20 for Adults, Under-21s and Over-65s and £10 for Under-16s.
Matchday ticket prices have been set as £25 for Adults, Under-21s and Over-65s and £15 for Under-16s. Seats are available online or by telephone or by calling in person at the Betway Stand Ticket Office ahead of the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round first leg tie with FC Lusitans on 2 July.
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Dimitri Payet to join West Ham after passing medical
Last Updated: 26/06/15 11:40am
SSN
Sky sources understand Dimitri Payet will sign for West Ham on Friday after he passed his medical with the club ahead of a £10.7m move from Marseille. The French international will become the third signing at Upton Park this summer after midfielder Pedro Obiang and striker Martin Samuelsen agreed terms. Marseille have been reluctant to let Payet, 28, leave the Stade Velodrome but he is set to move having agreed personal terms in London. The former Nantes trainee will be available to make his debut for West Ham in their home Europa League qualifying tie with Andorran side FC Lusitans next Thursday.
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Zarate joins up with the Hammers in Cork
WHUFC.com
Mauro Zarate has joined up with the West Ham United squad in Ireland as they prepare for Thursday's visit of FC Lusitans. Zarate spent the second half of last season on loan at Queens Park Rangers but has now returned to the Hammers and will be looking to make his mark in the UEFA Europa League qualifying campaign. Day four in Cork started with a gym session for all players, as the squad worked on their strength and conditioning ahead of the big kick-off. They will return to the training pitch this afternoon as they continue to sharpen their skills.
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Dimitri Payet – Ten Fast Facts
WHUFC.com
Ten Fast Facts to help you get to know West Ham United's new France international midfielder Dimitri Payet!
Dimitri Payet has more than 117,000 Twitter followers. You can start following him now at @dimpayet17
Dimitri Payet's home island of Reunion is situated in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar and about 110 miles southwest of its nearest neighbour Mauritius. As a French overseas department, it is also the outermost region of the European Union.
Dimitri Payet won the 2004 Coupe de la Réunion, starting AS Excelsior's 2-1 win over US Stade Tamponnaise in the final.
Dimitri Payet initially signed for French side Nantes as an amateur in 2005, playing for the club's reserve team in the Championnat de France amateur, the fourth level of football in the country.
The midfielder has played in the UEFA Champions League on 15 occasions for two different clubs – Lille and Marseille.
Dimitri Payet made his senior France debut as a substitute in a 2-0 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying win over Romania on 9 October 2010.
Dimitri Payet and Morgan Amalfitano were both members of Marseille squad for a short period in summer 2014, prior to Amalfitano's move to West Ham United.
The 28-year-old chalked up a Ligue 1 high 17 assists in 36 appearances for Marseille in 2014/15.
Dimitri Payet received a statistically-calculated WhoScored.com rating of 7.62 last season – the fourth-highest individual rating of players in France's Ligue 1.
Dimitri Payet was voted into the Ligue 1 Team of the Year in both 2012/13 and 2014/15.
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West Ham Europa League opponents face 'impossible' task
BBC.co.uk
FC Lusitans face an "impossible" task when they meet West Ham in the first qualifying round of the Europa League, according to their general secretary. Diogo Fosta said he was "frozen" when his team were paired with the Hammers. Lusitans qualified for the Europa League by finishing second in the Andorran league, while West Ham topped the Premier League Fair Play table. "We are a humble team - not very famous. We are going to play against a millionaire team," said Fosta. Lusitanos - as they are more commonly known - were formed in 1999 and have won their domestic league twice. They are competing at this stage of the Europa League for the fifth time, but are yet to win a game. "We can't compare the teams," Fosta told BBC London 94.9. "We are very anxious to play in the Upton Park stadium. It is going to be a unique experience. We are very happy. "Just for the experience of a Premier League team, it is a great challenge for us. We can grow more with this experience and these opportunities."
The first leg will be played at Upton Park on 2 July, with the return leg on 9 July. They will be new Hammers manager Slaven Bilic's first competitive games in charge.
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West Ham closing in on Abdennour
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 26th June 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are getting close to completing what would be one of the summer transfer window's more notable signings. According to ESPN's David Amoyal, posting on Twitter this afternoon, the Hammers are close to landing central defender Aymen Abdennour - a player who has been linked with some of Europe's biggest clubs already this summer. KUMB revealed yesterday that West Ham had enquired after the 25-year-old Tunisian, who currently plays for Monaco. However United's chances of landing one of the continent's most-highly rated young defenders was thought to be slim, at best. With the likes of the Premier League's Liverpool, Serie A's Juventus and Milan plus La Liga's Barcelona already tracking Abdennour, any West Ham bid looked doomed from the offset. However Amoyal's latest snippet suggests the Hammers may well have made a breakthrough. More to follow on this as it happens...
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It's not about the money
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 26th June 2015
By: Staff Writer
Dimitri Payet says that it was West Ham's desire to sign him that persuaded him to leave Marseille. West Ham's latest signing, who had previously expressed a desire to remain in France checked into the Boleyn this morning for the first time since completing an estimated £10.7million switch from L'OM. And the 28-year-old attacking midfielder - who has signed a five-year contract with an option for a sixth season at the club - was keen to assure fans that he isn't simply in London for the vast financial reward a move to the Premier League entails. "West Ham really showed me that they wanted me to come, both the Joint-Chairmen and the manager," Payet told the club's website in his first interview since being confirmed as a Hammer. "That's very important for me. "I was also keen to sign up to a clear project. West Ham's is very interesting and matches perfectly with my ambitions. "Firstly I spoke with the manager, who had been watching me a lot really and wanted me to come here. He made it clear that he wanted me to sign - and that too was important in my choice. "It's true that it's taken a little while but that's normal, negotiations are like that. But now that it's done, I'm very happy."
Meanwhile David Sullivan, who promised an "eight-figure signing" at the weekend was naturally cock-a-hoop to land his man - even if the transfer fee for the French international remains officially 'undisclosed'."We have signed a world class player," he insisted. "If he was 22 he would be £30million plus, but he's still in his prime. "His style of play will really excite the supporters. He plays the West Ham Way. Slaven saw him as his number one target that we could afford - sadly Ronaldo and Messi are outside our budget at the moment!"
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West Ham linked with French Ligue 1 sensation - and it's not Dimitri Payet!
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 26th June 2015
By: Charlie Clark
A lot of column inches have been dedicated to Dimitri Payet recently and while the negotiations have finally been concluded, they have been described as being akin to 'pulling teeth'.
Recent reports however are linking us with another, lesser known player from the French League 1 - Claudio Beauvue, but who is he?
Like Dimitri Payet, he is not very tall at 5'7" and was a revelation in League 1 last year. At 27, he is a year younger but has not consistently hit the heights that Payet has, and hence the difference in prices being spoken of.
The two players offer different things though; while Payet is a creator, who can contribute some goals, Beauvue is a goalscorer who can contribute some assists. In the League, Payet scored seven goals and provided 16 decisive passes; Beauvue scored 17 goals and made three decisive passes.
Beauvue left his native Guadeloupe at the young age of 14 and joined up with USJA Carquefou, before signing up with the Nantes academy a year later. He actually played in the Nantes team together with Payet over the 2005-2006 season, but while Payet played two games and scored one goal, Beauvue didn't get a game; indeed, his career has been slower to take off.
He moved from Nantes to Troyes and made his first professional debut at the age of 19 in Ligue 2. He went on to make 65 appearances, over three years for the second division team, scoring six goals. From Troyes, he moved on to another second division team, Châteauroux, where he scored 16 goals in 18 months, earning him a loan up to the French first division with SC Bastia.
It was during this loan period that he was spotted by Guingamp, his current team, and was signed up to the first division team for a mere €300 000 (around £215 000). The previous president of Châteauroux, the team that sold him commented in France Football (18/02/2015) that 'a great error was committed by Châtearoux in this transfer' as no sell-on clause was inserted in the contract.
In 2013-2014, his first full season in Ligue 1, Guingamp laid the foundations for both him and the team to great success the following year. Beauvue managed five goals in 36 league matches and Chateauroux won the domestic cup, hence qualifying for the Europa League.
Last season therefore, Guingamp were actively fighting on three fronts: the league, the cup and the Europe League (much as West Ham hope to be next season!) They managed to get to the semi-final of the cup and the quarter finals of the Europa League, before getting knocked out by Dynamo Kiev, with an ex-Hammer, Rebrov, in charge.
Beauvue chalked up an impressive 27 goals in all competitions (five goals in the Europa League, five in the Cup and 17 in the league) and in doing so has very much put himself in a position to take a step up this summer.
LeMonde journalist, Yann Bouchez, stated in an article published on 19 February that the success of the Brittany club this past season was undeniably down to the "revelation" of Claudio Beauvue, ironically, for his size, dubbed "Air Beauvue" in reference to the basketball player Michael Jordan (thanks to his incredible spring, he scored over a third of his league goals last season with his head).
At the beginning of the year the French sport's paper l'Equipe, even started suggesting that Beauveau could be considered for the French national team. However, with established players such as Benzema, Giroud, Gignac, Remy, and Lacazette, the French national team has an abundance of talent in this position. If his flexibility were to be exploited, and he were to be employed in a wide position, he would still be up against the likes of Griezmann, Ribery and Valbuena though.
Indeed, his flexibility might be interesting for West Ham's new purported fluid system next season. Guingamp manager, Jocelyn Gourvennec, used Beauvue in no less than five different position over the course of the season: as a second striker, alone up top, attacking left and right midfield in a 4-3-3 or even out wide in a 4-4-2.
His manager has said of the player that he has made a lot of progress this last season because he listens, works hard and is very sensible off the pitch. The player says of himself that he 'can still progress, like a Didier Drogba, that has arrived late to the scene'.
He is contracted to Guingamp until June 2017, but offers have started being whispered about in the press. Lyon and Marseille have both been linked with the player, with figures of around €5m (£3.5m) being talked of. Encouragingly for West Ham, if indeed we are interested in him, the player has expressed a preference to play in the Premier League.
On Guingamp's supporters' forum (forum.eag.fr), while some have derided such a low transfer fee, others have justified it by the fact that last season was his best and so his consistency has not yet been proven.
Others mention the fact that he would 'surely score many more goals playing for a better team, with more possession of the ball,' and this is where the questions lie surrounding Claudio Beauvue; is he a one season wonder or is this just the beginning?
It is the Daves' that will need to sit down and take this decision with Bilic, but the potential certainly seems to be there, and he seems to be available at an attractive price, and willing to join the Premier League. If he does, let us hope that he'll be more of a Sakho than a Maiga. Incidentally, his hero is Thierry Henry!
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Early doors
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 23rd June 2015
By: Gary Portugal
Pre-season has not even begun yet, but in my judgement the club has made the right decision in letting Sam Allardyce go, and in replacing him with Slaven Bilic.
I feel that Sam had to go, and I also feel that Bilic was the best candidate that was realistically available. The decision to let Sam depart and to replace him with Bilic, is a risk. But life is a risk, albeit preferably a calculated one.
Staying with Allardyce would ALSO have been a risk, even if he had never taken a team down before. There is always a first time. The facts are that we were not just in relegation form, but bottom of the league form since January.
Fulham found out what can happen if you stick with a manager who has a poor second half of the season. They stuck with Martin Jol initially after a poor finish to the previous campaign and ended up starting the next season poorly, sacking Jol and ultimately going down. Had they replaced Jol before the new season started, perhaps things would have turned out differently.
People point to Allardyce as being a safe pair of hands. I have my doubts . I think we would have been at risk of relegation had Sam been given a new deal, even if it was a short term one.
To my mind, a black cloud has been lifted from the club. Things had simply gone too sour between Sam and EVERYBODY connected to the club. The owners, the fans, and even some of the players. Some players spoke out in Sam's defence, but I have doubts how heartfelt those comments were.
Allardyce is a man who thinks that he is always right and is rarely willing to take responsibility or be accountable for failure. It's always the fault of injuries, referees, players, the fans or unsympathetic owners. He's a man out of time, from a bygone era. Football has moved on, especially in the Premier League.
Can he still do a job somewhere? Perhaps , and if it were in the Championship, probably. But West Ham have outgrown his attitude, his personality and his approach to both football and frankly, life.
In the end I feel that the man's arrogance finally caught up with him. You can get away with it if you re sitting in fourth place. Not if you're sliding miserably down to 12th. The truth is, if the players really wanted him to stay, their feelings would have been reflected in performances and results on the pitch.
Downing and Song were a shadow of themselves in the second half of the season. Even Jenkinson and Cresswell performed less admirably in the back end of the season, even if they had good seasons overall. Valencia looked bereft of confidence. Amalfitano looked frozen out, as did Nene and Cole. Zarate was abandoned. Only Reid and Kouyate really seemed to have what I would call a strong second half of the season.
People will point to injuries, particularly those to Carroll and Sakho and one or of our centre backs. But all clubs have injuries and the good ones have players and managers who step up to the plate when the going gets tough.
Good managers are able to motivate their squads to battle through periods where key players are missing to injury. Allardyce never looked like motivating our squad in the second half of the season. On the contrary, players looked absolutely lacking in motivation, seeming not to care whether we reached 50 points or finished in the top half of the table or not.
Sam playing out his disagreement with the owners in public was completely inappropriate and served the club no good at all. Dirty laundry should remain private.
In terms of attracting good new players to the club, even with the prospect of the OS, it was always going to be a big ask for Allardyce given the unattractive style of his football and his tendency to stick with his favourites at the expense of other more deserving players.
Finally, you can't live your life in fear. People point to the curse of Allardyce leaving – that whatever he club he left went down afterwards . Are we supposed to be held to ransom to that?
To employ him for the next 20 years for fear of going down if we don't? If he was such a good manager , perhaps clubs wouldn't have gone down after he left, because he would have left them better prepared. Yes it was a risk to let Sam depart. But I think it is a risk that we had to take. And I will say that even if we go down this coming season.
As for the new 'kid' on the block, is it a risky appointment? Yes, of course it is.
He has no Premier League experience, didn t do brilliantly in Russia and although he did well in Turkey, could have done better. But I still back the appointment. None of the so-called big names bandied about were ever realistic options and one or two who might have been had no Premier League experience either. So Bilic is the best of who was genuinely available.
He did achieve some success with Croatia and in Turkey. He clearly has an affection for the club, having played for us, albeit briefly. He's younger than Allardyce and seemingly a better man manager, even if he may not be an absolute tactical genius. But I think being able to relate to and motivate players is critical, and I feel that Bilic will do that.
I also suspect that he will get on with the fans, which will be a breath of fresh air. It goes without saying that the football we play under Bilic will be a bit easier on the eye. I think it speaks volumes as well that despite rumors to the contrary, Carroll seems in no rush to go to Newcastle or anywhere else. Under Bilic , I suspect everyone will be given a fair chance , including players like Zarate and Amalifitano.
I also like that Bilic was a defender himself, so he will also take on board the importance of being solid at the back and trying to keep clean sheets and not just attractive football and entertainment. I feel that Bilic will attempt to strike a good balance between playing attacking football and defending well - something that in my estimation, Sam was unable to do.
In no way do I expect smooth sailing the first year, although I do expect a slight improvement both in terms of league position and points earned. Much will depend on how much of a toll a long season takes on us, with a squad that still might lack depth even with new signings.
I expect the football that we play will be unquestionably better to watch, and that our frailty towards the end of matches will be addressed in some fashion. But it will take time for new players to bed in and frankly, for the new manager to bed in. But I am cautiously optimistic for this coming season, if not looking for any miraculous move up the table.
I actually don't think it's such a bad thing to being playing away to Arsenal at the start of the season. It will focus minds and sometimes the big boys aren't at their sparkling best on day one.
The first four games will be an interesting test. Two winnable ones at home and two challenging ones away. But I suspect we will know a lot after those initial four games, even if it will still be early doors.
It's difficult to operate in any walk of life under a cloud and I feel that a cloud has been lifted with the resolution of our managerial situation. I think that we will get to where we want to be, gradually, and of course not without ups and downs. But I think that the journey will be better than it has been in recent years. Which is important.
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Dimitri Payet has joined West Ham from Marseille in £10.7m move
Last Updated: 26/06/15 5:45pm
SSN
Dimitri Payet has signed a five-year deal at West Ham, having been acquired from Marseille for £10.7m. The 28-year is an attacking midfielder who has been capped 15 times by France and has made a big impact in Ligue 1, having been born in the French island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean. Payet created more chances than any other player in Europe's top five leagues last season, setting up 135 opportunities for his team-mates, comfortably more than the likes of Lionel Messi, Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas, who all finished in the top six. Payet told the West Ham website: "West Ham really showed me that they wanted me to come, both the joint-chairmen (David Sullivan and David Gold) and the manager (Slaven Bilic). That's very important for me. "I was also keen to sign up to a clear project. West Ham's is very interesting and matches perfectly with my ambitions. "Firstly, I spoke with the manager, who really wished for me to come here and had been watching me a lot. He made it clear that he wanted me to sign and that too was important in my choice. "I'm an attacking footballer so for sure I like attacking football and that they're counting on me to help achieve that gives me a sense of responsibility. The fact that I'm here is also down to that. "I'm very happy to be here. It's true that it's taken a little while but that's normal, negotiations are like that. But now that it's done, I'm very happy."
Payet, whose deal includes an option for a further year, becomes the third signing at Upton Park this summer after midfielder Pedro Obiang and striker Martin Samuelsen agreed terms. The former Nantes trainee will be available to make his debut for West Ham in their home Europa League qualifying tie with Andorran side FC Lusitans next Thursday. Marseille were reluctant to let one of their key players leave and released a lengthy statement on Thursday in which they said it was "absolutely not their intention" to sell Payet but that they were forced to accept the offer from West Ham after a dispute with the player and his agent over a new deal.
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West Ham face Newcastle transfer battle over Monaco defender Aymen Abdennour
22:30, 26 JUNE 2015
BY DARREN LEWIS
A high-class centre-back is next on the Hammers' shopping list and they have failed to convince Atletico Madrid's Spurs wannabe Toby The Mirror
West Ham have moved to follow up their capture of Dimitri Payet with a £13.5million move for Monaco defender Aymen Abdennour. The ambitious Hammers are hoping to beat already-interested Newcastle, and a number of clubs across Europe, to the highly-rated 25-year-old centre-half. West Ham confirmed the £14m siging of Payet from Marseille and are now hunting a high-class centre-back ahead of the new season - which for them starts in the Europa League on Thursday night. The Upton Park club have failed in a bid to land Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld, who wants to go to Spurs after impressing last season on loan at Southampton. Meanwhile, Payet has vowed to become a serial thriller for Slaven Bilic's side in the Premier League next season. The 28-year-old set up more chances at Marseille last season than any other player across Europe's top five leagues. Payet said: "I'm an attacking footballer so for sure I like attacking football and that they're counting on me to help achieve that gives me a sense of responsibility. The fact that I'm here is also down to that. "I'm very happy to be here. It's true that it's taken a little while but that's normal, negotiations are like that. But now that it's done, I'm very happy."
West Ham joint-chairman David Sullivan said: ""We have signed a world class player. If he was 22 he would be £30m plus, but he's still in his prime. "His style of play will really excite the supporters. He plays The West Ham Way."
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Dimitri Payet has the ability to thrill West Ham supporters – if Slaven Bilic uses him in the right way
14:46, 26 June 2015
OPINION BY ANDREWGIBNEY
The winger often takes time to adapt to new surroundings, but his creativity could set the Premier League alight
The Mirror
West Ham United are no strangers to welcoming players with a bit of flair to the Boleyn Ground. Paolo Di Canio, Paulo Wanchope and Carlos Tevez were all fan favourites in east London and by signing Marseille's Dimitri Payet, new boss Slaven Bilic has added another player that has all the ability to become a star in the Premier League.
Payet signed for French champions Lille in the summer of 2011, but a knee injury and the form of another of West Ham's favourite sons, Joe Cole, put a dent in the Reunion-born attacker's development.
Cole made his debut against Saint-Etienne in Week 5 of the 2011/12 season, coming on for Payet after Lille's big-money signing failed to turn up against the club he had just left. The then 24-year-old would miss five weeks through injury and it wasn't really until March of 2012 that he managed to find form and fitness.
At the end of the campaign, Payet started nine of the last ten games, pushing Cole out of the starting XI. In that spell, he scored four of his six goals that season and added three assists. Back up to speed, it was clear that Payet was playing his way above Cole in the pecking order.
That has been the story of Payet's career so far. West Ham are his third different club in five seasons and the 28-year-old will hope he can find his feet a touch quicker than he did at Lille and Marseille.
After Cole's loan moved ended, Eden Hazard was next to leave Lille, and the keys were passed to Payet after just one season. He wouldn't let them down. Playing on the left of an attacking trio and with the freedom to come inside, he was deadly in either creating chances for himself or setting up his team-mates.
Although Les Dogues would finish in sixth place that season, the French international would end the season with 12 goals and 12 assists – meaning he was involved in 40 per cent of Lille's goals. That sparked a move to Marseille, but under both Elie Baup and Jose Anigo he failed to hit the same heights, with only four assists and eight goals to his name during his first season in the south of France.
Despite his success at Lille coming from playing on the left wing, he played mostly on the right at the Velodrome to accommodate Andre Ayew and Mathieu Valbuena. Although able to get to the by-line on his most natural foot, it took away his ability to burst into the middle and ask questions of Ligue 1 defenders.
Luckily for Payet, change came when Marseille appointed the madcap Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa last summer. The player has attributed his most productive season ever to his coach's philosophy; playing in the centre of Bielsa's 3-3-3-1 or 4-2-3-1 really helped him blossom into OM's most dangerous weapon.
Payet is quick on the break with the ball at his feet and has outstanding vision in the final third. He can shoot and pass on both sides and faced up with a defender, he has the ability to go past his man, even if he is not tricky in the Hazard mould.
His style is effective and minimalist. He is also unselfish: often, rather than shooting on sight, he is more likely to get his head up and find that killer pass.
Payet's performances under Bielsa have been nothing short of sensational. Even when Marseille flopped and struggled for form in patches, the forward continued to create chances – 135 to be precise, more than anyone else in any of the top five leagues in Europe.
There have been a few disciplinary issues over the past 12 months, but nothing that will worry Slaven Bilic. He was dropped in December and sent for any early holiday, with Bielsa citing a lack of the player applying himself in training. However, that comes on the back of Payet's work rate being praised by the coach earlier in the season.
Indeed, the forward was one of the first players to really buy into the new coach's methods – something that could help him quickly embed himself into Bilic's plans next season.
Moving to England will present Payet with a new set of issues to overcome. Hopefully, he will finally get over that first-season hump. At Lille, injuries and knee surgery stopped him from finding his top form until late in the season. At the Stade Velodrome, it's hard to blame the player for the failings of coaches who failed to use his talents in the most effective way.
Playing under Bilic will not daunt the French attacker; methods don't get stranger than Marcelo Bielsa's. Now, it is up to the staff at West Ham to make sure they use Payet in the right way and give him the freedom and creative licence to express himself in a similar manner that has helped him find his greatest ever return in Ligue 1.
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Lusitanos man "frozen" by Hammers draw
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 26, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
FC Lusitanos' general secretary admitted he was "frozen" when his team was paired with the Irons in the first qualifying round of the Europa League. Diogo Fosta – whose club qualified by finishing second in the Andorran league – said: "We are a humble team – not very famous. We are going to play against a millionaire team. Lusitanos are competing at this stage of the Europa League for the fifth time, but are yet to win a game. Fosta told BBC London 94.9 "We are a humble team – not very famous. We are going to play against a millionaire team. "We can't compare the teams. We are very anxious to play in the Upton Park stadium. It is going to be a unique experience. We are very happy. "Just for the experience of a Premier League team, it is a great challenge for us. We can grow more with this experience and these opportunities."
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Hammers allocated 450 seats in Andorra
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 26, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
West Ham United been allocated 450 tickets for the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round second leg tie in Andorra. The Hammers will tackle Primera Divisio runners-up FC Lusitans at the 1,300-capacity Estadia Comunal d'Andorra La Vella at 7.30pm local time (6.30pm UK time) on Thursday 9 July.
The Estadi Comunal d'Andorra la Vella is a small football stadium in Andorra la Vella, the capital of Andorra. The stadium also has a running track. The Estadi Comunal d'Andorra la Vella and the Camp d'Esports d'Aixovall together host all games from Andorra's two highest football competitions, the Primera Divisió and the Segona Divisió. The 450 unreserved seats are priced at €45 (£32) per person.
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Hammers linked with £12.75m bid for defender
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 26, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
According to Sky Italia West Ham have made a €18m (£12.75m) offer for Monoco defender Aymen Abdennour. David Amoyal who writes for gianlucadimarzio.com adds "When Monaco played at Juve Stadium in Champions League, Abdennour was the player that impressed Serie A scouts the most. West Ham close to getting him" His agent has previously confirmed numerous clubs that have expressed interest in the player's services this summer. The agent believes Monaco are unlikely to come in the way of Abdennour's departure, with Liverpool, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Barcelona and West Ham said to be interested in signing him. "There are clubs who have approached us and who will enter into contact with Monaco," his agent Abdelkader Jilani told Foot Mercato. The Tunisia defender has been in brilliant form this season, notably during their game against Arsenal at in the Champions League, restricting the Gunners to a solitary goal, which helped them secure qualification into the quarter-final stage of Europe's top tournament.
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'Payet to West Ham is embarrassing for France'
Goal.com
By Alec Fenn1
26 Jun 2015 23:35:00
Noel Le Graet, the president of the French Football Federation, has lamented the loss of another big name to the Premier League and called on PSG to help solve the problem Dimitri Payet's move from Marseille to West Ham has been branded "embarrassing" by the president of France's Football Federation. The 28-year-old completed a £10.7 million move to Upton Park on Friday and is the latest big name to leave Ligue 1 for the Premier League following Andre Ayew's move to Swansea City. And Noel Le Graet says the financial clout of England's biggest clubs is detrimental to the French game. "It's always embarrassing," Le Graet said to Le Parisien. "PSG have a role to play though, as do Monaco. I would prefer that our big clubs, with strong economic situations, were interested in French internationals.
"I dream to see half of the team at PSG consisting of French players. It would be better for everyone and feed the market. With the values, we could have a competitive team. "If we got more money from our television companies, we could be more intelligent. But they don't give us a lot - it is a joke because we are close to the level of the leagues in Italy and Germany. "There is already an attraction to English football because of the money. Now a zero is added to the wages of our young players when they cross the channel and that's not about to change. "There's nothing we can do for the next three or four years. The French model must be stronger economically. We need more leaders on the marketing and business side of the game in France, which has been neglected."
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Sunderland locked in Stewart Downing talks – but any deal is still a long way off
Sunderland Echo
Sunderland are in talks with West Ham over signing England ace Stewart Downing – but any deal remains some way off.
The Black Cats are keen to add a winger to their squad this summer and Downing is high on their shortlist.
The former Middlesbrough star is believed to be keen on a return to the North East.
However, Sunderland are still some way from completing a deal, with discussions only at an early stage.
Downing could be available for around £6million but must wait to see if he Is part of new Hammers boss Slaven Bilic's plans. The arrival of Marseille's France international Dimitri Payet on a five-year contract could put pressure on Downing's place.
The 30-year-old enjoyed a renaissance last season, and forced his way back into the England squad after more than a two-year absence, playing against Scotland in November's friendly at Celtic Park.
It was Downing's 35th cap, and he operated in an central role, rather than on the flanks after impressing for West Ham in that position in the early part of the season.
His versatility is an attraction for Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat, who wants to add more creativity to the Black Cats' midfield, both centrally and in the wide areas.
Will Buckley has failed to impress, while Adam Johnson's future remains uncertain.
Connor Wickham and Jermain Defoe were also used on the left wing last season, but neither would be as comfortable there as Downing.
The Teessider had a spell on loan at Sunderland in 2003, and was an instant hit with three goals in seven appearances.
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SHEP: Sorry Bonzo…sorry Dev
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 26, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
Frank McAvennie got many Claret and Hugh followers vote as the club's best ever summer signing in the wake of my Thursday column. But I was pulled up by some readers who chastised me for failing even to mention some other outsanding "summer" signings the club made down the years. I did volunteer that I had not trawled through all the record books and was working off instinct so there were bound to be some glaring omissions. Oh Boy I was right.
And as much as I will stand by the case the huge "overnight" impact McAvennie made when it comes to longevity and class then there are I agree with those fans who berated two outstanding examples.
Their names : Billy Bonds and Alan Devonshire.
Bonzo was of course signed in 1967 for a mere £50,000 and became one of the greatest players in the club history registering the most appearances (793) and lifting the FA Cup twice as skipper. But sorry to be a pedant here Bonzo moved from Charlton to the Hammers in |May 1967 just before the summer recess. Then there was Devonshire. Devo was signed for a mere £5,000 from non league Southall and became one of the most thrilling players I've ever seen play for the Hammers. Don't like to split hairs here again but Devo arrived in early October according the record books. I take the point though. The counter debate of course who is the clubs WORST ever summer signing ?
Surely that is just a straight debate between Joey Beauchamp and Marco Boogers. Any other takers ?
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Barcelona open to Free Transfer fo Song
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 25, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
According to Matt Law in the Daily Telegraph West Ham are edging towards agreeing a deal with Barcelona to sign Alex Song on a permanent deal. Barcelona originally demanded £5m from West Ham but the Telegraph say they understand the Spanish club are now open to the idea of allowing the midfielder to leave on a free transfer. West Ham are prepared to match his £70,000-a-week wages, but are haggling over performance-related bonuses Barcelona want included in the deal. On Thursday, Song posted a picture on Instagram of himself outside West Ham's Chadwell Heath training ground, where the Telegraph say he was receiving treatment on an injury. Jack Sullivan's cryptic tweet earlier suggested more than one player was undergoing medical and speculation suggests medicals will carried out on both Dimitri Payet and Alex Song.
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Monaco defender link
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 26, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
Get French Football News claim that Monaco defender Aymen Abdennour is wanted by Liverpool, Newcastle and West Ham. They claim he is enthused by these two suitors because of Liverpool's European status and the West Ham's location in London. Today, Foot Mercato claim that the Magpies have made an opening bid for the player worth €17m. They claim that a deal for €20m will be enough for a side that Abdennour is actually interested in joining, whereas Monaco want a deal which totals at €30m if they are to part with the player this summer. The story was enough for the club's ITK to mention it without denying the story. Boleyn Insider said There have also been reports linking West Ham with Monaco defender Aymen Abdennour. My sources have told me that they are looking at a number of other top class players but they cannot say anymore at this stage as it will make other Clubs aware of our targets."
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David Gold: 'Don't go back to sleep'
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 26, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
West Ham Chairman David Gold has hinted at an exciting announcement today after tweeting 'Don't go back to sleep dg' at 6.45am this Friday morning. The tongue in cheek reference makes fun of a previous tweet he sent in the January transfer window when he said 'Don't go to bed dg' on transfer deadline day. We wait with anticipation but the question remains will be an announcement of a single or double signing. Speculation suggests it could be a double announcement for Marseille play maker Dimitri Payet and Barcelona midfielder Alex Song.
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Liverpool, West Ham and Arsenal ROCKED as Barca line up swap deal for Mateo Kovacic
Express.co.uk
BARCELONA are reportedly in talks with Inter over a deal that would send Mateo Kovacic to Barcelona in exchange for Alex Song and Martin Montoya.
By BEN JEFFERSON
PUBLISHED: 00:00, Fri, Jun 26, 2015 | UPDATED: 06:43, Fri, Jun 26, 2015
Kovacic has been linked with a move to Liverpool after Inter's signing of Geoffrey Kondogbia. But Barca are also thought to be keen on the Croatian starlet and have now held talks over a move, according to reports in Spain. Mundo Deportivo suggest Barca sporting director Ariedo Braida travelled to Italy last week to discuss a move for Juventus star Paul Pogba. But it is claimed that he also met Inter counterpart Marco Fassone on his travels to put a framework in place for Kovacic. A swap deal involving both Song - who was thought to be close to joining West Ham - and Montoya - a target for Arsenal - was reportedly discussed. The Catalan club are not able to sign anyone until January due a transfer embargo, but can still send players out before that time.
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West Ham hope to finalise deal for Alex Song after sealing Dimitri Payet transfer
By SIMON JONES FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 22:41, 25 June 2015 | UPDATED: 01:59, 26 June 2015
West Ham are looking to secure a cut-price swoop for Barcelona midfielder Alex Song after closing a deal for Dimitri Payet. Marseille winger Payet flew in on Thursday to complete his medical ahead of a proposed £10.7million transfer and West Ham now want to finalise terms with Barcelona for Song. They also want either Loic Remy from Chelsea or Newcastle target Charlie Austin of QPR. 27-year-old Song impressed last season although his form dipped in the latter stages. He has had interest from AC Milan and Inter, while Chelsea and Manchester City have also discussed his merits due to his homegrown status. Song could be allowed out on another loan but Barca would prefer to sell.
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George Graham suggests question mark is hanging over Bilic at West Ham
HITC
Lewis Doe
Former Arsenal and Spurs boss George Graham has suggested that West Ham have taken a risk over Slaven Bilic. Former Arsenal and Tottenham manager George Graham told talkSPORT he feels there is still a question mark over the manager at West Ham, despite the appointment of Slaven Bilic. Bilic would appear to be a very sensible appointment by the West Ham board, as they look to move forward under the guidance of an experienced ex-player, who has always been popular with the club's fans. However, Graham still feels it's a risk because of the reliability that old boss Sam Allardyce represented in terms of the side staying in the Premier League. "I think so (Bilic a gamble) – Whatever any one says, Sam was solid – Teams like West Ham must stay in the Premier League now," he told talkSPORT. "It's a big move to get rid of Sam and get this new guy in and I think he's got a lack of Premier League experience – Whether it will work out, there's a question mark over that one for me."
Why is Premier League survival and status so important?
There is a £5 billion TV deal just around the corner, detailed by the Daily Mirror, which is the biggest since the division was established and the Hammers need to be part of that.
It's also a platform, which will allow the club's support base to boom as the Hammers prepare for life in the Olympic Stadium at Stratford. West Ham will be in a much better position to cash in on the increased capacity of the Olympic Stadium after the coming season, if they are a Premier League club. It's also a platform, which Bilic would argue helps West Ham's players to improve their quality because it exposes them to a very high level of competition, which can't be replicated outside of the top flight.
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Sunderland reportedly still chasing Downing as Payet approaches West Ham arrival
HITC
Che Thomas
The West Ham winger is being chased by the Black Cats who are looking to improve their squad before the new season. Sunderland are still keen to bring Stewart Downing back to the North East this summer according to the Chronicle, as West Ham continue to chase Marseille star Dimitri Payet. The Chronicle say that Dick Advocaat and the Black Cats are set to return to a player who made his name at nearby Middlesbrough, despite the fact the England winger has been a vital player for the Hammers since joining in 2013. Downing actually took in a short spell at Sunderland earlier on in his career, when he played 7 games and scored 3 times at the Stadium of Light, and with a bid of £5 million having been turned down according to the report, the Black Cats are set to come back in with a £7 million attempt to acquire the player. However, whether that is enough to Downing depends on the player the Chronicle say, with their sources stating that he might want to stay and fight for his place even if Payet arrives this summer.
A North-East England favourite
No player from the three North-East cities of Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough has made more England appearances than the West Ham winger since Alan Shearer retired in 2000.
Downing has 35 England caps, and has played for his country for nearly nine years without ever really nailing down a permanent role in the starting eleven. He was recalled to the squad earlier last season after a superb beginning to the campaign, and the 30-year-old went on to have one of his best years in a long time, scoring 6 goals and assisting 8 in 37 league matches.
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Diego Poyet determined to impress new West Ham boss Slaven Bilic
HITC
Subhankar Mondal
Diego Poyet hopes to get his chances for West Ham United next season. West Ham United midfielder Diego Poyet has told the club's official website that he is looking to impress new manager Slaven Bilic in the coming days. Poyet joined the Hammers from London rivals Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2014. The 20-year-old played on loan for Championship outfit Huddersfield Town for a short spell during the 2014-15 campaign. The Uruguay Under-20 international could make just three Premier League appearances for West Ham, creating one chance and having a pass accuracy of 91% in the process. Poyet has said that he is looking to impress Bilic during pre-season and also hopes to play in the Europa League qualifiers. "People can impress in training but there's nothing like impressing with what you can do in games," the youngster told West Ham's official website. "That's what matters, so it's an opportunity for everyone, the club and the fans to travel to Europe. It's a chance to play against some of the big clubs in Europe."
When asked about his personal targets for the 2015-16 campaign, Poyet said: "Targets? I'll have to see. "I haven't worked with the manager, I know things about him and have watched how his teams play, but he'll speak to the players and then we'll start to see the differences from the previous manager. It's all very exciting and new for everyone and it's a good time to be at the club."
West Ham will be taking the Europa League seriously, but one suspects that new manager Bilic will give chances to youngsters. Poyet is a talented young player who can only improve and develop if he is given regular first-team chances. It will not be easy for the Uruguayan, though, which means that he has to make the most of the chances he will be offered initially.
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Bilic to meet players for first time
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 26, 2015 in News, Whispers
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New Hammers manager Slaven Bilic will meet the West Ham players for the first time in Cork, Ireland today. The 46 year manager will fly out to Ireland this morning to join the training camp. The 25 man squad is spending a week in the five star Fota Island Golf Resort. The squad have been put through their paces this week in intense sessions on the pitches, gym work as well as hydrotherapy pool therapy.
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Hammers Injury update
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 26, 2015 in News, Whispers
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Head of Medical and Sports Science, Stijn Vandenbroucke has updated the club's official about the state of fitness of the squad ahead of our opening Europa league game next Thursday. Stijn explains that Diafra Sakho, Doneil Henry and James Tomkins are all in full training and Andy Carroll is getting close to his comeback. Andy is training on the pitch, building up his fitness and will join the team in the next few weeks James , Diafra and Doneil have joined the training camp in Cork, Ireland and have been working well over the off-season, a balance between rest and fitness work. He finishes by saying "We are training very well and have no injuries in the group, working hard towards the game next week."
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Report: Newcastle make £12m bid for Aymen Abdennour
HITC
Subhankar Mondal
Newcastle United, West Ham United and Liverpool are all reportedly interested in AS Monaco defender Aymen Abdennour. Newcastle United have made a bid of €17 million (£12m) for AS Monaco defender Aymen Abdennour, according to Foot Mercato. However, the Magpies are not the only club interested in recruiting the 25-year-old centre-back this summer. Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Liverpool are all keen on signing the Tunisia international, according to the report. Italian giants Juventus and AC Milan are also showing interest in Abdennour, according to Foot Mercato.
Newcastle's problem
With so many clubs interested in Abdennour, it is clear that the Monaco defender will choose the team who will make the most convincing offer. Of course, the Ligue 1 outfit will have a say, but it is likely that the former Toulouse star will make the final decision. Despite Newcastle's keenness on the player, they could miss out due to the pedigree of the clubs who are interested in him. Both Juventus and Milan are much bigger clubs than Newcastle, while the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham will offer Abdennour a chance to compete for trophies and play in the Champions League in the coming years.
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Ex-Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen aiming to extend his playing career
Marc Iles, chief football writer / Thursday 18 June 2015 / Bolton Wanderers
Thursday 18 June 2015
JUSSI Jaaskelainen is looking to extend his playing career in the North West next season. The Wanderers legend, third in the all-time list of appearance makers with 530 games, is on the lookout for a new club after being released at West Ham United. Jaaskelainen left Wanderers in 2012 after 15 years of service, playing for another three years in the Premier League with the Hammers under his old boss Sam Allardyce. Although he turned 40 in April, his friend and long-time coach Fred Barber believes he is in good enough shape to continue playing for some time yet. And the former Whites goalkeeping guru is heading to Bolton in the next couple of weeks to help Jaaskelainen get as sharp as he can, albeit in rather unfamiliar surroundings.
"I'm coming up soon to help him do some training," Barber told The Bolton News. "He's 40 but now I saw him recently and he's in great condition. "He was going to head towards me in Stoke but I was a bit worried we'd have nowhere to set-up. But Jussi just said 'come up here, I've got some goals in my back garden, we'll do it here! "That's just like him. He's not going to sit around and wait for someone to invite him to come and play. He's not going to lounge around."
Since Jaaskelainen's release at Upton Park, there has been a clamour among some Wanderers fans to see him end his career at the club, especially as his son Will is already in the youth team ranks. As romantic a notion as that would be, it currently seems unlikely. Ben Amos is almost certain to start the season as Neil Lennon's number one, leaving the manager looking for cover after losing Adam Bogdan and Andy Lonergan this summer. There are also doubts over whether Wanderers could afford to sign Jaaskelainen again given the very different financial landscape which now exists compared to the club he left behind three years ago. Barber does not see money as an issue – but reckons Jaaskelainen is a good few years from hanging up his gloves for good. "I think Jussi has had time away and just wants to get back playing again," he said. "He's virtually had a year out at West Ham but he looks hungry and wants to get back into the game "I think he's at the stage where he knows he might have to go in and challenge someone. I'd never say he'd be content sitting on the bench but he's realistic."I think he could go on for another three years if he can stay in this type of shape."
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'It was tough' forgotten West Ham signing desperate to make impression at Upton Park
London 24
09:54 26 June 2015 Brad Pinard
West Ham midfielder Diego Poyet admits his first season at Upton Park was tough but he is keen to make amends next term. The Uruguay youngster signed on a free from Charlton last summer but was unable to break into Sam Allardyce's first team despite making his Premier League debut away at Manchester United. After arriving back at pre-season training just days after ending his Under-20 World Cup adventure with Uruguay, Poyet is showing commitment that could impress new manager Slaven Bilic. "I didn't get the chance to play much last season, so hopefully if I get the chance I'll play and if it's the Europa League then great. "We want to keep going forward, qualify and get through these first stages. All its going to do is help the Club and show what a good Club we are." "I knew my first year was going to be tough. It was the first time I had the new club feeling. I had been at Charlton since I was 11 and was already training sometimes with the first team, so I had a lot of time to get used to it and get ready for the step up there. "Last season was my first in the Premier League, a new team and everything, so I had to get used to it. I feel comfortable now and am ready to go. There's a new manager, it's exciting times for everyone at the Club. It's all really good at the moment." "I think it is. People can impress in training but there's nothing like impressing with what you can do in games. That's what matters, so it's an opportunity for everyone, the Club and the fans to travel to Europe. It's a chance to play against some of the big clubs in Europe." West Ham take on Lusitanos of Andorra next Thursday as they kick off their Europa League season.
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Sunderland step up interest in West Ham midfielder Stewart Downing
England international expected to return to his native north-east this summer and is interested in move to Stadium of Light
Telegraph.co.uk
By Luke Edwards9:55AM BST 26 Jun 2015 CommentsComment
Sunderland will step up their interest in West Ham's Stewart Downing, but have not made a bid for PSV Eindhoven midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum. Downing is expected to leave London this summer and is interested in a return to his native north-east. Although his former club Middlesbrough are also keen to sign the England international, the 30-year-old would rather stay in the Premier League and Sunderland are the favourites to sign him at this stage. Downing started last season superbly for West Ham and forced his way back into the England squad, but his influence waned as the club's' season imploded. With Sam Allardyce also leaving as manager at the end of the season, Downing is receptive to the idea of moving back closer to his family.
Should Sunderland complete the signing of Downing when the transfer window opens next week, it will take the number of former Middlesbrough Academy graduates in their squad to four alongside Lee Cattermole, Danny Graham and Adam Johnson. Sunderland's Director of Football Lee Congerton has drawn up a list of potential targets and has discussed them with head coach Dick Advocaat. But the club are wary of being used by agents, as they have been in the past, when their interest has been leaked by agents in the hope of sparking interest elsewhere.
That appears to have been the case with Holland international Wijnaldum, with inaccurate reports claiming earlier this week that they have bid £11m for the midfielder.
Sunderland are tracking the player, but they accept there are bigger clubs interested in the 24-year-old and do not believe they are favourites to sign the Eredivisie player of the year.
Sunderland have promised Advocaat there will be significant money to spend this summer and their interest in Wijnaldum is a sign of their boldness, but Downing is far more likely to become the club's first signing of the summer.
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West Ham put timescale on Andy Carroll's return to full training as Hammers prepare for Europa League
London 24
10:28 26 June 2015 Brad Pinard
West Ham striker Andy Carroll is set to rejoin first team training in 'the next few weeks' ahead of another injury comeback. The former Newcastle and Liverpool man has been out since the start of February with a knee injury and underwent successful surgery four months ago. Having returned to the training ground early in the summer to work on his rehab, the striker is now hoping to return to full training before the start of the Premier League season. "It has been a busy time during the off season and at the start of pre-season," Head of Medical and Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke told the club's official site. "The positive news is that Diafra Sakho, Doneil Henry and James Tomkins are training and Andy Carroll is getting close to his comeback. "Andy is training on the pitch, building up his fitness and will join the team in the next few weeks." West Ham face Lusitanos in their first Europa League clash next Thursday and Slaven Bilic could select a young squad for the seemingly straight forward opening season clash.
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Reid: "We are looking forward to a fresh start"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 26, 2015 in News, Whispers
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Winston Reid has admitted that everybody "is looking forward to working under the new manager." And speaking to the official site he added: "It is nice to have a fresh pair of eyes looking at everyone and I'm sure it will be good for the Club." Reid said: "He has managed at the top level for several clubs. I have met him briefly and he seems a really nice person. "All the players are eager to come back and work with the new management and see what ideas they can put into the team. We will see how it goes. "The Club needed to do this at this point of time and the Chairman have made that decision to bring someone else in. We are looking forward to having a fresh start."
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Ray Parlour suggests Andy Carroll could thrive under Slaven Bilic
HITC
Lewis Doe
Ex-Gunner Ray Parlour feels West Ham United striker Andy Carroll could become a key feature of the team under Slaven Bilic. Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour suggested on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast Show for talkSPORT, that Slaven Bilic could make striker Andy Carroll a key feature of his team. Carroll struggled with injury under Sam Allardyce last season and Parlour suggests that the forward has the characteristics to be what he would consider a Slaven Bilic type of player. "He's definitely an outlet and Bilic will be looking forward to working with him because he could be a Bilic sort of player. They've got to back him because he's a handful," said Parlour on talkSPORT. "If he can get fit and stay fit, he can really help the players behind him as well, with the way he holds the ball up, the way he wins headers, people from midfield can run onto it."
What's the value in Bilic using Carroll?
The value is that Carroll's size, presence and aggression means he's always got that potential to be able to occupy both opposition centre backs. As Parlour told talkSPORT, that creates opportunities for players to control and influence games from midfield whether they are running beyond him or putting the service into him. What Bilic will likely play on with Carroll is what makes him unique and he could look to get inside his mind-set, challenging the player to really prosper in terms of his style.
The risk Bilic must consider
What Bilic can't do is gamble with Carroll's fitness. It will be tempting for him to throw him into the team as quickly as possible once the competitive action gets underway. However, he could be rusty due to the break over the summer, but he does offer a direct option and a simple way of attacking, while Bilic works out a more sophisticated approach which he feels is suited to the squad.
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Southampton heavily backed to beat West Ham, Newcastle and Crystal Palace to Yohan Cabaye
London 24
13:49 26 June 2015 Brad Pinard
Southampton have been backed into odds-on to sign Yohan Cabaye this summer. The France international looked set to be on his way to London, with West Ham, Crystal Palace, Spurs and Arsenal all reportedly keen, but it seems the South Coast is not he likely destination. Alan Pardew's relationship with the playmaker from Newcastle had been tipped to edge Palace in the market, however finances will dictate and the Eagles can't yet compete with the big boys in Europe. PSG reportedly want more than £10million for Cabaye who has failed to hit the ground running since his move from the Toon 18 months ago. With the European Championship's a year away, Cabaye wants to force his way into the France team and sitting on the bench for PSG will do him no favours. SkyBet have dropped their odds on Southampton signing Cabaye to below evens after a run of bets.
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Dimitri Payet first quotes
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 26, 2015 in News, Whispers
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"West Ham really showed me that they wanted me to come, both the Joint-Chairmen and the manager," Payet told whufc.com. "That's very important for me. I was also keen to sign up to a clear project. West Ham's is very interesting and matches perfectly with my ambitions. ""Firstly I spoke with the manager, who really wished for me to come here and had been watching me a lot. He made it clear that he wanted me to sign and that too was important in my choice.
"I'm an attacking footballer so for sure I like attacking football and that they're counting on me to help achieve that gives me a sense of responsibility. The fact that I'm here is also down to that." "I'm very happy to be here. It's true that it's taken a little while but that's normal, negotiations are like that. But now that it's done, I'm very happy."
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Official: Dimitri Payet is a Hammer
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 26, 2015 in News, Whispers
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Maybe some what of an anti climax after so much speculation but West Ham United have finally officially announced the signing of 28 year French International Dimitri Payet from Marseille on a five year deal for a fee believed to be £10.7m. He becomes the third signing of the summer following the arrival of Darren Randolph and Pedro Obiang. Payet has been capped 15 times for France and scored 7 goals and made 17 assists for Marseille last season. The club website announced "West Ham United are delighted to confirm the signing of the exceptional France international Dimitri Payet."The outstanding 28-year-old joins the Hammers on a five-year contract, with a further one-year option, for an undisclosed eight-figure fee from French Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille.
Welcome to West Ham Dimitri!
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West Ham complete signing of Marseille forward Dimitri Payet
The Guardian00
Nick Ames
Friday 26 June 2015 14.35 BST Last modified on Friday 26 June 2015 14.36 BST
West Ham have completed the signing of the Marseille forward Dimitri Payet for a fee believed to be £10.7m. The club announced on Friday afternoon that Payet, 28, has signed a five-year deal with a further one-year option and becomes the second major addition to the playing squad under their new manager, Slaven Bilic. "West Ham really showed me that they wanted me to come, both the joint-chairmen [David Gold and David Sullivan] and the manager," Poyet told the club's website. "That's very important for me. I was also keen to sign up to a clear project. West Ham's is very interesting and matches perfectly with my ambitions. "Firstly I spoke with the manager, who really wished for me to come here and had been watching me a lot. He made it clear that he wanted me to sign and that too was important in my choice. "I'm an attacking footballer so for sure I like attacking football and that they're counting on me to help achieve that gives me a sense of responsibility. The fact that I'm here is also down to that. I'm very happy to be here. It's true that it's taken a little while but that's normal, negotiations are like that. But now that it's done, I'm very happy."
The versatile Payet topped the Ligue 1 assist charts last season with 16 in 36 appearances, also scoring seven goals. He can play in a number of attacking positions, adding important depth and variation to a front line that was exposed by injuries and loss of form in the second half of last season. Payet, who spent two seasons at Marseille after representing Nantes, Saint-Étienne and Lille, has 15 full caps for France and started in their most recent fixture, a 1-0 friendly defeat in Albania earlier this month. The arrival of Payet, who was born in the French Indian Ocean department of Réunion, follows that of the Sampdoria midfielder Pedro Obiang. It remains to be seen whether either will be involved in West Ham's first match of the 2015-16 season, a Europa League first qualifying round, first leg fixture against the Andorran side FC Lusitans on 2 July.
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West Ham sign Dimitri Payet: Winger hails Hammers as the 'perfect' match for him
RICHARD PARRY
Published: 26 June 2015 Updated: 14:54, 26 June 2015
West Ham have completed the signing of Dimitri Payet from Ligue 1 side Marseille. Payet, 28, has signed a five-year contract with the Hammers, for a fee believed to be £12 million.
The France international underwent a medical at the club's training ground on Friday before completing his switch to East London, and becomes the club's third signing of the summer following the arrivals of Spanish midfielder Pedro Obiang and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph. In a statement released on the club's website, Payet said: "West Ham really showed me that they wanted me to come, both the Joint-Chairmen and the manager." "That's very important for me. I was also keen to sign up to a clear project. West Ham's is very interesting and matches perfectly with my ambitions. "Firstly I spoke with the manager, who really wished for me to come here and had been watching me a lot. He made it clear that he wanted me to sign and that too was important in my choice. "I'm an attacking footballer so for sure I like attacking football and that they're counting on me to help achieve that gives me a sense of responsibility. The fact that I'm here is also down to that. "I'm very happy to be here. It's true that it's taken a little while but that's normal, negotiations are like that. But now that it's done, I'm very happy." Payet, who has 14 senior caps for France, had been offered an improved deal to remain at Marseille but it is understood he and his family were keen to move.
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