Daily WHUFC News - 16th July 2015

The Big Interview - Carl Jenkinson
Wednesday 15 Jul Updated Wednesday 15 Jul 07:00
WHUFC.com

Carl Jenkinson joined West Ham United for a second loan spell this week and immediately laid out his plans to build on the first. Having experienced a full season of first team football for the first time in his career last term, the England international is thrilled to have the chance to show what he can do again in a claret and blue shirt.

Carl, how happy are you to be back?

CJ: "I'm really happy to be back after last year," he said. "It was a good season for the Club and a good season for myself.

"To be honest I just wanted to come back here and I'm happy everything's been sorted out. I've got another season here and I can't wait.

Having been here for a year already, you know exactly what you're coming back into…

CJ: "I'm a young player and I haven't had too many experiences of different clubs, but I loved every minute of it here. Everything about it is fantastic - it's a real family Club, the lads are great and the fans are great, so it ticks all the boxes you want when you join a football Club."

We've got a new manager in place now. How much do you know about him?

CJ: "I've seen what the manager has done in the past and he's done great things with the Croatia national team and the other clubs he's been, so he's a proven manager.

"I've got to come in, show what I can do and prove myself to a new manager. That keeps you on your toes and I've got to go and do that in pre-season. I'm looking forward to it.

"I know from speaking to the boss on the phone about the style of football, how he wants to play and his philosophy. That was an attractive thing for me and that's one of the reasons I signed here as well - he sounds like a guy who's going to be a great manager and I'm glad to be a part of that."

You started over 30 games last season. Presumably the aim is to nail down that right back slot again?

CJ: "I just want to play as much football as I can. To be honest, last season was the first I played every week and I'm a different person on and off the pitch. I found my love for the game again and you forget how much that means to you.

"I want to do that again - I want to play as much football as I can and develop as much as I can as a player.

"Confidence, everything grows when you're playing and you find out more about yourself as a player and a person. I really enjoyed it and of course it's something I want to continue to do."

You talked about feeling at home here from day one. How important is that for a player?

CJ: "There's a lot of English lads here, so it's very easy to settle in and the lads are a good laugh here. I look forward to coming into training every day - of course everyone works hard and wants to do the right things on the football pitch, but it's nice to come into environment where you can enjoy yourself and are amongst friends. That's important in any job, you want to look forward to coming into work and I certainly do that at West Ham."

The Club have been busy in the transfer market this summer. How impressed have you been by the signings?

CJ: "I know this club is going in the right direction, I think everyone can see that from within the club and outside. The Board signed a lot of good players last year and have obviously done the same this summer, making a few real statements of intent.

West Ham are back in Europe this year. Having experienced Champions League football yourself, what will European football do for West Ham?

CJ: "It's a Club going in the right direction, I can really see West Ham becoming a big force in the next two or three years. We're in that process now and I'm looking forward to being a part of it.

"It takes the Club to the next level being in Europe. Everyone wants to play a part in European football - the fans and players love European nights. I know the fans are excited about being in the Europa League and I certainly am as well. It will be a good thing for West Ham."

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Slaven Bilic: The first press conference
WHUFC.com

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic faced the media for the first time at the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday and looks forward to his first season in charge of the Club.

Hi Slaven, from your point of view, how pleasing is it to be in charge of West Ham United at such an important time?

"I am very glad to be here and have said it from day one. I am very excited and I am looking forward to the job. It's a big privilege, it's a big club in a big league. I've played here and I enjoyed it here. "I've played everywhere but this is where I probably played the best football of my life. So I like it, it's a family club. I am not the only one who is saying that.
"This league is, if not the best, the hardest league to compete in. The expectations are huge. The club want to improve but the competition is unbelievable. This is the last season at the stadium before we move to the new stadium, so it is very exciting and I can't wait to get started.

What is the key to having a successful European campaign and then playing well in the League? You could potentially play eight games before the group stages so how will you cope with all these games?

"It is a very difficult balancing act and has been unusual until this week because we had two groups of players. We didn't want to bring the first team back too early because we are going to need them until May without having a proper break. "The Europa League has to be respected, it's a big opportunity and a privilege for any club so we have to make a balance. So it was a bit strange to use two different teams, one for Andorra and the players started early. "But Bingo, it was like a jackpot and was great for the younger players and some First Team Players who didn't play much last year for whatever reasons. But it was a good experience for them. "The other first-team players then started on time and we went to Cork. We had two squads and I was in Ireland, flying to London, then flying to Andorra and back so it wasn't ideal but from the game on Thursday we are starting to have a normal preparation for the Premier League.
"To be fair we would have played on Thursday anyway, so to have a competitive game against a decent side is good. It's not ideal that we have to fly to Malta next week and we basically lose Wednesday, Thursday and half of the Friday for one game. "But we want to qualify and play in the Europa League. It's good for the Club and good for the spectators. It is good to play against teams with different styles of play. It can boost your confidence."

Can you tell us anything about a move for Javier Hernandez?

"The fact is so far in my career, I have never talked about other players who are not past of West Ham United. "We are trying to be active in the transfer window and so far the board have been very active in the transfer window. We are still trying to improve our squad and bring players who in my opinion and the Club's opinion can lift us up. We already have a good team but I will discuss it inside the Club."

What have you made of the new signings and how have they settled in?

"They are really good players and we wanted the.. The first one, Pedro Obiang, he's been a regular at Sampdoria for a few years, he is a really good player. Box-to-box, he can play in several different systems and positions. "Dimitri Payet is a player who I really wanted. I feel the Club needed someone who is a good link between midfield and the attackers. "He is a very creative player, a No10 as they used to call them with quality. He can do everything, goals, assists, I have been his admirer for a long time. "I have tried to get him at a few of my previous clubs but it was impossible. Not only the strikers but the players behind him, midfielders like Mark Noble will benefit from him. "We wanted to buy an additional centre-back and my first target was Angelo Ogbonna and we signed him. He is a player I've known for a long time because Italy were in the same group as Croatia in Euro 2012. "I followed every player that we could have faced in the Italy squad and at that time Ogbonna was just emerging at Torino. After the Euros, Juventus who were already champions signed him. "He played there in one of the best defences in Europe. He is still close to the Italian squad. "He wanted to come here, he has great determination and quality and is going to be really good for us. "We then signed Carl Jenkinson on loan. He did very well here last season, he had great determination to stay here for at least another year and he is a West Ham fan which is always good. "Stephen Hendrie and Darren Randolph have also both impressed me in training. We lost some players and we need to find a balance. Don't forget last season the team was really good, but we are trying to make it better."

What do you feel you are capable of achieving this season?

"That is a question that is so easy to answer one month before the season starts because you can say whatever you want. I want to try and bring stability and make us better. "I want the guys to improve individually and as a team. If we are going to play week after week and be better in ball possession and have more killer instinct, that should put us in a position where we are going to have more chances than our opponent. "We should score more goals and that should lift us in the table. Where that is going to be I don't know. "I am quite confident and have a good team. There is a good atmosphere and it was the same back in 1996 when I was a player here. "Every day we worked hard but also we were smiling. It is the same now. I would like it to continue like that and I am going to give everything."

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Boleyn Insider
WHUFC.com

Our man on the inside lifts the lid on the latest transfer speculation...

All the attention has now switched towards the Club's Europa League second qualifying round tie against Birkirkara on Thursday night.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic faced the national media for the first time in the pre-match press conference and was immediately asked about transfer targets. The Boleyn Insider revealed the other day that following the arrival of Carl Jenkinson from Arsenal, the Club would now switch their attentions to bringing in a forward and that remains the case. My understanding is that the Club are looking to make a move for one of the top strikers at a big club in England and hope a move can be finalised in the near future. There have also been stories suggesting the Club could be considering other options as they look to land another target. I have been told that the Club would be open to a possible player-exchange deal if they could get the striker they wanted. With six new arrivals already this summer, I believe the fans can look forward to more new signings before the new Premier League season gets underway against Arsenal on August 9.

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Stewart Downing: Middlesbrough set to sign West Ham winger
BBC.co.uk

Winger Stewart Downing is close to completing a return to Middlesbrough after West Ham gave him permission to speak to his hometown club. The 30-year-old will have a medical examination on Thursday before meeting with chairman Steve Gibson, BBC Tees Sport has learned. He will then join the Boro squad at their Marbella training camp. Downing, capped 35 times by England, left the Riverside for Aston Villa in July 2009, before moving to Liverpool. He has been with West Ham since 2013 and made 37 Premier League appearances for the Hammers in 2014-15, with his early-season performances earning him an England recall in November. Since making his professional debut for the Teessiders in May 2002, he has made 493 appearances in all competitions, scoring 50 goals. Middlesbrough were beaten by Norwich City in the Championship play-off final at Wembley in May.

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Jesus, Nelson Mandela and Karren Brady cited amongst 'world's most inspirational people'
Kumb.COM
Filed: Wednesday, 15th July 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's vice-chairman Karren Brady has been named as one of the World's 50 most inspirational people in a poll by a publishing house. Raconteur Media's poll of 2,000 of its readers threw up one or two surprises in its survey to find the World's 50 most inspirational people - of all time, no less. Although all the usual candidates - such as Jesus, Anne Frank, Oscar Wilde and Nelson Mandela - are present, Hammers fans may be surprised to learn that the club's current vice chair - aka Baroness Brady of Knightsbridge in the City of Westminster - is also listed.

Talking about the poll, the website states: "We all know what it feels like to have a 'lightbulb' moment – that lightning-quick strike of momentary inspiration that plants the seed of genius and sends us racing to the whiteboard. "But the feeling of sustained inspiration is something much deeper, and much greater. It was the unpacking of this kind of inspiration that we aimed to achieve. Canvassing our readers, we asked who is the most inspirational person of all time?"

The Top 50: Some Credentials

Nelson Mandela: Former leader of the ANC and President of South Africa. Jailed for 27 years. Helped prevent civil war and end apartheid.

Mother Teresa: Macedonian-born missionary who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and was beatified as "Blessed Teresa of Calcutta" in 2003.

Oscar Wilde: Author, playwright and poet of distinction. Jailed for his homosexuality, he died a pauper in Paris at the age of 46.

Anne Frank: Teenage Jewish victim of the Nazi holocaust during the Second World War. Her wartime diary - 'The Diary of a Young Girl' - is one of the most celebrated works of literature from the war.

Alan Turing: Computer scientist whose Turing machine is the daddy of modern day computers. Killed at 41 by cyanide poisoning (officially suicide).

Jesus Christ: Turned water into wine. Helped kick-start a religion that today boasts around two billion followers.

Mohamed: Slightly more recent fellow prophet whose religion also commands a following of around two billion.

Martin Luther King Jnr: Civil Rights Movement leader who had a dream that he never lived to see. Peaceful protester who was murdered in 1968.

Gandhi: Leader of the Indian Independence Movement who shaped his nation's history during the first half of the 20th century.

Karren Brady: Prep school-educated businesswoman and TV personality known as 'the first lady of football'. Made a Tory life peer in 2014.

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Bilic refuses to acknowledge Hernandez interest
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th July 2015
By: Staff Writer

Slaven Bilic refused to be drawn on West Ham's purported interest in Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez when questioned by a reporter this morning. Bilic, speaking in his first general press conference since being appointed as the latest West Ham manager insisted that he would only talk about players currently at the club, whilst failing to either confirm or deny United's interest. "The fact is, I will not discuss players who are not part of West Ham," he replied to a question regarding Hernandez. "We are trying to be active in the transfer window - and so far, the Board have been. "We're still trying to improve our squad and bring in players who - in my and the club's opinion - can lift us up. We already have a good team but I will discuss it inside the club."

Bilic also spoke at length on several of his summer signings:

Pedro Obiang: "He's been a regular at Sampdoria for a few years, he is a really good player. Box-to-box, he can play in several different systems and positions."

Dimitri Payet: "A player who I really wanted. I feel the club needed someone who is a good link between midfield and the attackers. I have tried to get him at a few of my previous clubs, but it wasn't possible."

Carl Jenkinson: "He did very well here last season. I spoke to him a few times and and he had great determination to stay here for another year - at least."

Angelo Ogbonna: "He is a player I've known for a long time. He played in one of the best defences in Europe. He is still close to the Italian squad. He has great determination and quality and is going to be really good for us."

Stephen Hendrie: "He's a left-back who played some really good football in Scotland."

Darren Randolph: "Did I miss anyone out? Oh Randy! We needed a new goalkeeper. They all look really good."

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Stewart Downing closing on move back to Middlesbrough
Last Updated: 15/07/15 3:54pm
SSN

Middlesbrough have agreed a fee with West Ham for winger Stewart Downing, Sky sources understand. Downing is poised to return to his home town club for a fee of around £5m with talks over a deal having been going on between the clubs for some time. The 30-year-old graduated from the Middlesbrough academy and made 234 appearances for the club before leaving for Aston Villa at the end of the 2008-9 season.
He spent two years at Villa Park before joining Liverpool and then moved on to West Ham at the start of the 2013-14 campaign, where he played a regular role over the last two seasons. Downing is expected to undergo a medical on Thursday and he could join up with the rest of the Boro squad at their training camp in Marbella by the end of the week if the deal is completed in time.

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Hammers meet players mum
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 15, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Reports in France claim West Ham have met PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot's mother who acts as his agent in Charles Du Gaulle airport in Paris. The highly-rated 20-year-old has attracted the attention a number of clubs after an impressive run in Ligue 1 under manager Laurent Blanc. Spurs were said to be tracking Rabiot but, according to French paper Le Parisen, the Hammers now lead the race to sign the Frenchman and have met him and his mother to discuss a deal. The France Under-21 international made 21 Ligue One appearances, 10 from the start, and scored four goals last season. Rabiot spent a short time at Manchester City in 2008 was previously linked with Arsenal.
Rabiot slapped in a transfer request – via his mum in June. 'Adrien loves PSG, he's attached and would love to make a career for himself there, but it's not possible,' his mother and agent told Le Parisien. 'He needs 35 games per season to continue his progression, and this won't happen at PSG next season. 'I've asked for a transfer.'

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Tinkerman could make Carlton his first signing
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 15, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri could make former Hammer Carlton Cole his first signing. According to the Daily Mirror, The Tinkerman is weighing up a move for Cole who is a free agent as he knows him from his time as Chelsea manager. Ranieri gave Cole his debut as a teenager in 2002 and described him as the best young player he had ever worked with at the time. He has always kept a good relationship with Cole after once labelling him "Tyson" for his size and strength. It is claimed Cole has also attracted interest from West Brom, Aston Villa and Norwich.

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Stewart Downing Out, Manuel Lanzini in
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 15, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Hammer Stewart Downing appears close to completing a return to Middlesbrough after West Ham gave him permission to speak to his hometown club in the town where he was born.

Reports this afternoon suggestDowning two clubs are said to have agreed a fee of around £5m. The 30-year-old will have a medical examination as early as Thursday before meeting with chairman Steve Gibson. Assuming he passes a medical it is claimed he will then join the Middlesbrough squad at their Marbella training camp.

Downing joined West Ham in 2013 and made 37 Premier League appearances for the Hammers last season. Downing is said to have agreed a five year deal worth as much as £70,000 per week together with a £1 million bonus if Middlesbrough achieve promotion to the Premier League.

West Ham will remove one of their highest earners off their payroll as the £50,000 week man leaves freeing £2.6m off the annual wage bill.

manuel-lanzini-pictures-1Downing's exit is also likely to pave the way for a loan deal for Argentine midfielder Manuel Lanzini from UAE-based club Al Jazira.

Reports have suggested that Lanzini has agreed to join the Hammers on a season long loan deal. Lanzini was previously linked with West Ham in the past but the former River Plate star opted for a move to Al Jazira for a fee of around £5.25million.

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Slav tight-lipped on Hernandez
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 15, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Slaven Bilic has refused to comment on the news that the Hammers are in talks with Manchester United over a possible Javier Hernandez switch to Upton Park.

And that in itself is a significant indicator that the club is pressing ahead with negotiations as revealed by ClaretandHugh this week.

Addressing his first press conference since taking over as manager, Slav – when asked directly about the striker – said: " "The fact is so far in my career, I have never talked about other players who are not part of West Ham United.

"We are trying to be active in the transfer window and so far the board have been very active in the transfer window.

"We are still trying to improve our squad and bring players who in my opinion and the club's opinion can lift us up. We already have a good team but I will discuss it inside the club."

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Malta Europa league clash to be broadcast on UK TV
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 15, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Matese team Birkirkara appear to have sold their TV broadcast rights for the 2nd away leg to UK TV company Premier Sports. The 2nd round Europa League match played on Thursday 23rd at the 18,000 capacity Maltese national stadium will be broadcast LIVE on Premier Sports TV channel. The channel is currently only available in the UK. They broadcast on SKY channel 428,Virgin channel 551 and TalkTalk channel 526. They also offer you the channel online in HD through the Premier Player. Viewers in Northern Ireland can view Premier Sports via Setanta Sports 1.

SKY

Premier Sports HD channel launches in 4 days time and the channel is offering a discount for Sky customers of £9.99 for two months subscription by using code ABERDEENFC.

VIRGIN MEDIA

Premier Sports is sold directly by Virgin Media priced at £7.99 per month. Virgin also operate streaming on behalf of Premier Sports via their Virgin Anywhere service.

TalkTalk Customers

You can add Premier Sports to your TalkTalk package for £10 a month.

PREMIER PLAYER Online Customers

The Premier Player is available in HD priced at £9.99 per month and includes a 7 day catch-up service.

Virgin Media and Premier Player customers are on auto renewing 1 month contract.

More details can be found on their website premiersports.tv

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Hammers Away kit revealed
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 15, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

West Ham have unveiled their new 2015-16 season away kit this morning. The new-look strip is understood to be heavily influenced by the historic 'Union Jack' design, which was worn between 1901-03 – when Queen Victoria and King Edward VII were on the throne! It features a light blue shirt with single claret chest hoop, light blue shorts and light blue socks with claret hoops.
Pre-orders will be delivered on 29th July and the kit will be available to buy on the same date for men, women, juniors, infants and babies The Hammers are set to wear the away kit for the first time against Birkirkara in Malta on 23 July.

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EXCLUSIVE: Hammers get tough with Barca on Song
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 15, 2015 in News
C AND H EXCLUSIVE

West Ham are exploring a complex plan which would hopefully seal an eventual long term deal for Alex Song to join the club permanently. But whilst he is carrying a surgery-threatening ankle injury, the Irons are trying to do a' pay as you play' loan deal with Barca paying his wages outside of those appearances. The Hammers have suggested that they are then given the option to take the player on a permanent deal in the January window when, hopefully, his injury worried are sorted The Catalan giants want to do a permanent deal NOW with the Irons taking on the full wage burden but ClaretandHugh sources said: "That's not going to happen. we need to sort out a safeguarded deal. "Barcelona are maybe hoping some other club will come in. Understandable, but we aren't going pushed into such a wage deal in these circumstances."

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United to give Irons Hernandez price
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on July 15, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has identified Javier Hernandez as his preferred striking option and the board are working hard to make it happen. ClaretandHugh exclusively broke the news earlier this week that the club were in for the Mexican front man and we have learned that talks will re-start by the weekend. Whilst United are understood to have put a £10-£12 million price tag on the player's head, the Reds have yet to make that official to the Irons negotiators but have said they will let us know by Saturday and Sunday. A source revealed: "United have indicated that they will name their price at the weekend and as far as the manager is concerned, Javier is the preferred option. "We understand the player wants a move to Upton Park. No doubt there will be other interest but hopefully the club can make this one happen. However, there's a way to go."

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Third 'Oxford Blue' kit to be unveiled
Posted by Sean Whetstone on July 15, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Following the announcement of the away kit this morning West Ham are expected to unveil a third kit soon. Built of the theme of historic kits in the club's 120 year history, the third kit is rumoured to be inspired by our origins in 1895 when the team played in Oxford Blue as the Thames Ironworks.

The original team colours were Oxford Blue due to founder Arnold Hills being a former student of Oxford University. The Ironworks played their first ever fixture in these colours against Royal Ordnance reserves on 7th September 1895, the game ending 0-0.

Hills was said to be a talented footballer and represented Oxford against Cambridge in the varsity match.

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Transfer news: Stewart Downing heads home to Middlesbrough in £5m deal
England winger cleared for north-east return after West Ham and Middlesbrough agree transfer fee
By Telegraph Sport
11:06PM BST 15 Jul 2015

Stewart Downing is closing in on a return to home-town side Middlesbrough after the Championship club agreed a deal of around £5 million with West Ham for the winger. West Ham have given Downing, 31 next week, permission to speak to Middlesbrough and the player is now set to have a medical examination on Thursday before meeting Steve Gibson, the Boro chairman, to sign a reported five-year contract. It is expected he will then fly to Spain to join the Middlesbrough squad at their Marbella training camp. He could make his first Middlesbrough appearance in six years in Saturday's friendly in Marbella. Downing, capped 35 times by England, left the Riverside for Aston Villa in July 2009, before moving on to Liverpool. He has been with West Ham since 2013 and made 37 Premier League appearances for the Londoners last season, with his early-season performances earning him an England recall in November. Since making his professional debut for the Teessiders in May 2002, he has made 493 appearances in all competitions, scoring 50 goals. Middlesbrough missed out on promotion to the top flight when they were beaten by Norwich City in the Championship play-off final at Wembley in May.

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Andy Carroll pencilled in for September return by West Ham chief David Gold
By RICHARD ARROWSMITH FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 23:07, 15 July 2015 | UPDATED: 23:07, 15 July 2015

West Ham co-chairman David Gold has suggested that record signing Andy Carroll could make his long-awaited return from injury in September. The 26-year-old has struggled for fitness since completing a £15million move from Liverpool to Upton Park in 2013 and has has been ruled out since the start of this year with a serious knee injury that required surgery. Gold revealed on Twitter that the England international is nearing a comeback, saying: 'Andy Carroll is training hard and getting stronger. We are hopeful that he will be available early September. dg.'
Carroll is back in training and could join up with the first team squad to work on his match fitness ahead of their opening Premier League fixture against Arsenal on August 9. Should Carroll return to action after the international break in September, he could find himself appearing against his former club with West Ham playing Newcastle on September 14.
Meanwhile, the Hammers have been linked to an £8million bid for Manchester United outcast Javier Hernandez. The Mexico international has been on the Upton Park club's wishlist since last summer but they made contact in January and have kept in touch. West Ham know though they have a lot of competition with Roma, Galatasaray, Besiktas and Wolfsburg among the admirers. They have discussed Matteo Destro on loan from Roma and Charlie Austin at QPR and Loic Remy of Chelsea but each are expensive or, in Destro's case, without proven Premier League ability. Enner Valencia is due back from injury but co-chairmen Gold and David Sullivan want to give Slaven Bilic plenty of options.

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Manuel Lanzini set for West Ham medical on Thursday ahead of loan from Al Jazira after selling Stewart Downing to Middlesbrough
By SIMON JONES FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 22:45, 15 July 2015 | UPDATED: 22:45, 15 July 2015

Manuel Lanzini is expected to arrive in London on Thursday to complete a medical ahead of his move to West Ham from United Arab Emirates side Al Jazira. The 22-year-old is joining on loan after West Ham agreed to sell Stewart Downing to Middlesbrough. The Hammers agreed a deal in principle to sign Argentine midfielder Lanzini from the UAE-based club earlier this month. Likened to former Argentina star Pablo Aimar, Lanzini, who has an Italian passport, was considered by West Ham while at River Plate last summer but he moved to the Middle East instead for £5.25million. Known as 'La Joya' or 'The Jewel', Lanzini also has interest from Sharjah of the UAE Pro League. He scored eight goals in 24 appearances to help Jazira to a second-place finish in the Arabian Gulf League last season. New manager Slaven Bilic has already made six signings this summer with the arrivals of Darren Randolph, Pedro Obiang, Stephen Hendrie, Dimitri Payet, Angelo Ogbonna and Carl Jenkinson. The Croatian boss leads his new team at Upton Park for the first time on Thursday night as they take on Birkirkara of Malta in the second qualifying round of the Europa League.

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West Ham are no longer the 'circus act' of yesteryear, says Mark Noble
Midfielder believes Bilic is ready to build on the foundations laid down by previous manager Sam Allardyce
By Jon West
Telegraph.co.uk
10:33PM BST 15 Jul 2015

Mark Noble has praised the way Slaven Bilic has transformed West Ham United, with the midfielder insisting that the club were no longer the "circus act" of yesteryear. Noble is one of a number of first‑team players poised to play on Thursday night in the Europa League second qualifying round first leg against Maltese side Birkirkara after missing the first-round double-header with Andorran side Lusitans.
Playing on the European stage is a far cry from the relegation season under Avram Grant in 2010-11 – a point acknowledged by Noble, who believes Bilic is ready to build on the foundations laid down by Sam Allardyce, the previous manager.

"In the last four years under Sam, from the Championship we have a strong base, the chairman and the gaffer are together and the club feels like a proper club now – not a circus act," Noble, 28, said. Bilic, who had a single season at West Ham as a player in 1996-97, admits that he will have to be a luckier manager than Allardyce if he is to be a success at Upton Park. Allardyce has warned that the squad Bilic has inherited, despite six additions from last season, is unlikely to be able to prosper in the Premier League if it is also playing in the Europa League proper on Thursdays. The Hammers enjoyed an impressive start under Allardyce last season but results soon tapered off once key men began to be ruled out through injury. "I'm not sure the squad is strong and deep enough if they have a long run in Europe. Staying clear of injuries is the most important thing in any manager's season," he said. "If not, Slaven Bilic could run into the same problems I did over the last four years."

Allardyce's claims will be sure to have annoyed a significant section of the West Ham support, who became implacably opposed to him because they could not tolerate his preferred direct style of play. But Bilic made it clear he agreed with his predecessor. "It has a lot to do with being lucky or unlucky. Last year the club was very unlucky in that department. One unlucky accident in training not to mention the games can damage your plans. Two or three you are finished."

Bilic even went out of his way to praise Allardyce. "I would like to thank the ex-manager, Sam," he said. "He left me a really good team and god atmosphere and he didn't leave me a mess. It is solid and it is a great great base, or whatever you call, it for me to try and improve."

West Ham United (4-2-3-1) Adrian; O'Brien, Tomkins, Reid, Cresswell; Poyet, Noble; Amalfitano, Nolan, Jarvis; Zarate.
Birkirkara (4-3-3) Haber; Mazzetti, Vukanac, Muscat, Camenzuli, Zerafa, Fenech, Muscat, Agius, Miccoli, Plut.
Referee M Hameter (Austria).

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Ravel Morrison makes it four goals in two games for Lazio, will West Ham regret letting him go?
HITC
Damien Lucas

After his departure from West Ham United Ravel Morrison scored another brace in his second pre-season game for new club Lazio. Morrison took to social networking site Twitter to give an update after Lazio's latest pre-season match on Wednesday. And he revealed he had scored another two goals to add to the brace he got in his first game at the weekend. He said: "Game two finished another win and another two goals."

The former Manchester United midfielder, who was once hailed the Red Devils' best talent since Paul Scholes by none other than Sir Alex Ferguson, was released by the Hammers last season. The immensely talented star, likened by some West Ham fans to their legendary midfielder Sir Trevor Brooking for the way he effortlessly glided past opponents, looked to have got his career back on track in East London. He had been disposed of by a frustrated Sir Alex and West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold took a punt on the England youth international. It looked to have paid off when, after a spell out on loan, Morrison forced his way into Sam Allardyce's side and started scoring goals - most memorably away to fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a 3-0 Premier League win.

But it soon turned sour as Morrison's infamous lack of discipline saw him fall out of favour yet again. After a series of loan spells at Queens Park Rangers and Cardiff, the Hammers eventually gave up on the 22-year-old and terminated his contract in February, freeing him up to join Serie A side Lazio. Initial reports by the likes of the Mirror suggested he was homesick and wanted to return to England before a ball had even been kicked in anger in Italy.

Has the penny finally dropped?

But he seems to have knuckled down and after impressing on his debut with two goals in a 14-0 win last week, he has now followed it up with another brace. The opposition clearly were not up to much this time either as Lazio ran out 9-1 winners over Top 11 Radio Club. But his form and new-found focus will be concerning for West Ham and the club's fans, many of whom wanted to see how the prodigious talent fared under a different manager than Allardyce. They now have that in the shape of Slaven Bilic who has been brought in partly for his more attack-minded philosophy. But Bilic also demands a high work rate from his players, something Allardyce accused Morrison of lacking when he excluded him from his team after his initial breakthrough.

The Pogba problem

It remains to be seen whether Morrison will stay the course over in the Italian capital, having pushed West Ham's patience to the limit during his time at the club. But like his old Manchester United youth teammate Paul Pogba has shown with Juventus, should he excel it could prove a lack of patience which ultimately costs the club one of the most exciting young players in Europe.

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Stewart Downing travelling to Teesside to complete £5m Boro switch
13:53, 15 JULY 2015
BY PHILIP TALLENTIRE
Downing is set to fly out to Spain to link up with Aitor Karanka and the Boro first team squad once formalities have been completed

Stewart Downing is travelling to Teesside today to complete his £5m switch to Boro, the Gazette understands. Once formalities have been completed, the 30-year-old winger will fly out to Spain to link up with Aitor Karanka and the first team squad on Thursday. Fitness permitting, he could make his first Boro appearance in six years in Saturday's friendly in Marbella.
Downing, who celebrates his 31st birthday next week, has been training on his own at West Ham after insisting that he wanted to join Boro. It's believed that the Middlesbrough-born former England international will put pen to paper on a five-year contract, which will mean he'll almost ceertainly finish his career where he started it. The signing is a massive coup for Steve Gibson and Boro and Downing is expected to operate in the pivotal No10 position next season.

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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic admits Upton Park bow will be a "big privilege"
14:07, 15 JULY 2015
BY JOHN CROSS
The Hammers face Maltese outfit Birkirkara in the Europa League tomorrow and Bilic admits he is relishing the opportunity in east London
The Mirror

Slaven Bilic says it will be a "big privilege" to take charge of his first game at Upton Park. West Ham boss Bilic watched from the stands at home in the last round but will in full control against Maltese outfit Birkirkara in the Europa League second qualifying round. Ex-Hammers defender Bilic said: "I've been excited from the first day and I'm looking forward to the job, it's a big privilege. It's a big club in a big league. "It's a special club for me personally. I played here. I enjoyed everywhere as a player but this is the place where I played the best football of my life also. I like this club. It's a family club. I'm not the only one saying that. "On the other hand it's a big obligation of course. If it's not the best, it's the toughest League in the world of football. Expctations are huge. "The club wants to improve. The competition is unbelievable. This is the last season at this stadium, we're moving to the new stadium next season and all that sums up the situation that is exciting."

Former West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has warned that the club's European campaign could have a serious impact on their Premier League season because of the extra fixtures. Allardyce told talkSPORT: "Europe is going to be a defining factor. If West Ham have a very good run in Europe it could have a detrimental effect on their Premier League results. If you play more games in Europe, along with the FA Cup and League Cup, you're going to test the squad. "I'm not sure the squad is strong and deep enough if they have a long run in Europe. Staying clear of injuries is the most important thing in any manager's season. If not, Slaven Bilic could run into the same problems I did over the last four years."

But Bilic hopes that he can deal with the extra demands even if he accepts the extra fixtures - West Ham will have to play eight extra games to reach the Europa League Group stage - will be difficult. Bilic said: "It is a difficult balance. At least it's unusual especially till today, till tomorrow let's say. To think that you have two teams because we didn't want to call up the seniors players before because we're going to need them till May. In England there is no winter break. "But we wanted to respect the Europa League because it's a big opportunity and privilege to any club. So we wanted to find a balance. "We had one team that was playing and training and started early and played these two games against Andora. It was bingo, it was a jackpot and great for young players."

West Ham midfielder Mark Noble says their final year at Upton Park makes it the biggest season in the club's history and they are determined to start well. Noble said: "We're going into is one of the biggest in the club's history. The new stadium is a Premier League stadium. The money we're spending is a sign we want to go into the new stadium as a solid Premier League team that wants to move up. "We get 35000 a week and we want to get in 20 more thousand. I'm confident we can do it. "Once we get our squad together, we can really push on and become a team capable of playing in this year's League and moving to the stadium a solid team."

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Slaven Bilic makes promise to West Ham fans ahead of Europa League clash
Express.co.uk
By JON WEST
PUBLISHED: 14:11, Wed, Jul 15, 2015 | UPDATED: 14:26, Wed, Jul 15, 2015

Sam Allardyce's replacement takes charge of the Hammers at Upton Park for the first time tomorrow when Maltese outfit Birkirkara are the visitors in a Europa League second round qualification first leg. Former Hammers defender Bilic, who had told academy coach Terry Westley to take care of the first round first leg, said: "There is a good atmosphere. I didn't create it - it was here when I came in 1996. Every day people work with a smile. I would like it to continue. "I've been excited from the first day and I'm looking forward to the job, it's a big privilege. It's a big club in a big league. It's a special club for me personally. I played here. "I enjoyed everywhere as a player but this is the place where I played the best football of my life also. I like this club. It's a family club. I'm not the only one saying that. On the other hand it's a big obligation of course."

Allardyce has suggested Bilic and co would struggle to combine Europa League excursions with Premier League fixtures should they qualify for the group stage. And Bilic did not disagree. He said: "It is good for the spectators and individually the players. To play against clubs that play different style boosts your confidence and your quality as a man and a player. "But it takes from you too. Last year I was at Besiktas and the Europa League cost us because it was something like playing 20 games Saturday, Thursday, Saturday, Thursday." The Hammers played a team that was mainly made up of teenagers in the first round against Andorran minnows Lusitans as the majority if the first teamers were preparing for pre-season on a camp in Ireland.
But tomorrow's starting line-up is expected to be much closer to the likely selection for the first Premier League game of the season.

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Slaven Bilic hints at tactical role for Hammers new signing and hails transfer work
London 24
14:14 15 July 2015 Brad Pinard at Upton Park

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic is looking to use Dimitri Payet as a number ten in a new-look Hammers side. The Frenchman was impressive as a winger for Marseille last season as his 17 assists saw him ranked fourth in Europe behind Kevin De Bruyne, Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas. But new manager Bilic, who was named West Ham boss in May, plans to play the 28-year-old behind the strikers this season. "Dimitri Payet, I really wanted him," Bilic said. "He is a number ten, to play in between the midfield and attack. He is creative. "He has goals, assists everything. I have been an admirer of him for a long time. "I have tried to get him at a few clubs but it was very difficult. "The strikers will benefit from him but also the defensive players in midfield too like Mark (Noble)." Payet is one of six new signings who have joined the West Ham squad this summer. The club have also brought in Stephen Hendrie, Darren Randolph, Pedro Obiang, Angelo Ogbonna and Carl Jenkinson. Bilic is pleased with the club's business in this transfer window but he plans to make further additions to the squad. "We are trying to be active and we will try and improve again "We are still trying, we will bring in some more players to lift us then definitely, but I will say it in the club. Maybe a few will come in if they are the ones who will make us better."

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Javier Hernandez to West Ham: Hammers prepare '£8m bid' for Manchester United striker
Roma and Wolfsburg also interested in Chicharito
TOM SHEEN Author Biography Wednesday 15 July 2015
The Independent

West Ham United are set to make an £8million bid for Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, according to reports. The Mexican spent last year on loan at Real Madrid and did not travel to Seattle with Louis van Gaal's 27-man squad for the pre-season tour of the US as he is on international duty at the Gold Cup. According to the Daily Mail, West Ham have been interested since last summer and are preparing to make a move. However, they could face competition from numerous clubs across Europe with Wolfsburg, Roma, Besiktas and Galatasaray all linked with the striker. Chicharito was a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson, scoring 50 goals in three seasons in all competitions, but has struggled since he left, with just nine goals since before being sent on loan to the Bernabeu. West Ham are also linked with Roma striker Matteo Destro and Premier League pair Charlie Austin and Loic Remy. The Hammers continue to be concerned with the fitness of record transfer Andy Carroll, who has played just 30 matches in the last two seasons

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West Ham to tie up Lanzini loan deal, freeing Downing to join Middlesbrough
HITC
Graeme Bailey

HITC Sport understands that Manuel Lanzini's move to England is almost complete, with his arrival paving the way for Stewart Downing to head home. Manuel Lanzini is due to arrive in England on Thursday to complete his move to West Ham United, which should free up Stewart Downing to finalise his transfer back to Middlesbrough, HITC Sport understands from sources close to the deal. West Ham agreed terms with Al Jazira earlier this month to sign the 22-year-old on-loan for the season with a view to a permanent transfer. Lanzini has an Italian passport, but he has been waiting for the final bits of paperwork to be completed before flying into England to put pen to paper. He is expected in on Thursday, and Middlesbrough are now expecting that will finally mean West Ham giving Downing the green light to complete his return to The Riverside. Boro have fought off strong Premier League interest, particularly from rivals Sunderland, to agree terms with West Ham and Downing. HITC Sport understands Boro have agreed to give Downing a five-year deal and will part with a transfer fee of around £7million. Boro want the deal in place this week, which will then allow them to move on to other targets, with Christian Stuani also expected to sign by the start of next week. However, another striker remains top of their list of targets and it is understood they are still exploring a deal for Blackburn Rovers frontman Jordan Rhodes.

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As West Ham intensify striker hunt, which player would suit Slaven Bilic's side best?
HITC
Damien Lucas

West Ham United are stepping up their bid to land a top striker with the likes of Charlie Austin, Javier Hernandez, Gervinho and Mattia Destro linked. The Hammers have been one of the busiest Premier League clubs in the summer transfer market spending nearly £25 million so far. Co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold have been true to their word by investing significant funds to strengthen new boss Slaven Bilic's squad. So far the East Londoners have brought in goalkeeper Darren Randolph on a free transfer, midfielders Pedro Obiang and Dimitri Payet for a combined total of around £15 million, defender Angelo Ogbonna for around £8 million and Carl Jenkinson in on loan again from Arsenal for a fee believed to be £2 million. The Irons had already signed left back Stephen Hendrie from Scottish side Hamilton back in January and he officially became a West Ham player on July 1st. But there has been the promise of more to come with Sullivan's son Jack confirming on Twitter ahead of Jenkinson's capture that the club will be trying to sign 'another three or four players'. At least one of those will be a striker and if recent reports are to be believed the main targets are Queens Park Rangers' Charlie Austin, Manchester United's Javier Hernandez and Roma strike partners Gervinho and Matia Destro.

So what will West Ham be getting?

Charlie Austin

Anyone watching the Premier League last season will know all about Austin's exploits. His goals were in vain last season as Rangers were relegated but they look set to earn him a big money move back to the Premier League this summer with the Hammers being heavily linked by the likes of the Daily Mail. Bilic is said to be considering offering flop Matt Jarvis as a makeweight in any potential deal but one thing Austin will guarantee his side is goals. Austin's record is impressive. He bagged 58 goals in 113 matches for Burnley and QPR before smashing 18 goals in a remarkable debut season in the top flight. As a forward he is a natural finisher, although it remains to be seen whether the club could accommodate Austin and Andy Carroll in the same side.

Javier Hernandez

Hernandez is coming off the back of a mixed season on loan from Manchester United at Real Madrid. He bemoaned a lack of playing time in the Spanish capital but was memorably Los Blancos' goalscoring hero in their Champions League quarter-final against city rivals Atletico. Speculation has been rife in the last 24 hours linking him with a move to join Bilic's revolution, as per the London Evening Standard. Should the Hammers bring Chicarito to Upton Park he would undoubtedly be expecting first team football. And the 27-year-old Mexican's record would demand it with an impressive goals to games ratio for his hometown club Guadalajara of 26 in 64 games and 37 for the Red Devils in 102 appearances, many of which were as sub. What is most impressive, though, is his record on the international stage where he has scored a fantastic 40 goals in 74 matches for Mexico. He is the sort of striker who could work well playing off either Diafra Sakho or Andy Carroll in West Ham's attack and offers all-important pace.

Gervinho

According to the likes of the Metro, the Hammers are 'working hard' on a £10 million deal for the former Arsenal man Gervinho. The 28-year-old Ivorian scored just nine goals in 46 games for the Gunners before being shipped off to Serie A side Roma in 2013. His time in Italy has not been littered with goals either, as the African netted just 11 times in 57 matches over two seasons. His stats for his country read a little better with 20 goals in 70 games. Clearly spending such big money on Gervinho would represent something of a gamble but he is another player blessed with terrific pace who can also be utilised as a winger. His style of play and unselfish attitude would also suit the type of game Bilic favours, attacking with pace on the counter.

Mattia Destro

According to the Metro, Mattia Destro is very much on West Ham's radar with the paper claiming recently that his agent was 'in London to finalise a deal'. Destro at 24 has lots of potential and has scored 41 goals in 117 club games so far for the likes of Roma and last season on loan at AC Milan. The Italy international has eight caps and was the subject of intense transfer speculation last year being heavily linked with moves to West Ham's London rivals Chelsea and Real Madrid. Destro is famous in Italy for an outrageous 40-yard half-volley in a 2-0 victory over Hellas Verona. But it could be telling that Roma were willing to loan him out to a rival last season.

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West Ham's pass master Dimitri Payet: I can't wait to link up with 'lethal' Andy Carroll
Evening Standard
KEN DYER
Published: 15 July 2015 Updated: 09:57, 15 July 2015

Dimitri Payet has not had much chance to catch up with his former Lille team-mate, Eden Hazard, since arriving in London. owever, three weeks before completing his £10.7million move to West Ham, the France midfielder came face to face with the Chelsea star during a friendly against Belgium in Paris. Payet said: "We had a chat and he said to me, 'Why don't you come and play in the Premier League?' Well — now I'm here and very excited to start a new adventure in this fantastic league."

The 28-year-old could be one of the signings of the summer if he maintains the form he produced at Marseille last season. No one in Europe created more chances than Payet's total of 135 and his 17 assists were the fourth best in the top five European Leagues, numbers which should impress those fans who have demanded a return to the more expansive 'West Ham way'. "I'm usually a No10 and the thing I most enjoy is helping my team-mates and creating goal-scoring chances for them," he said. "I feel more satisfaction — and attach greater value — to providing assists then scoring myself. That is my role in the team. "Andy Carroll is lethal in the area and, if good crosses come into him, he usually puts them away. He's a fantastic finisher — he has a very good left foot and is a great header of the ball. All he needs is the service."

Payet's mantra will be music to the ears of not only Carroll, who is still battling back from a knee injury, but also West Ham's other main strikers, Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia.
Payet should feel satisfied if he does half as well as Hazard, last season's PFA and Football Writers' Association Player of the Year. "I'm not at all surprised Eden has done so well in England," he said. "He's a top-quality player and I could see that from my time playing with him. He's always had the talent. "He needed to progress in order to become a top international and that's what Chelsea — and Jose Mourinho — have been able to offer him."

So what are Payet's early impressions of his new manager at West Ham, Slaven Bilic? "I know first that he got Laurent Blanc sent off in the 1998 World Cup!" he said. "In terms of what I've observed since I've been here, though, is that he is very close to his players. He made me feel very welcome as soon as I arrived and since then we've had a good chat about how and where he wants to use me. I am excited about his project here."

West Ham have big plans for the future, at the heart of them being their move from the Boleyn to the 54,000-capacity Olympic Stadium next summer Payet will not be fazed. He said: "I am used to moving homes in football and it seems to be a recurring theme in my career. When I joined Lille they had a new stadium, at Marseille it was the same so I know how important it is to clubs when they move home. "It will bring in a new phase for the club and I am very excited to be part of that. First, though, we have to have a successful final season in the old stadium — and then move on." Of more immediate concern to Payet is West Ham's opening game of the season at the Emirates on August 9 and the chance to test himself against a player he admires. "Arsenal are the No1 French club in the Premier League and it's a very tough opening match for us," he said. "The fact we begin with such a big game means we have to get straight into our stride. It will be a good opportunity to see my favourite English player — Jack Wilshere. We are a little bit similar."

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West Ham hold secret talks with Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea target
WEST HAM have reportedly held secret talks with Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot over a move to Upton Park.
By BEN JEFFERSON
PUBLISHED: 00:00, Wed, Jul 15, 2015 | UPDATED: 10:17, Wed, Jul 15, 2015
Express.co.uk

Rabiot has been agitating for a move away from PSG for some time due to concerns about his playing time at the Parc des Princes. Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham have all been linked with the 20-year-old in the past. But according to Le Parisien the Hammers held talks with the player at Paris' Charles De Gaulle airport in recent days. The east London club have already landed Dimitri Payet from Marseille this summer but want to add compatriot Rabiot to their squad as well, according to the reports. Last month, the player's mother and agent Veronique said: "Adrien loves and is attached to PSG, it is the club of his heart. He wants to have a career here. But it's not possible. "Are PSG trying to tarnish Adrien because we have asked for a transfer? "If Adrien leaves PSG, he is not leaving for the sake of leaving, he is leaving in order to play."

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Report: West Ham representatives meet with PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot
HITC
Billy Hawkins

West Ham are looking to steal the talented midfielder away from PSG, having also seen him linked with Tottenham. Rabiot has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, and now West Ham have sent representatives to talk with him, according to Le Parisien. It is stated that he wants to leave PSG this summer, although the club want to keep the 20-year-old midfielder due to his homegrown status and impressive potential. First-team chances have been hard to come by for Rabiot since breaking onto the scene with PSG, and as he has struggled to establish himself in the first-team set-up recently, he is looking for a move away. Although the Ligue 1 giants want to keep ahold of him, they will not prevent the youngster from talking with other clubs, and the report states that Rabiot met with West Ham representatives at Charles de Gaulle airport. There are no indications as to whether talks were productive, but the Hammers are certainly taking forward steps in their transfer policy by looking to sign the talented midfielder.

Is Rabiot the player West Ham need?

A central midfielder, Rabiot is best deployed as the box-to-box presence alongside some more creative types, although he can also be utilised as a holding midfielder who shields the back-four. Full of energy and a strong mentality, Rabiot is willing to cover the entire pitch for his team, and is useful in the final third, even if he is better at the defensive side of the game. Signing Rabiot would also be a statement of intent from the Hammers, as he has been linked with Tottenham Hotspur recently. Le Parisien has reported previously that Spurs are looking to bring him to England, and if West Ham can move for Rabiot ahead of their London rivals, it will prove they mean business.

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Exclusive - Europa League could prove costly for West Ham this season, warns Sam Allardyce
By Nick Rostron-Pike (@nickrostronpike) | Wednesday, July 15, 2015
TalkSport

Sam Allardyce believes West Ham may struggle domestically this season if their Europa League campaign is successful. The Hammers face Maltese side Birkirkara in the first leg of their second qualifying round clash on Thursday, and face another four matches before they even reach the competition proper. With six group stage games then possibly to follow, the east London club are likely to play more than 50 matches this season. Slaven Bilic's main task this campaign is to keep the Irons in the Premier League, ahead of their move to the Olympic Stadium. And Allardyce, who left Upton Park at the end of last season, claims the Croatian could struggle if the club continue to progress in Europe's secondary competition. "Europe is going to be a defining factor," the 60-year-old told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show. "If West Ham have a very good run in Europe it could have a detrimental effect on their Premier League results.
"If you play more games in Europe, along with the FA Cup and League Cup, you're going to test the squad. "I'm not sure the squad is strong and deep enough if they have a long run in Europe. Staying clear of injuries is the most important thing in any manager's season. "If not, Slaven Bilic could run into the same problems I did over the last four years."

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Conflicting reports over Alex Song's move to West Ham but could it derail Slaven Bilic's plans?
HITC
Damien Lucas

There are conflicting reports doing the rounds about Alex Song's protracted move from Barcelona to West Ham United which could be a blow to Slaven Bilic. Last month Bilic said signing the former Arsenal midfielder permanently this summer after a loan spell last season would show the world just how ambitious the Hammers are for the future. "Look, we know what Alex Song is and it also shows the size of the club," Bilic told West Ham's official website. But the former Croatia manager's best laid plans could be in jeopardy now after a report in the Mirror claimed the midfielder needs surgery on an ankle injury.

Move in doubt over injury?

According to the report Song could have to go under the knife to remove a piece of bone which has caused an ankle injury. But the club are said to be actively aiming to rescue the deal by looking into another season-long loan deal for the former Cameroon captain.

Conflicting reports

However, a conflicting report in the Metro, claims the 27-year-old has 'agreed terms with West Ham ahead of a permanent transfer'. While it remains to be seen whether the African's future will be in East London, would it make a huge difference to Bilic's plans for the season? Song played 28 games last season and early on there was a running joke on the terraces that the Man of the Match could be named before kick-off given the number of times Song had won the award. Injuries undoubtedly affected his form later in the season and when Sam Allardyce departed in May it seemed Song may have played his last game for the club.

Form mirrored that of his team

His form very much mirrored that of the team last season, which perhaps reflects just how influential a player he is. Before Christmas, Song was the best player on the park most weeks and he led the Hammers to the dizzy heights of fourth by the new year. But he was so ineffectual in 2015 many wondered if they were watching the same player, as West Ham won just three games to slip all the way down to 12th by the season's end. If Bilic can get the best out of a player that should still have a good five or six years left at the top level then he will be a force to be reckoned with in the heart of midfield. But should he join carrying an injury and play like he did in the second half of last season, questions will soon be asked. One thing the Hammers can rest easy knowing is that they now have plenty of strength in depth in midfield. They have signed the likes of Pedro Obiang, Dimitri Payet and youngster Martin Samuelsen from Manchester City who could be the surprise package of the season.

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Alex Song's West Ham transfer in doubt as the former Arsenal midfielder needs surgery
22:30, 14 JULY 2015
BY JOHN CROSS
The Hammers have already agreed terms with Barcelona for the Cameroon international but ankle problem could now lead to ANOTHER year's loan
The Mirror

West Ham are trying to save Alex Song's move to Upton Park. Barcelona midfielder Song could have to go under the knife to remove a piece of bone which has caused an ankle injury. That has put his switch in serious doubt even though West Ham had already agreed terms for the 27-year-old former Arsenal midfielder. He is hoping the lay-off will not be as long as first feared.
But the Hammers are now proposing a second one-year loan but with a view to a fixed permanent deal, which could help it go through - even if Song misses the start of the season. Cameroon international Song, who has been receiving treatment for the injury, spent last season on loan at West Ham and is keen to rejoin the club.

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West Ham plot £8m bid for Javier Hernandez but face competition from Roma and Wolfsburg for Manchester United striker
By SIMON JONES FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 01:06, 15 July 2015 | UPDATED: 01:06, 15 July 2015

Manchester United expect West Ham to make an £8million offer for Javier Hernandez. The Mexico international has been on the Upton Park club's wishlist since last summer but they made contact in January and have kept in touch. West Ham know though they have a lot of competition with Roma, Galatasaray, Besiktas and Wolfsburg among the admirers. They have discussed Matteo Destro on loan from Roma and Charlie Austin at QPR and Loic Remy of Chelsea but each are expensive or, in Destro's case, without proven Premier League ability. They have concerns about the fitness of Andy Carroll, who could be out for another three months recovering from his knee ligament injury, so want a player who can start the season reliably. Enner Valencia is due back from injury but co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan want to give Slaven Bilic plenty of options.

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