Daily WHUFC News - 23rd May 2016

Runners-up spot for Hammers in Hong Kong
WHUFC.com

West Ham United finished as runners-up in the Hong Kong Sevens tournament on
Sunday for the second consecutive year as they were beaten 2-0 by Aston
Villa in the final. The young Hammers progressed from Group D as winners on
Saturday after two draws against Singapore Cricket Club and HKFA and a
victory over Leicester City, securing their quarter-final place against
local side Eastern on Sunday. And after a 1-0 win in the last-eight of the
competition in the morning, the Hammers came up against Seoul FC in the
semi-final stage for a place in the final once again after last year's 3-2
defeat to Atletico Madrid. Another one-goal victory followed and the Hammers
found themselves up against fellow English side Aston Villa in the final,
but the Midlands side's 2-0 success saw them lift the trophy. Full-back
Lewis Page grabbed the Claret and Blue's winner against Eastern in the
quarter-final, firing a left-footed attempt across the keeper into the
bottom corner, and spirits were high heading into the final four. He said:
"I haven't scored in a while, so it was nice to get on the scoresheet. It
was great to get us into the semi-finals so hopefully we can push on from
here."

Another one-goal victory was all that was needed when FC Seoul were the
opponents in the next round, and Jahmal Hector-Ingram was the scorer,
tapping in from one yard out following a superb passing move. Alex Pike, who
scored two for the Hammers on Saturday in the tournament, reacted: "The game
[against Seoul] was our toughest game so far. We got to the final last year
and we're there again, so fingers crossed we can go and win this one."

But it wasn't to be again for the Hammers, as Villa scored through Harry
McKirdy and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy to lift the trophy.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gold - We are ready for the Europa League
WHUFC.com

West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Gold is thrilled to see the Hammers
back in the Europa League next season and sees no reason why the Club cannot
reach the latter stages of the competition.

Jesse Lingard's extra-time winner for Manchester United in the FA Cup Final
win over Crystal Palace on Saturday ensured West Ham will be playing in
Europe for the second consecutive season.

Mr Gold feels it is just rewards for a memorable final year at the Boleyn
Ground where the Club accumulated the highest number of points in the
Premier League, scored the most goals and recorded the best top-flight goal
difference since 1986.

Slaven Bilic has already made his first signing of the summer with the
arrival of Norway international Havard Nordtveit and with more to follow, Mr
Gold feels the squad will be well equipped for another European adventure.

Mr Gold said: "It was an exciting and thrilling end to the Final and what a
goal from Lingard to win the game.

"There was so much hanging on it for West Ham fans and we were all left
celebrating as we are back in Europe for the second consecutive year.

"As we prepare for the big move into the new Stadium this is another
exciting challenge for the football Club.

"Liverpool showed it is possible to go all the way and they were very
unlucky to lose in the Final. They could have been in the Champions League
next season.

"We should take this competition seriously and we are good enough to win it.

"It will also be another great opportunity for our young players to get
European experience and a number of them showed their quality when we played
in the early rounds last summer.

"They are now a year older and have more experience under their belt so will
be better equipped to deal with the pressures of playing in such a big
competition.

"We will also have new signings coming into the squad who will also make the
squad stronger and it will be another great opportunity for us to challenge
for major silverware and a Champions League position."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
EXWHUEMPLOYEE EXCLUSIVE: ENQUIRES GO IN FOR A NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND CLUB
FAVOURITES SET TO LEAVE! ALL TRANSFERS DISCUSSED HERE
22 MAY 2016
The West Ham Way.co.uk

So we are in Europe after all. I personally cannot wait and think that it
is a good thing for us for a number of reasons. Firstly European football
under the lights is a great way to welcome the new stadium. Secondly, for
years I have dreamt of European football to be a regular thing for us and
whilst it isn't the Champions League that we dreamt of it is a start.
Thirdly, it may attract players to the club. Most players want to play in
Europe even it is the Europa. Fourthly, arguably the most important reason
is that we may be able to keep some of our players happy. We are lucky to
have two brilliant goalkeepers; Randolph could play regularly in cup
competition. Youngsters like Burke, Oxford and Cullen can get more games
than they would without Europe and of course it is a chance to keep four
strikers scoring. The last reason for me is that it may give some fans a
chance to see the football at the Olympic stadium (Mahindra Stadium) who may
not get the chance. Our season ticket sales have been phenomenal but as a
consequence many have been left frustrated. This may mean some get the
chance to go who would usually miss out. For me Europe is definitely a good
thing.

So on to transfers and the start of what is to be a very busy window. We
have had a well-publicised bid for Lacazette rejected. This bid was
rejected. The bid did not break down because of payment structure, it was
rejected because they wanted more money for him. The problem we have is
that PSG have registered their interest and with Ibrahimovic (another one of
our targets) leaving they want a top forward. The chance to raid one of
their main rivals, for their best player has been appealing to them. PSG
have a number of targets as well as Lacazette but Lyon know they have a man
in demand and a man they can demand more for. To say the bid is "dead" is
too early at this stage. It is early May so until the player joins another
club, the bid cannot be said to be dead. The player has expressed his
keenness to join an English club so there is a chance. Lyon have apparently
named their price and we are looking to meet it again. Whether this will be
enough with PSG being around I am not sure but the player is the number one
target.

We have launched enquires for many players. Another "enquiry" that has got
a lot of media attention is the discussion with Bournemouth for Richie and
Wilson. As I said at the time we were "keen" on both players and spoke to
his agent who passed on our interest to the club and leaked to the press.
The discussions with the agent were not intended to become public and were
not meant to come out just before Bournemouth played their last game. This
was all triggered by his agent and then became a good excuse for the
Bournemouth manager when they lost against Manchester United. We "enquired"
as to their availability and we wouldn't have paid anywhere near the £25m
that the media reported.

As I broke in one of my previous columns we have also triggered Jamie
Vardy's £25m release clause. Whether we can persuade him to leave a spot
in the Champions League with the current Champions is a different matter but
we will offer a large wage to do so. We are apparently happy to double his
wages and take him up to a huge basic wage.

Another player who we have launched a bid for and one I expect is the most
likely to go through at this stage is Jonathan Calleri the Argentine who
attracted the attention of the club whilst playing alongside Carlos Tevez at
Boca Juniors. This deal will be more likely to be a loan move.

We have enquired about many forwards Batshuayi being the main one but he
seems most likely to move to Spurs. There are domestic players in Benteke,
the Ayew's and Bony as well as a number of forwards who have scored in other
countries such as Icardi and Embolo (someone we have monitored for a while
but have doubts over). Another player who we are interested in but hasn't
been that well reported is Martin Braithwaite but again this is just an
enquiry rather than him necessarily being a top target. There is some talk
that Gignac, who we have been interested in before, could also be someone we
move for. He is currently in Mexico and apparently not happy. No enquiry
for him has been made but depending on how the other transfers go this may
be revisited. Another name to watch out for that hasn't been mentioned in
any media circles is Benjamin Moukandjo, a Cameroon International striker at
Lorient in France.

As far as right backs go I reported all the targets in my last column.
These where Gregory van der Wiel, his PSG teammate Serge Aurier, Debuchy of
Arsenal, Rafael da Silva the ex-Manchester United right back and a couple of
other French right backs. Slav also has a couple from his Turkish days that
he is interested in too. We have made an offer to Gregory Van Der Wiel but
he has a number of offers but he is the top target there. If not the club
may look at Debuchy.

Wingers are also a priority again last week's column covered these. It has
been well reported elsewhere that we would like Tore of Super Slav's former
club. Yes he is on there but meeting with Bilic in Turkey didn't happen
this week. There are many other wing targets on the list too and watch out
for a former Premier League player who has had an outstanding season in
France for Nice. Hatem Ben Arfa is out of contract this Summer and is a
player the club would be interested in.

What we have to be assured in is that the chairman is working flat out to
land the best deals for the club. We have already brought in Nordvteit who
I had reported for months, so we already have one player in and we will sign
another 6-8 players I think so it is early days and no need to panic.

In terms of player departures a number of clubs are lining up make an offer
for Valencia. We will entertain offers for him and he is most likely to go
to China who will pay large wages for him. This is also the likely
destination of Alex Song too. Another player who we could let go is Obiang.
I mentioned this in tweets about two weeks ago but Italian and Spanish clubs
are interested in him and he has been frustrated at his lack of first team
opportunities. He likes the club but is considering his options. If we
land our forward targets there is a chance that Sakho will be allowed to
leave. Bilic has lost some faith in him and would be prepared to let him
go. Borussia Mönchengladbach has showed keen interest and there would also
be domestic interest and from the French league. David Sullivan is a big
fan of Sakho and has a lot of time for him so it will be interesting to see
what happens with him. I think it will depend on how many forwards we land.

It is true that we are considering selling James Tomkins. Long term Bilic
sees this first choice centre back partnership being Ogbonna and Reid. Both
players are at an age where they can continue for a number of years now.
James Collins provides excellent immediate back up and of course you have
the highly talented Reece Burke and Reece Oxford providing competition too.
Both these players are concerned about their first team opportunities.
Burke's contract is up next year and he is yet to sign. He is a huge West
Ham fan but he has his career to think of and there is already a lot of
interest in him. This week it has been well reported how Reece Oxford has
rejected an initial contract. His agent has caused the club a number of
issues recently but the club hope he will sign an initial £20k a week deal
to keep both Manchester clubs away from him. This means that another West
Ham supporter in Tomkins could be surplus to requirements. Both Crystal
Palace and Sunderland, with two of his ex-managers Pardew and Allardyce, are
front runners in moving for the player. We would be likely to accept a
£10-£12m bid. O'Brien, Moses, Emineke and Song will all leave too and this
will free up a lot of wages for players.

I was pleased to introduce the Olympic Insider to the site this week,
alongside the Boleyn Informer, myself and The Sullivan brothers we should
have the transfers pretty well covered on the new site. Please have a look
round at the new layout, it appears to be considered a positive step by all.
We have also had a number of exciting developments with the site and I have
three big meetings lined up. More will follow but it does mean there isn't
a media form that we won't have covered. Our next fanzine is now available
to buy for £3 for a paper copy and then we sell it electronically
afterwards. There will be many interesting features in there plus I answer
more questions about my account that I get asked regularly. Information
that you will not find elsewhere. Last edition we sold out very early so if
you wish to get your copy then please order here. The West Ham Way Fanzine
we are still looking for people to advertise on the site so that we can keep
expanding. We have a range of different prices and opportunities so please
get in touch.

Finally I would like to congratulate the youth team in getting to the final
in Hong Kong. There is a number of talented players in that squad and Mark
Philips has worked wonders with them too. I expect to see many of them have
great futures in the game.

The summer is expected to be a scorcher in temperature and I am sure it will
be a great one in transfers for us

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
YOUNG NIGERIAN SET TO JOIN HAMMERS?
22 MAY 2016
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

Nigeria U20 international Agor Chukwudi is attracting concrete interest from
the English Premier League, with West Ham tabling a bid of 200,000 euros for
the highly-rated starlet – Original article

The 17-year-old Chukwudi is from the stable of ASJ Academy, the same nursery
team where the Arsenal linked midfielder Kelechi Nwakali first cut his
footballing teeth.

"West Ham have offered Agor Chukwudi a straight contract without him having
to undergo trials, very soon he'll turn 18,"says CEO ASJ Academy Emeka
Amajiriaku to allnigeriasoccer.com.

"We are studying the offer and it is very likely we will accept it. We are
interested in the player's development and not the money that is being
offered."

To make up for the meager transfer fee that has been offered by West Ham,
ASJ Academy have inserted a sell-on clause in the proposed deal, giving them
ten percent of the fees if the player moves on from the Londoners in future.

Chukwudi was one of the unsung heroes of the Golden Eaglets at the 2015 Fifa
Under 17 World Cup, featuring in their first four games during the
tournament and netted against the United States in the group stage.

And if his name did not ring a bell , he made the back pages after scoring
the game-winner on Saturday as the Nigeria U20s beat Burundi 1-0 in an
Africa U20 Cup of Nations qualifier.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham facing Olympic Stadium issue after qualifying for Europa League
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 22/05/16 2:45pm
SSN

West Ham are facing a logistical headache after qualifying for next season's
UEFA Europa League. The Hammers' place in Europe was confirmed on Saturday
following Manchester United's 2-1 FA Cup final victory over Crystal Palace.
West Ham, who will play their football at the 60,000-seater Olympic Stadium
next season, will enter the competition in the third qualifying round, with
the first leg scheduled to take place on July 28 and the second leg a week
later on August 4. The timing of the first leg poses a slight issue for
West Ham as the Olympic Stadium will be used for the London Anniversary
Games on the weekend of July 22. It usually takes seven days to convert the
stadium from athletics mode to football mode and this may cause an issue for
West Ham if they are drawn to play the first leg at home.
If West Ham are indeed drawn to play the first leg at home, Sky Sports News
HQ understand that the club are likely to ask for the location of the legs
to be switched. But if they avoid being drawn at home in the first leg, the
return match a week later will be played at the Olympic Stadium and will be
West Ham's first game at their new home. The club, however, will continue
to mark the official opening of the Olympic Stadium with a marquee friendly
against Serie A champions Juventus on August 7.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's shiny new home at the Olympic Stadium may NOT be ready for the
start of their season
15:02, 22 MAY 2016 UPDATED 15:02, 22 MAY 2016
BY LIAM CORLESS
An athletics event in late July means West Ham may be unable to play the
home leg of their Europa League qualifier at the Olympic Stadium
The Mirror

West Ham might have to find an alternative venue to the Olympic Stadium for
the home leg of their Europa League play-off. The Hammers' place in Europe
next season was confirmed after Manchester United beat Crystal Palace to win
the FA Cup on Saturday. United's victory meant West Ham qualified for the
Europa League by virtue of their seventh-placed Premier League finish. A
spot in the competition is reserved for the winners of the FA Cup, but as
United had already qualified for Europe through their fifth-placed league
finish, the spot dropped down to West Ham. The third qualifying round
matches are set to take place on Thursday 28 July and Thursday 4 August.

If West Ham are drawn to play the second leg at home, there won't be an
issue, but if they are drawn to play the first leg at home, they will have
to explore alternative venues to the Olympic Stadium. That's because an
athletics event is scheduled to take place at the Olympic Stadium between
22-24 July, and it takes a week for the venue to be set up for football
purposes, which means it won't be ready in time. West Ham will discover the
course of action they need to take when the draw is made on Friday 15 July.

The club said farewell to the Boleyn Ground - their home since 2004 - with
an emotional win over Manchester United on May 10th.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
European schedule – Keep these dates free!
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 22, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Keep these dates free in your diary! You never know, we could go all the
way!

Europa League Third qualifying round 15th July 2016 Draw date

First leg 28th July 20164 Second Leg 4th August 2016

Europa League Play-off round 5th August Draw date

First Leg 18th August 2016 Second Leg 25th August 2016

Europa League Group Stage 26th August 2016 Draw Date in Monaco

Euro trophyGroup Match 1 15th September 2016

Group Match 2 29th September 2016

Group Match 3 20th October 2016

Group Match 4 3rd November 2016

Group Match 5 24th November 2016

Group Match 6 8th December 2016

swedbank-Friends-arenaEuropa League Knock-Out Stage Last 32 12th December
Draw Date

First Leg 16th February 2017 Second leg 23rd February 2017

Europa League Knock-Out Stage Last 16 24th February Draw Date

First Leg 9th March 2017 Second leg 16th March 2017

stadiumEuropa League Quarter Finals 17th March Draw Date

First Leg 13th April 2017 Second leg 20th April 2017

Europa League Semi-Finals 21st April Draw Date

First Leg 4th May 2017 Second leg 11th May 2017

Europa League Final on 24th May 2017 at Friends Arena in Sweden

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Merson tips West Ham for Champions league
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 22, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has suggested that West Ham will qualify for
the Champions League by 2019.

West Ham will compete in the Europa League third qualifying round next
season after Manchester United won the FA Cup but at one point it looked
like the Hammers could have finished in the top four this season just gone.
West Ham reached a peak of third place during the season but spent a number
of weeks in fourth place. If it were not for some inconsistent referee
performances towards the end of the 2015-16 season the Irons could have
finished above Manchester City who finished the season just three points
above us in fourth place.

Merson says that West Ham who move to the former Olympic Stadium next season
will rub shoulders with Europe's elite in the coming years. Asked on Sky
Sports' Fantasy Football podcast whether West Ham would qualify for the
Champions League next year, Merson replied: "Within the next three years."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers bid for Nigerian midfield starlet
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 22, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Allnigeriasoccer.com claims that West Ham has tabled a bid of £155,000 for
U20 international Chukwudi Agor.
The 17-year-old is from the ASJ Academy, the same team where the Arsenal
linked midfielder Kelechi Nwakali first cut his footballing teeth.

"West Ham have offered Agor Chukwudi a straight contract without him having
to undergo trials, very soon he'll turn 18,"says CEO ASJ Academy Emeka
Amajiriaku to allnigeriasoccer.com. "We are studying the offer and it is
very likely we will accept it. We are interested in the player's development
and not the money that is being offered."

To make up for the small transfer fee that has been offered by West Ham, ASJ
Academy have inserted a sell-on clause in the proposed deal, giving them ten
percent of the fees if the player moves on from the Londoners in future.

Chukwudi was one of the unsung heroes of the Nigerian team at the 2015 Fifa
Under 17 World Cup, featuring in their first four games during the
tournament and netting against the United States in the group stage. He also
scored the winner on Saturday as the Nigeria U20s beat Burundi 1-0 in an
Africa U20 Cup of Nations qualifier.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com