Daily WHUFC News - 14th June 2017

Hammers to face Werder Bremen in Betway Cup
WHUFC.com

West Ham United will visit Germany to take on Werder Bremen in a unique and
prestigious two-legged Betway Cup encounter as part of our pre-season
preparations for the 2017/18 Premier League campaign. Slaven Bilic's men
will face the Bundesliga side in back-to-back matches on July 28 and 29,
during a 10-day trip that will form the second of two training camps in
Europe this summer, with the first taking place in Austria between July
10-21. The schedule has been planned to ensure that the pre-season build-up
is focused entirely on the fitness and conditioning needs of the playing
squad, with minimal travelling time and a consistent programme in place
ahead of the big Premier League kick-off on the weekend of August 12.

After arriving in northern Germany on July 24, the squad will train for
three days before facing Werder at the Osterwald Stadion in Schneverdingen
on July 28. The following day, the two clubs will meet again at the
Heinz-Dettmer Stadion in Lohne, with the aggregate score from both matches
deciding who takes home the Betway Cup, courtesy of West Ham United's
principal partner. Playing back-to-back matches in Germany will ensure that
the squad can work together at the same level for the vast majority of the
time that we are there

Hammers boss Bilic said: "The entire pre-season programme has been carefully
planned to make sure we build up the preparation perfectly and reach August
12 in ideal condition. Although we are in Europe, the travelling is not too
much, and everything is geared around what is best for the players. "Playing
back-to-back matches in Germany will ensure that the squad can work together
at the same level for the vast majority of the time that we are there, and
the two training camps will also be important for unity and togetherness.
"We have a number of players returning from injury at the beginning of
pre-season and so it is important that our preparation is exactly right to
give us the best opportunity of making the strongest possible start to the
new season."

Werder, who visited Upton Park two years ago at the start of Bilic's reign
and lifted the Betway Cup thanks to a 2-1 win, finished eighth in the German
top flight last season and contain a familiar face in former Chelsea striker
Claudio Pizarro. 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. Like West Ham, they have
also lifted the European Cup Winners' Cup once in their history, back in
1992. Prior to their visit in 2015, the only previous meeting between the
two clubs took place at the Weserstadion in August 1984. The German club ran
out 2-1 winners on that occasion, too.

Ticket information for both matches against Bremen will be announced on
whufc.com once confirmed, while the later stage of the pre-season schedule
will also be finalised soon.

Provisional fixtures for the 2017/18 Premier League season will be revealed
on whufc.com at 9am tomorrow.

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Manuel Lanzini starts as Argentina thrash Singapore
WHUFC.com

Manuel Lanzini made his first start for the Argentina national team as they
defeated Singapore 6-0 on Tuesday. Lanzini - who debuted for Jorge
Sampaoli's side in a friendly victory over Brazil four days ago - played the
first hour at Singapore's national stadium in a fixture which marked the
125th anniversary of the home team's FA. Argentina's romp to victory began
in the 25th minute when Tottenham defender Federico Fazio put them in front.
Joaquin Correa made it 2-0 before the break, after which further goals from
Alejandro Gomez, Leandro Paredes, Lucas Alario and Angel Di Maria completed
the scoring. It brings to a close an excellent season for Lanzini, who won
the Players' Player of the Year prize at the Club's Player Awards night in
May, before earning his first caps for his country this month.

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Ghana star Andre Ayew PLOTS West Ham exit despite claims Marseille ain't
keen on reunion
Published on: 13 June 2017
GhanaSoccer.net

West Ham United forward Andre Ayew is 'scratching at the door' of his former
club Marseille as he eyes exit from the London stadium. France Football
reports the 27-year-old is angling for a move after growing unsettled at the
club despite claims the French giants are not keen on a reunion. The former
Swansea City endured a difficult debut campaign at West Ham where injury
conspired against his form. The £20.5million record signing scored only six
goals for the side after staying out injured for three months. He spent the
next three weeks between January and February representing Ghana at the
international level during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. Widespread
reports in France are suggesting the Ghana international could be on his way
back to former club Marseille where he cut his teeth. Ayew headache is that
Marseille are unwilling to take him back, as reported by France Football and
that could throw a potential reunion in jeopardy. The forward played a part
for Ghana as they thrashed Ethiopia 5-0 in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations
qualifier on Sunday.

By Patrick Akoto

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West Ham may have played smart move biding time in Ross Barkley pursuit with
Everton chasing pair
HITC
Jordan Harris

West Ham United have been linked with a move for Ross Barkley, and a report
has suggested that the playmaker's Everton career is over. A report from the
Daily Star last month suggested that West Ham were interested in signing
Everton playmaker Ross Barkley, and were prepared to meet his staggering
wage demands of £140,000 a week. Just over a fortnight later, and the Daily
Mirror has suggested that Barkley could be about to spend the final season
of his Toffees contract on the sidelines with Ronald Koeman confident of
signing both Davy Klaassen and Gylfi Sigurdsson. So while it may have been
unintentional, perhaps it would be fair to suggest that West Ham have made a
smart move holding back on following up on their interest. The Star reported
that Everton wanted £50 million for Barkley. However, despite his obvious
talent, it would surely be a major surprise if any club was willing to offer
that for a player with one year left on his contract.
But while Barkley is high up the pecking order at Goodison Park, Everton may
be determined to hold out for a fee as close to their asking price as
possible.
However, with his importance to the side set to diminish significantly if
they land their two targets, the Toffees may be much more willing to listen
to lower offers just to ensure that he is off their books and not set to
move on for a compensation fee next season. And if that proves to be the
case and West Ham manage to capitalise and land Barkley for considerably
less than the £50 million previously quoted, then the Hammers fans will
undoubtedly reflect that the club were wise to initially step back and have
done a tremendous piece of business.

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West Ham eyeing Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud in bold summer move
JAMES BENGE
Evening Standard

West Ham are eyeing a move for Arsenal's Olivier Giroud as they plot a
summer rebuild of their striking department. The France international has
suggested that he will not settle for another season on the bench at Arsenal
having spent much of the year backing up Alexis Sanchez and then fighting
Danny Welbeck for a starting role. Giroud signed a new contract at Arsenal
in January that ties him to the club until the summer of 2019 and despite
having turned 30 during the season would command a sizeable transfer fee in
the event that the Gunners chose to sell him.
It is understood that would be an unlikely set of circumstances with Arsene
Wenger having consistently backed the French international, who has often
borne the brunt of criticism when Arsenal's form has hit the rocks. However
with the Gunners chasing Kylian Mbappe and Alexandre Lacazette Giroud could
feel that a move ensures he gets a regular starting role ahead of the 2018
World Cup. Speaking at a press conference last week Giroud said: "I want to
win the Premier League with the club. After, I do not know the future, it
will be necessary to take into account the transfer window. "I have had
limited playing time for several reasons but that is not to say that I lost
the confidence of the coach." He added: "I will not be content with limited
playing time next season.

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ANDRE AYEW ANGLING FOR A RETURN TO MARSEILLE
MICHAEL OLIVER @MichaelOIiver
ReadWestHam

West Ham broke their transfer record last summer with the £20.5m acquisition
of Andre Ayew from Swansea and after a slow start to life in east London, he
performed rather well.

In his debut season with the Hammers, Ayew netted six goals in 25
appearances but his performances in the final few months of the season
offered belief that he could develop into a leading player at the club.

That being said, he could still leave the club in the summer, with France
Football (h/t Sport Witness) claiming that Ayew is angling for a return to
his former club Marseille.

Last month, Marseille were linked with a £30m swoop to bring Ayew back to
the club, two years after he left on a free transfer to join Swansea.

The new investment and ambitious project in place at the Ligue 1 club was
enough to persuade Dimitri Payet to quit West Ham and rejoin Marseille back
in January, and it's claimed that Ayew could try and pull a similar move.

Whether Marseille are still interested in Ayew remains to be seen, but it's
unlikely that West Ham would like to do any business with the French side
anytime soon.

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PORTO EYE SWOOP FOR VALENCIAFeatured Image
Date: 13th June 2017 at 4:27pm
Written by: Barry Mullins
ThisIsFutbol

Champions League regulars Porto are eyeing a summer swoop for West Ham flop
Enner Valencia, according to an A Bola report. The Portuguese news outlet
claim the East London club have offered striker Valencia, who has failed to
impress Hammers manager Slaven Bilic, to the Portugese club for £7million.
It is said the 27-year-old was linked with a move to Porto last summer, but
he joined Everton on loan instead. The report states that Valencia does not
feature in Everton's plans next season, and with Bilic not a big fan, he
will be allowed to leave the London Stadium this summer. He struggled to
break into the first team while on loan at Goodison Park last term, and he
made just 23 appearances in all competitions. The 27-year-old joined West
Ham in the summer of 2014 in a £13million switch from Mexican outfit
Pachuca, and he has since played 72 league and cup games for the club, which
have yielded a paltry 10 goals and eight assists. However, Valencia does
boast an impressive goalscoring record on the international stage, and he
has netted 19 goals in 37 appearances for Ecuador. He has impressed in his
homeland to such an extent that he was made captain of his nation in his
most recent match, a 1-1 friendly draw with Venezuela. West Ham finished
11th in last season's Premier League, and Bilic is looking to bolster his
squad this summer, but it appears Valencia has been deemed as surplus to
requirements.

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West Ham United's Manuel Lanzini started for Argentina in 6-0 thrashing of
Singapore
Bradley Hayden
Guardian Series

West Ham midfielder Manuel Lanzini picked up his second cap for Argentina,
who thrashed Singapore 6-0 in a friendly this afternoon.
The Hammer's man started in midfield for a much changed Argentina side,
which also included PSG's Angel Di Maria and Juventus's Pablo Dybala. Goals
from Tottenham Hotspur's Federico Fazio, Joaquin Correa, Alejandro Gomez,
Leandro Paredes, Lucas Alario and Di Maria sealed a comfortable victory for
Argentina, in Jorge Sampaoli's second game as national team manager. Lanzini
played just under an hour for his country, having made his international
debut for Argentina on Friday against Brazil, where he came on as a second
half substitute. The 24-year-old was integral for West Ham boss Slaven Bilic
last season, scoring eight goals in 39 appearances in all competitions for
the Hammers.

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Revealed: West Ham release 2017/18 pre-season tour dates to Germany and
Austria
The Hammers will be taking on Werder Bremen in the Betway Cup
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
14:00, 13 JUN 2017UPDATED14:16, 13 JUN 2017

West Ham will visit Germany to take on Werder Bremen in a two-legged Betway
Cup encounter as part of their pre-season preparations for the 2017/18
Premier League campaign. Slaven Bilic's men will face the Bundesliga side in
back-to-back matches on July 28 and 29, during a 10-day trip that will form
the second of two training camps in Europe this summer, with the first
taking place in Austria between July 10-21.
The schedule has been planned to ensure that the pre-season build-up is
focused entirely on the fitness and conditioning needs of the playing squad,
with minimal travelling time and a consistent programme in place ahead of
the Premier League starting on August 12

After arriving in northern Germany on July 24, the squad will train for
three days before facing Werder at the Osterwald Stadion in Schneverdingen
on July 28. The following day, the two clubs will meet again at the
Heinz-Dettmer Stadion in Lohne, with the aggregate score from both matches
deciding who takes home the Betway Cup.

Hammers boss Bilic said: "The entire pre-season programme has been carefully
planned to make sure we build up the preparation perfectly and reach August
12 in ideal condition. Although we are in Europe, the travelling is not too
much, and everything is geared around what is best for the players. "Playing
back-to-back matches in Germany will ensure that the squad can work together
at the same level for the vast majority of the time that we are there, and
the two training camps will also be important for unity and togetherness.
"We have a number of players returning from injury at the beginning of
pre-season and so it is important that our preparation is exactly right to
give us the best opportunity of making the strongest possible start to the
new season."

Werder, who visited Upton Park two years ago at the start of Bilic's reign
and lifted the Betway Cup thanks to a 2-1 win, finished eighth in the German
top flight last season and contain a familiar face in former Chelsea striker
Claudio Pizarro.

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Bacca-on? Could West Ham reignite move for longstanding target after Milan
sign Portuguese superstar
HITC
Damien Lucas

West Ham United are desperately searching for strikers this summer and could
try once again for AC Milan star Carlos Bacca. Back at the beginning of May,
the Hammers were linked with a move for Colombian striker Bacca by
Talksport, having chased him last summer. Slaven Bilic's side have struggled
for strikers let alone goals from their strikers after recruiting poorly
last summer and seeing Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho once again spend more
time on the treatment table than the pitch. According to a recent report
from the Daily Mirror, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is interested in
bringing AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca to the Emirates next season, as part
of a major investment move in his squad. The 30-year-old Colombian striker,
who rose to fame after scoring 49 goals in 108 games for Spanish side
Sevilla, has been AC Mlilan's main striker since 2015, scoring 34 goals in
74 appearances for the Rossoneri. But the arrival of Portuguese star Andre
Silva from Porto at Milan - as reported by The Sun - will put Bacca's future
severely in doubt, particularly given the club were keen to sell him on last
summer. Bilic has targeted four "game-changer" signings this summer and has
already brought in Pablo Zabaleta on a free transfer. He is believed to be
targeting two top quality strikers but has thus far failed to land rumoured
prime targets Kelechi Iheanacho and Michy Batshuayi, even if it is still
early days. Arsenal's Olivier Giroud and Chelsea duo Tammy Abraham and
Bertrand Traore have also been linked in the last week. But could Bilic use
Silva's arrival at the San Siro to push again for proven quality Bacca who
actually turned down a move to East London last summer despite West Ham
having a bid accepted for his services.

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Wonderkid Onyekuru to jet into West Ham on Tuesday for talks - reports
The young striker is apparently on his way to London to discuss a switch to
West Ham
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
07:00, 13 JUN 2017

Henry Onyekuru is reportedly on his way into London today (Tuesday) to gold
talks with West Ham over a switch. The 20-year-old wonderkid is currently at
KAS Eupen but is not expected to be there much longer, with the Hammers in
pole position to bring him to the Premier League. The club has competition
from Arsenal for his signature but according to the Daily Mail, Onyekuru is
keen on a switch to east London. This is despite some other reports claiming
the Hammers have had a bid of £7m turned down by the Belgian side and they
also want him to go to a more "prestigious" club. But, we understand the
youngster is set to jet in to England today and hold talks with the Hammers,
likely to be at the training ground in Rush Green.

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Slaven Bilic's move to bring Joe Hart to West Ham United looks very smart
HITC
John Verrall

West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing Joe Hart from
Manchester City. West Ham United could be making a very smart move by
signing Joe Hart on loan from Manchester City (The Sun), before committing
to buy him outright. West Ham are interested in taking the England
international, but aren't prepared to pay a fee this summer. And the
Hammers' plan could be a clever one, as doubts linger over Hart's form. Hart
was not exactly rock solid on a loan move at Torini over the past summer,
and his latest performance for England has been called into question. Hart
has been blamed for not saving either of Leigh Griffiths' free-kicks for
Scotland, in a 2-2 draw.
And West Ham's try-before-you-buy could save them the risk of buying a
goalkeeper who is badly out of form. Hart appears to need to regain
confidence to get back to his very best, and a move to West Ham could help
him achieve that aim. However, by taking him on loan, West Ham would be
taking any risk out of signing the out-of-form stopper - and Slaven Bilic
should be commended for his transfer market foresight.

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WEST HAM READYING SECOND OFFER FOR ONYEKURU
LUKE OSMAN @LukeOsmanRS
ReadWestHam

West Ham are reportedly ready to make a second bid to sign KAS Eupen striker
Henry Onyekuru this summer. It was initially reported today that the Hammers
were knocked back by the Belgian club in their first move to sign the young
forward, but it's not looking as though their intentions to bring him to the
London Stadium this summer have faltered. Onyekuru finished the season as
Eupen's top scorer and enjoyed a highly successful breakthrough season. Now,
according to All Nigeria Soccer, the Hammers are set to go back in and make
an improved offer for his signature. It's also claimed in the report that
West Ham will bid again for Onyekuru's compatriot Kelechi Iheanacho as they
look to lure him away from the grasp of Manchester City.

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"He's not homeless": Manchester attack hero pictured 'back on street' is
living in hotel paid for by West Ham
Stephen has hit back at 'haters', saying he's in the process of choosing
rented accommodation paid for by the son of the club's chairman
The Mirror
BYNICOLA OAKLEY
20:26, 12 JUN 2017UPDATED21:14, 12 JUN 2017

Dave Sullivan Jnr, the son of West Ham co-chairman Dave Sullivan, has hit
back at claims the homeless hero of the Manchester terror attack is still
living on the streets - and enlisted the help of the man himself to quash
concerns. Stephen Jones, who pulled nails out of children's faces after a
'dockyard confetti' bomb was detonated at the city's arena, has received
almost £32,000 in donations via a JustGiving page. But this week he was
pictured huddling next to a bin in a red sleeping bag, drenched by the rain,
sparking concern he had not received any of the money and was not being
helped to create a better life for himself. Setting the record straight,
Dave Sullivan Jnr took to Twitter today to tell worried followers that he is
currently paying for the hero to stay in a hotel - and the club is also in
the process of sorting rented accommodation for him. He said: "He is NOT
homeless he is in a hotel (we are paying for this) and we are waiting on
Steve to choose his accommodation. "I have spoken to Steven TODAY. He has
been in a hotel for a long time which I've been paying for, he is still
choosing his accommodation. "We aim to have a tenancy agreement in place by
the end of the week. I'm going up to manc (sic) on July 1st to see him."
Sullivan offered no explanation for the recent photographs which show the
homeless hero sitting back on the street. Dave then took it one step further
and called Stephen - putting him on speaker while he recorded a video of his
phone - who also said the 'haters' don't realise it's a lengthy process and
he's 'going to look homeless'. He can be heard saying: "A lot of newspapers
are saying you're homeless. Can you say you're not homeless? Can you explain
you're not homeless?" Trying to offer an explanation for the photographs,
Stephen replied: "People have gotta realise -obviously I've told you I've
got no clothes. I'm coming from the hotel - I'm carrying my bag with me with
all my belongings. I'm gonna look homeless, do you understand what I mean?
"These people have gotta realise things don't happen overnight."
Dave responded: "As I've said to you, I'm coming up in a week or two to come
and buy you clothes and all that stuff." He also revealed that Stephen is in
the process of signing a tenancy agreement for a house he's already chosen.
Referring to those who are concerned his JustGiving funds have not been
released and he is not yet receiving the help he deserves, Stephen said:
"They've got to understand that things don't happen overnight. "It's a
lengthy process. I've been going through this housing agency wanting a birth
certificate and everything. "All these people are just haters, they wanna
realise I am getting help and people are helping me. I've addressed the drug
problem and now it's addressing the housing problem, which I have done.
"Things are not magic."

It comes after claims that Stephen was still living on the streets weeks
after the Manchester Arena bombing despite the fact that thousands was
donated to help him find a home. The former bricklayer was sleeping rough
close to the city centre arena when the explosion from Salman Abedi's bomb
killed 22 and injured another 60. He initially thought the blast was a
firework but was horrified when screaming youngsters emerged from the arena.
Instead of running away from the danger, he desperately tried to help the
children, wiping blood from their eyes, and it was then he realised the
devastating impact of their injuries. In an interview, an emotional Stephen
said: "We were having to pull nails and bits of glass out of their arms and
faces." He recalled seeing the "lifeless" bodies of children on the floor,
next to their "hysterical" mothers. A JustGiving page was also set up in a
bid to get 'Steve off the streets' and has raised £31,562 of its £32,000
target.

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Report claims Henry Onyekuru could still make England move; player impressed
by West Ham United's commitment
HITC
Aiden Cusick

There have been conflicting reports surrounding the West Ham United target's
future. West Ham United are still in with a shout of signing Eupen forward
Henry Onyekuru, the Daily Mail reports. It had been claimed the Belgians had
turned down proposals in favour of selling the 20-year-old to a 'more
prestigious club'. However, Onyekuru is said to be eager to play in the
Premier League and has been impressed by West Ham's commitment to signing
him.
Sky Sports stated last week the Hammers were the new front-runners for
Onyekuru's signature, ahead of six divisional rivals including Arsenal and
Swansea City. And subsequent reports have backed up the broadcaster's claim
that the 22-goal star is flying to England this week to commence
negotiations with other clubs.
According to the Daily Mail, 'totting up' enough points to gain a work
permit will be key to the Nigeria international's Premier League move. The
report adds that West Ham midfielder Havard Nordtveit is interesting
Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg.

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West Ham consider Joe Hart loan - but Manchester City outcast must take
£75,000-a-week wage cut
Hart is earning around £175,000-a-week and his demands are stopping him from
joining another club
The Mirror
BYDARREN LEWIS
21:34, 12 JUN 2017

Joe Hart's £175,000-a-week wages are preventing him from landing a loan move
to another Premier League club. The 30-year-old Manchester City outcast has
revealed he has yet to receive an offer to play next season. West Ham are
monitoring his situation but Hart would need to slash his wage demands by at
least £75,000 a week if he wants to move to the London Stadium. With Dimitri
Payet no longer at the club, West Ham's top earner is Andy Carroll on
£100,000 a week – and the Londoners are not prepared to top that. Hart, who
spent last season at Torino, needs regular first-team football if he is to
make England's World Cup squad next summer. The Hammers are hoping to
conclude the signing of 20-year-old striker Henry Onyekuru from Belgian club
Eupen within the next week. Arsenal are interested in the Nigerian but can't
promise him regular first-team football. The rising star, who scored 20
goals in Belgium last season, is expected to put pen to paper on a five-year
deal worth £35,000 a week.

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