Daily WHUFC News - 31st May 2018

Zabaleta: Pellegrini always plays to win
WHUFC.com

Pablo Zabaleta is acutely aware of the qualities Manuel Pellegrini brings to West Ham United. It is 17 years since the Argentinian defender and Chilean manager's paths first crossed, 7,000 miles from London Stadium in the Flores district of Buenos Aires. Back then, Zabaleta was a 17-year-old reserve-team player for San Lorenzo, while Pellegrini was in charge of the first team. The teenager watched, impressed, as the manager led the Blue and Red to the 2001 Primera Division Clausura title and Copa Mercosur – South America's equivalent of the UEFA Europa League. A few seasons later, in 2005/06, they would come face to face again, but this time on opposite sides, as Pellegrini's Villarreal beat Zabaleta's Espanyol twice on their way to finishing seventh in Spain's La Liga. The full-back moved to England with Manchester City in 2008 and, five years on, Pellegrini joined him. As was the case at San Lorenzo more than a decade before, the manager brought immediate success, but this time Zabaleta was at the centre of it, making 35 appearances as City won the Premier League in May 2014 – clinching the title with a 2-0 win over the Club which now employs them both again. Across the three seasons Zabaleta and Pellegrini worked together in the Warehouse City, the player made more than 100 appearances, adding two League Cup winner's medals, and the popular Hammer is looking forward to joining forces with his fellow South American again.
"Manuel Pellegrini is a very successful manager with great football experience, not just in England but in many different leagues," said West Ham's No5. "When I was a teenager with the San Lorenzo club in Buenos Aires, in Argentina, I was in the second team and he was the first-team manager. "He did well when we were at San Lorenzo. He had success there, he built a good team, won the Primera Division title and set some records. "After he left San Lorenzo he went to River Plate and won another Primera Division title. He was always keen on youth development, too, bringing through good young players who went on to do very well. "He went to Spain with Villarreal and did a great job, taking them to the Champions League semi-finals. I played against his teams many times when I was with Espanyol and they were always very tough opponents. "He did well at Real Madrid and Malaga, then he came to Manchester City, where we worked together for three seasons and won the Premier League title and some other big competitions. "He's a very quiet person, but he is also very determined and very strong in his belief about how football should be played. He likes to play good, attractive football, and he plays to win, which the fans of all the clubs he has managed have always enjoyed. "He has always been a good manager and I am sure he will show that again with West Ham. I welcome him to the Club and wish him good luck."

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Lanzini starts for Argentina in World Cup warm-up win
WHUFC.com

Manuel Lanzini helped Argentina to a 4-0 FIFA World Cup warm-up win over Haiti in Buenos Aires on Tuesday evening. The West Ham United attacking midfielder was named in the starting XI by manager Jorge Sampaoli and played for the opening 58 minutes at Boca Juniors' Bombonera stadium. The 25-year-old played alongside Paris Saint-Germain's Giovani Lo Celso and ahead of former Hammer Javier Mascherano in central midfield, with Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Lo Celso's PSG teammate Angel Di Maria supporting Juventus' Gonzalo Higuain in a star-studded attack.
It was Messi who took centre-stage, scoring his sixth international hat-trick, with Lanzini starting in the move for his third goal. The West Ham player found the overlapping Higuain, whose cross was headed goalwards by Lo Celso. Haiti goalkeeper Johnny Placide saved well, but Messi was on hand to score his 64th international goal. Manchester City's Sergio Aguero climbed off the substitutes' bench to net the fourth and final goal midway through the second half. By then, Lanzini's work had been done against a Haiti team who were outclassed by two-time World Cup winners, as he was replaced by Independiente's Maximiliano Meza just before the hour-mark. Lanzini, who won his fourth cap in his home city, will harbour real hopes of starting Argentina's opening World Cup Group D fixture against Iceland in Moscow on Saturday 16 June. Before then, La Celeste face Israel in Jerusalem in their final warm-up fixture on Saturday 9 June.

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Ray: Successful WSL bid shows West Ham has a bright future
WHUFC.com

West Ham United Ladies general manager Karen Ray says the Hammers' successful WSL bid is just one of a host of examples of the investment the Club is making in its long-term future. The Ladies became one of just eleven clubs to be awarded Tier 1 status as part of a nationwide restructuring of the women's game on Monday, meaning they will kick-off the 2018/19 season in the top-flight alongside the likes of champions Chelsea and their fellow UEFA Women's Champions League semi-finalists Manchester City, Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool. Ray pointed to the Club's backing of a bid described as 'extremely impressive' by the FA Women's Football Board, as well as plans to redevelop the Academy's base at Chadwell Heath and the ever-expanding work done by the West Ham United Foundation, as confirmation of the Hammers' bright future. "The Club has shown huge investment in the Ladies and the U23s, with the development they are doing at Chadwell Heath, and the work we do in the community also continues to grow," she said. "The Ladies section of this is a huge part of it and we're a very accessible team, so we'll be able to provide opportunities for the community and work alongside the boys' Academy as we move into professional status."

Focusing on the Ladies section, Ray is relishing the prospect of English football's biggest clubs visiting Rush Green – which will also undergo summer improvements outlined in the WSL bid – when the new campaign kicks-off in September. By then, a new first-team manager and a number of top-class players will have joined West Ham's first full-time professional female squad. "At the moment, the players people relate to are the players who play for the top clubs and hopefully, once they start coming to watch our games at West Ham, they'll see we have some big names and top players at our club as well," Ray confirmed. "Those games we're going to be playing against the Chelseas, Arsenals and Manchester Citys are one of the reasons why we went ahead with our WSL bid. We're looking forward to them, we're not fearing them and looking forward to inviting people down and seeing how professionally we do things. I think people will be surprised with what we've got going on.

"Managing director Jack Sullivan and I have been working really hard behind the scenes to strategically place a new coach to get ready for this and we're looking forward to being able to announce the news. "We've been working behind the scenes for a month now behind the scenes to get ourselves ready for the good news, if it came, and thankfully we're now in a position to offer those players we've been speaking to full-time contracts. "There is going to be some very exciting news coming out with regard to the new coach and then some new players we're bringing in. "Hopefully the young girls within our community will be able to relate to the girls on the pitch and look forward to seeing new role models out there alongside the ones who are already there."

While Ray knows challenging for a WSL title may be an ambitious target in year one, she is determined to build a squad and staff capable of competing at the highest level, on and off the pitch. "Katie Brazier, The FA's head of women's leagues and competitions, has obviously been quoted as saying that the aim was to have an even number of teams in the new WSL, but because of how strong our bid was, they couldn't say 'No' to us, which is a really big compliment coming from one of the heads of women's football. We're really proud of that. "I think they've done the right thing in putting us up to Tier 1 because we're ready for it and we have the infrastructure and the support of the Club and the wider community. "We had more than 1,300 fans come to watch our final league game and that shows the interest in what we're trying to do and the attractiveness of women's football and what it's becoming."

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West Ham closing in on Marlon deal
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 30th May 2018
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are said to be closing in on the capture of Barcelona defender Marlon Santos. As KUMB reported earlier this week, new Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini has moved swiftly to resolve the club's defensive issues by lining up the 22-year-old Brazilian. And according to reports in Spain, Barcelona have accepted an offer in the region of €15million for the central defender, who spent last season on loan in France with OGC Nice but is set to agree a five-year contract with West Ham.
The front page of Wednesday's Daily Sport also runs with the story, suggesting that the Catalans - who were initially seeking €20million for the defender - will allow Marlon to join West Ham for the cut price fee, which equates to some £13million.
A product of the Fluminense Academy in Brazil, Marlon originally signed for Barcelona on a season-long loan in 2016, making his debut in a Champions League tie against Celtic. Having impressed in Spain he was snapped up on a four-year contract for €5million. Yet despite impressing initially, Barca boss Ernesto Valverde allowed Marlon to join Nice last summer on a two-year loan deal with a €20million option-to-buy - a clause that has now apparently been triggered by the mystery English club.

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STICK OR TWIST: WINGERS
By Iain Dale 30 May 2018 at 08:00
WTID

We've always been strong in wide positions but is this still the case? I'm not sure it is…

Joao Mario
Joao Mario certainly didn't look like a £39 million player when he arrived and it took him some time to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League. By the end of the season we began to see the real player. He scored a couple of goals and was arguably our best player against Everton in the last match. If we can get him for £20 million, I'd say we should do so, but this looks unlikely with Milan holding our for at least £26 million. His agent is touting him around, so a long game might well attract a bargain. He scored in Portugal's friendly against Tunisia this week. I suppose the peril in playing a long game is the fact that if he has a stunning World Cup his value will shoot up again.

Michail Antonio
He certainly didn't have his best season last time around and was plagued by injury after injury and persistently being played out of position. I've almost forgotten what his best position actually is, and I fear he might have done so too. Crystal Palace are rumoured to see him as a replacement for Wilfred Zaha. Given his ability to score goals and his speed, we would be mad to consider selling hi,. He's a real Pellegrini type of player and I think the new manager will get the best out of him.

Manuel Lanzini
Our 'Little Jewel' had a great season, which would have been even better without his injuries. He still managed 27 games, scoring a crucul five goals – many of them spectacular – in the process. His beauty is his versatility, and can play wide left or centre midfield. I'd love to see him play in the hole behind two strikers, rather like Eyal Berkovic used to. If he has a good World Cup expect big clubs to sniff around him.

Robert Snodgrass
Snodgrass has been a success at every club he has played for, apart from West Ham, for whom he has made only 15 appearances without troubling the scorers. His season as Villa Park on loan proved highly successful and there's little doubt that Steve Bruce will want to sign him on a permanent basis. The only question is the fee. We'd certainly be looking to recoup most of the £10 million we paid for him. I see little point in him remaining at West Ham.

Conclusion
We need to sign two quality wingers, to play on either side. Antonio and Lanzini can be injury prone and also need the competition.

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West Ham ready for challenge of Women's Super League, says Jack Sullivan
By Richard Cooke
Last Updated: 30/05/18 1:16pm
SSN

West Ham Ladies are ready to take their place in Women's Super League, according to managing director Jack Sullivan. The Hammers were the biggest winners from the Football Association's recent restructure of the women's football pyramid after being promoted two divisions into the top flight of the women's game.
From next season, West Ham will play in a new, fully professional top division made up of 11 teams. Sullivan, who was a guest on Sky Sports News' Sportswomen show, said: "Obviously it is going to be very hard, it is going to be tough, but I think that is the same for anyone who jumps up even one division. "We're jumping two divisions but it's exciting, we've been planning for the last two months to try to make sure that everything is ready and everything is perfect. "I don't think it will be too much of a jump. We know what to expect, obviously, the playing standard is going to rise but it very exciting and we're looking forward to the adventure."
All clubs must meet new, full-time criteria and run a youth academy. Karen Ray, West Ham Ladies general manager, added: "It would be hard to find another team with people in the backroom staff that have as much passion about this as us. "The infrastructure that we have supersedes most others. It is a really exciting team and the support I've had from everyone in and around has been absolutely phenomenal. "I've learned so much from working alongside Jack about his side of the business and it's going to continue to grow".

The new look second tier, re-named the FA Women's Championship, requires the players to be part-time. Charlton, Leicester, Sheffield United and Lewes have been successful in their bids - alongside Manchester United who will create a new team from scratch after disbanding their women's team 13 years ago. Sunderland are the biggest losers among the current top-flight teams. They finished seventh in 2017-18 but will miss out on next season's competition.

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West Ham target Skorupski hints at summer transfer
By Josh Challies - May 30, 2018 0

Manuel Pellegrini has plenty of work to do at West Ham this summer and one of his most important pieces of business is identifying a new first-choice stopper. Joe Hart has returned to Manchester City after a disappointing loan spell at the London Stadium, while speculation also suggests that Adrian could be on the way out.
Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb have stated that the Hammers are keen on the services of Roma stopper Lukas Skorupski, who has struggled for first-team football in the Italian capital. That's handed West Ham a boost in the market as Football Italia quote the goalkeeper as suggesting to Polish outlet Sportwefakty that a summer transfer is on the cards. Playing as understudy to Brazil international Alisson at the Stadio Olimpico last season, 27-year-old Skorupski made just two appearances across all competitions.

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Manchester United want Marko Arnautovic from West Ham
By Sky Sports News
Last Updated: 30/05/18 5:03pm
SSN

Manchester United are interested in signing West Ham forward Marko Arnautovic, according to Sky sources. Sky Sports News understands the Hammers have no intention of the selling the 29-year-old and value him at £50m. Arnautovic joined West Ham from Stoke for a club-record £25m fee last summer and scored 11 goals during his debut season with the club. The Austria international, who also contributed six assists during the 2017/18 campaign, has four years left to run on his contract at the London Stadium. Arnautovic previously worked with United manager Jose Mourinho during their time together at Inter Milan in 2009. He made only three appearances for Inter during an unsuccessful loan spell at the San Siro from FC Twente and subsequently joined Werder Bremen in the summer of 2010.
Meanwhile, United remain in talks to sign Porto full-back Diogo Dalot and Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of next season. Sky sources understand West Ham are in talks to sign Genoa defender Armando Izzo and are also interested in Barcelona defender Marlon Santos with new manager Manuel Pellegrini aiming to sign up to five players this summer.

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West Ham will not sell Marko Arnautovic amid Manchester United links
JACK ROSSER
ES Sport

West Ham's club record signing Marko Arnautovic is not for sale this summer. The Austrian, who joined from Stoke for an initial £20million with add-ons a year ago, is reportedly of interest to his former manager Jose Mourinho and Manchester United this summer as they look to close the gap on Manchester City, though no bid has been made as of yet. However, the east London club, who are aiming high once more having appointed Manuel Pellegrini as David Moyes' successor, consider Arnautovic off limits to any suitors. The 29-year-old endured a slow start to his career in east London, however, under the guise of Moyes, scored 11 Premier League goals – the first West Ham player to reach double figures since Diafra Sakho in the 2014/15 season – and was named Hammer of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and Signing of the Season at the club's end of season awards last month. The Hammers are set for a busy summer with Pellegrini set to be handed at least £75million to spend and while that will be partially funded by player sales, Arnautovic is very much staying put.

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Man Utd transfer news: West Ham fear Jose Mourinho will land Marko Arnautovic deal
MANCHESTER UNITED's interest in West Ham star Marko Arnautovic has sent fear around the London Stadium, according to reports.
By JACK OTWAY
PUBLISHED: 17:47, Wed, May 30, 2018 | UPDATED: 18:03, Wed, May 30, 2018
Express.co.uk

Manchester United have emerged as possible suitors for West Ham star Arnautovic as Jose Mourinho targets Premier League glory next season. The Austria international only left Stoke 12 months ago, signing for West Ham in a huge £24million transfer. However, Manchester United are now being linked with Mourinho supposedly determined to secure a reunion. Mourinho previously managed the forward at Inter Milan, where the duo had a rocky relationship. Yet Guardian journalist Jacob Steinberg say West Ham fear Arnautovic becoming distracted. He said on Twitter: "West Ham insistent that Marko Arnautovic is not for sale despite more links with Manchester United. "Concern for West Ham will be that the talk will unsettle Arnautovic. "Mind you, if they get a stupidly high offer for a 29-year-old, there's an argument they should take it."
United's interest in Arnautovic suggests Mourinho is about to change his transfer plans. Because, earlier this year, he claimed the Red Devils would not be prioritising any forwards following their signing of Alexis Sanchez in January. He said: "It's bad for you because you like to have things to write and things to speculate especially in the summer, but I don't want attacking players so don't speak about attacking players coming here because nobody is coming here.
"Juan Mata, Lukaku, Rashford, Martial, Alexis…I don't want attacking players so for speculation in the summer you have to go to other areas, but for attacking players I am really happy. "We have to improve not in the quality of the players, we have to improve in the dynamic of the team and in the efficiency."

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The transfer tricks employed by Mario Husillos at Malaga that may work to West Ham's advantage
The Argentine is expected to take over as West Ham's new head of recruitment and join Manuel Pellegrini in the capital
By Sam Inkersole West Ham Correspondent
13:45, 30 MAY 2018

West Ham are close to appointing Mario Husillos as the club's new head of recruitment, having dispensed with the services of Tony Henry in February this year.
The Argentine worked with new Hammers manager Manuel Pellegrini at Spanish side Malaga where they reached the Champions League quarter final and also earned their highest-ever La Liga finish. Husillos has been hand-picked by Pellegrini to take charge of transfers and take some of the decision-making away from West Ham co-owner David Sullivan, though he will still have some say in transfers. Husillos returned to Malaga earlier this year and signed eight new players though it didn't particularly work very well as the Spanish side were relegated to the Segunda Division, with many fans pointing the blame at the transfer guru for the failings. Working with Pellegrini in Spain, Husillos helped sign and develop the likes of Isco, Nacho Monreal, Juanmi, Joaquin, Jesus Gamez and Jeremy Toulalan before all were sold on for big profits.
When it was announced that Husillos was returning to the club in February, he spoke at a press conference where he revealed how he operates in the transfer market. With that in mind, it could give hints as to how he will approach this current transfer window for West Ham if he gets the job. Back in February, the former Real Murcia manager said: "When you arrive at a team, unless you do so well in advance, with a very long-term project, it's always a delicate moment. When a new sports director arrives, or a new coach, people tend to focus on changes. I, usually, believe in the people who are here, they are the most important. "The main thing is to try and help, see what you can do, and what you can make available to them. Then, I think there's a great match with the needs of the team.
"I think it'll be an incentive for everyone. People who were playing more regularly will now have more competition. This will increase the internal rivalry within the squad. That was the objective."

Leicester recruitment chief Eduardo Macia has also been linked with the post but it's looking increasingly likely that Husillos will get the job and it can be seen as a win for Pellegrini, who hand-picked Husillos, to take the job in his first victory of power at West Ham. Pellegrini is likely to have a huge say in transfers as well, with the 64-year-old manager saying he wants to bring in at least four or five new players to the Hammers after a couple of seasons of struggle at the London Stadium.

West Ham have been linked with the likes of Jamaal Lascelles, Yaya Toure and Adama Traore in recent days, alongside Nice defender Marlon and have ong standing interest in Fulham duo Tom Cairney and Ryan Fredericks though both achieved promotion to the Premier League at the weekend as the Whites beat Aston Villa in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

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PELLEGRINI TO OFFER LIFELINE TO SNODGRASSFeatured Image
Date: 30th May 2018 at 2:20pm
Written by: Wayne Howard
ReadWestHam

Manuel Pellegrini will offer a West Ham lifeline to attacker Robert Snodgrass, according to Football London. The Trinity Mirror site claim the new Hammers manager is keen to give a second chance to winger Snodgrass after a successful season on loan at Aston Villa. The Scotland international was criticised by managing director Karren Brady after he struggled to make an impact following his £10.2million move from Hull City in January of last year before he joined Villa. Writing in the Sun newspaper last December about January signing plans, Brady said: "Robert Snodgrass wasn't exactly a triumph, while Hammers fans could name several foreign players who added little. "The obvious fact is we need one or two who the manager believes will be a real plus. But no bargains that fall apart under the Prem's pressure."

OPINION

Pellegrini is a considerably better judge of a footballer than Brady, or her partners in boardroom chaos, David Sullivan and David Gold. Quite why they were so publicly critical last season of Snodgrass, a fine player who is still on their books and a bankable asset, is a mystery and symptomatic of their appalling lack of discretion. There isn't a Championship club out there – and a few Premier League ones, too – who wouldn't bite the two Davids' hands off if there was a sniff of landing Snodgrass for a bargain fee. He showed at Villa that he remains a winger of class and potency, whose crossing and dead-ball expertise is on a completely different level to most players in the English second tier. Little wonder Pellegrini is keen to have a good look at the Scot in pre-season, although it might require all the Chilean's famed charm to get Snodgrass back on board after the appalling comments of Brady and co.

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Martin Odegaard transfer latest: Liverpool, Tottenham and West Ham target available as he will NOT join Heerenveen again
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Liverpool, Tottenham and West Ham are all on red alert after teen star Martin Odegaard revealed he will not be returning to Heerenveen. The 19-year-old has spent the last 18 months on loan at the Dutch club from Real Madrid and he has caught the eye there. The attacking midfielder is now keen to continue his development, but he is unsure if he will get enough game time at the Bernabeu next season. Before he joined Heerenveen, Liverpool and West Ham were chasing Odegaard – while Spurs are now said to also have an interest in him. And the Denmark international has given the Premier League trio a big boost by revealing he won't be going back to the Netherlands for another loan. "The important thing is to go to a team where I can play," Odegaard told Norwegian agency NTB. "A loan to another Spanish club is a good alternative, but right now I don't know a whole lot. "It is important for me to find the right environment of a club, where I can play but as yet there have been no decisions, but I will not return to the Netherlands. "I don't know what's going to happen, but if nothing happens, I'll do preseason with Madrid and it's a great chance to show myself."

Real Madrid are thought to still have high hopes for Odegaard, but they would reportedly be willing to let him go on loan again.

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WEST HAM HAVE SANTOS RESERVATIONS
Date: 30th May 2018 at 3:02pm
Written by: Wayne Howard
ReadWestHam

West Ham could pull the plug on their pursuit of Barcelona defender Marlon Santos amid reports in Spain a deal worth £15.7million is done, according to the Guardian. The newspaper claim the Hammers have reservations about pushing through the capture of the centre-back, 22, due to concern as to whether his 5ft 11in physique is well enough equipped for English football. Mundo Deportivo claimed earlier today (Wednesday) that Santos has already agreed the terms of a five-year contract with West Ham and talks over the fee are advanced but the Guardian claim a bid has not yet been lodged by the London club.

OPINION

Have the Spanish media got ahead of themselves over the transfer of Santos to the Premier League? Or are West Ham about to make an epic U-turn? Certainly, it appears they have got cold feet over pushing through a signing that is major money by their standards. Only a few players in the Hammers' history have cost more than £16million, and the club have had their fingers burned over a few of the big-money captures. One thing is for sure, Santos' height is not going to change, so new manager Manuel Pellegrini and the board need to decide whether he is the answer to their team's chronic defensive problems. The Brazilian is not small, but he is far from a giant, and height matters in the Premier League. Contesting aerial balls is a key part of the job description, although plenty of players of similar height to Santos have had an outstanding spring and punched far above their weight – so to speak – in the air. Tim Cahill and Les Ferdinand are two examples. Moreover, Santos has other qualities. He is mobile, technically good and reads the game well. Buy a giant alongside him and West Ham could be in business.

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Should West Ham swoop for Sam Johnstone after Villa's play-off failure?
HITC
Tom Seymour

Sam Johnstone will not be joining Aston Villa from Manchester United so should West Ham United finally make their move? The financial implications for Aston Villa after losing to Fulham in the Championship playoff final could be hugely damaging for the club. The Telegraph reports that they are now in serious danger of breaking Financial Fair Play rules next season after failing to secure their return to the Premier League. The budget will therefore be much more strict for next term, with captain John Terry expected to leave after his contract expires and moves to sign loan trio Lewis Grabban, Sam Johnstone and Robert Snodgrass permanently having been scrapped. The news that Johnstone will not be heading back to Villa from parent club Manchester United could well be greeted in a positive fashion at West Ham United, though. As football.london reports, the Hammers have kept tabs on the goalkeeper in the past with Joe Hart returning to Manchester City after an unsuccessful loan spell and Adrian expected to be sold. This interest was reported since Manuel Pellegrini was named as the new manager, however, and the Mirror has since claimed that Reims stopper Edouard Mendy is on the radar, but perhaps now is the perfect opportunity to make the most of Johnstone's availability.

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West Ham United FC transfer news: Five-year deal for Marlon close to completion - reports
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Wednesday, May 30, 2018

West Ham are closing in on Barcelona starlet Marlon Santos and could complete a five-year deal for the defender in the coming days, according to reports in Spain.
The 22-year-old joined the Catalan giants from Fluminense in 2016, but only appeared three times in Barca's first team before joining Nice on a two year-long loan deal. The Brazilian has made 27 appearances for the Ligue 1 club this season and his impressive performances have caught the attentions of West Ham. And, according to Mundo Deportivo, the Hammers are closing in on capturing Santos for around £12m. The defender could complete his move to the Premier League in the coming days and he is set to sign a long-term deal at the London Stadium.

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WEST HAM MUST MOVE FOR TRAOREFeatured Image
Date: 30th May 2018 at 12:50pm
Written by: Laura OLeary
foreverWestHam

West Ham supporters deserve to be brought to their feet next season for positive reasons and the arrival of Adama Traore would achieve that goal. Hammers fans endured a miserable time in the latest season, with the club's co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan hardly bringing in the good times like they were expected to at least try to do. However the pair would instantly be redeemed, at least until their next faux pas, by splashing the cash on signing Middlesbrough's Traore in this window. It is believed that Newcastle United are in pursuit of the electric winger's services ahead of next season, according to a report by the Yorkshire Post, with Boro potentially wanting £15million for his services.
At that price, Sullivan and Gold wouldn't have to dig that deep into their pockets to make fans happy after terrible 2017/18 campaign. Traore dazzled football fans last season with his displays in the 40 games he featured in, with his performances not only being appreciated by Boro fans but by neutrals too. The 22-year-old's exciting style of football, that at times allows him to break out the party tricks, is a joy to watch and he would become a Hammers favourite in no time. Traore's electric ability also provides results, with him scoring five goals, while creating 12 to help Boro reach the Championship play-offs. With the winger in Manuel Pellegrini's squad the good times would surely follow his arrival at the London Stadium so the Hammers must hijack the Magpies' pursuit of the attack-minded player. If successful the show stealing player will end next season as the Hammers very own one-man highlight reel and the bad memories of the 2017/18 would soon wash away.

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Man City to end West Ham's pursuit of Phil Foden
By Josh Challies - May 30, 2018 0
Forever WestHam

West Ham are seeking a number of exciting additions in the summer transfer market but may need to reassess some of their options. The Hammers have been attributed with an interest in Manchester City starlet Phil Foden, with the east London side said to be keen on taking the 18-year-old on-loan next season. Foden caught the eye with England's U17 side last summer, scoring a brace in the World Cup final, and has pushed his way into Pep Guardiola's first-team this season.
While opportunities at a senior level have been limited, the departure of Yaya Toure could present the teenager with the chase to become a more regular name in the first-team. As such, The Telegraph reports that Manchester City will block any approach for Foden this summer and Guardiola does not want to send the starlet on-loan. Foden will be awarded a lucrative new contract at the Etihad Stadium and Guardiola is keen to see him fight for first-team football with the Premier League champions next term.

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West Ham United signing Leander Dendoncker and Ruben Loftus-Cheek would give Manuel Pellegrini loads of creativity to call upon
HITC
John Verrall

West Ham United have been linked with the two midfielders ahead of the summer transfer window. If West Ham United can bring in both Leander Dendoncker and Ruben Loftus-Cheek this summer, then Manuel Pellegrini will have all the tools he needs to provide attacking football at the London Stadium next season. Pellegrini has arrived at West Ham and claimed that he wants to play an attractive style of football. To do so, he is going to need an injection of creativity, and Dendocker and Loftus-Cheek would provide that. Dendoncker has been said to be a West Ham target by the Daily Mail, while The Sun (29th May, page 52) report that Loftus-Cheek is on Pellegrini's radar. Dendoncker is generally used as a defensive shield in midfield, but his technical ability would also be key. Loftus-Cheek, meanwhile, would add power and creativity to the Hammers midfield ranks. If West Ham could have a trio of Loftus-Cheek, Manuel Lanzini and Marko Arnautovic on the pitch at the same time, then West Ham would have a midfield line-up which would be the envy of most Premier League sides. And Pellegrini's options would start to look far better ahead of next season.

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Declan Rice to captain Ireland in the future - Shane Duffy
www.independent.ie
Cian Tracey
May 30 2018 2:30 AM

Shane Duffy has backed Declan Rice to become a future Ireland captain. Amid all the mediocrity during Ireland's disappointing 2-0 defeat by France in Paris, the 19-year-old showed glimpses of his undoubted potential. Rice started the game sitting in front of the back four, before finishing it alongside Duffy at the heart of defence, and the Derry native was suitably impressed. "He is so comfortable in all the positions he plays in," Duffy said. "But you don't want him to be one of those who can play anywhere - you want him to settle down into a position. "I think he is going to go right to the top. He will captain Ireland some day.

Develop

"Declan can be here for many years so we have to be careful with him and let him develop - as his club are doing with him, but it's a joy to see him coming in so early and it's good for everyone. "He is a big voice in there too. He's not shy. He's a good lad with a good head on his shoulders."

Ireland will be desperate to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat when they play the USA on Saturday. It's been a poor run of form from Martin O'Neill's side, who, since being thumped 5-1 by Denmark, have lost back-to-back friendlies against Turkey and France. Results aside, the performances have also been very disappointing. O'Neill may be looking to build a new team, but based on the evidence that we have seen so far, it will be a long and difficult process. The highs of the Euros two years ago are now very much a distant memory as Ireland face another summer of watching the World Cup from afar. A massive improvement will be expected against the US, but Duffy warned that it won't be easy. "They are no mugs and it will be another tough game," the Brighton defender insisted. "Thee defeats in-a-row - we don't want to make that four. We haven't played in Dublin since Denmark and we want to give the fans something to shout about."

Ireland were played off the park by a classy French side on Monday evening, yet O'Neill will have been furious by the manner in which they conceded the two goals. The first came from a corner that Ireland failed to deal with, while the second was off the back of a howler from goalkeeper Colin Doyle. "If you are going to get beaten by France, you want them to carve you open and be too good for you, but we gave them the two goals which was disappointing," Duffy admitted. "We had a good shape about us and we defended well. You look at their forward line and they are all world-class players, but the lads dug deep. "It was a good game to play in. You have to be realistic about who we were playing. They could easily win the World Cup."

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Pellegrini nears first West Ham signing, Marlon to sign five-year deal
HITC
Olly Dawes

West Ham United are reportedly set to sign Barcelona defender Marlon Santos. Reports in recent days have linked Barcelona defender Marlon Santos with a move to West Ham United – and Mundo Deportivo report that a deal is set for completion. The Hammers appointed ex-Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini as their new boss last week, replacing David Moyes in the London Stadium hot-seat, and the Chilean will be looking to strengthen his squad. It now seems that Pellegrini is on the verge of landing his first signing as West Ham boss, and it will be a much-needed boost to his options in the heart of his defence.
Mundo Deportivo report that West Ham are set to agree a deal with Barcelona for defender Marlon Santos after days of speculation, with a five-year contract prepared for the Brazilian. It's claimed that the fee involved will be €15million (£13million), but could rise to €18million (£15.7million) in the future, whilst it hasn't been ruled out that Barcelona could have a buy-back clause in the deal. Marlon, 22, joined Barca on loan from Fluminense in his native Brazil back in 2016, and having mostly featured for Barcelona B whilst making two first-team appearances for the club, he signed permanently last summer. The defender, standing at 6ft tall, was sent out on a two-year loan deal to French side Nice, but after one year with the club, his loan will be ripped up in order to facilitate his West Ham move.
Marlon's season with Nice wasn't consistently impressive, but West Ham will now hope to help the defender fulfil some untapped potential during his time in East London.

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The winners and losers of Manuel Pellegrini's West Ham revolution
Some players are set to thrive under the boss but some might struggle to have a role
Football London
By Sam Inkersole West Ham Correspondent
23:00, 29 MAY 2018

Manuel Pellegrini is set to stamp his authority on West Ham this summer when he is handed a £75m transfer kitty to do some damage on the market with. The new Hammers boss is ready to bring his backroom staff that has served him for more than a decade with him to the capital and we have seen the team that served under David Moyes and Slaven Bilic already depart the club. The 64-year-old has said he wants at least four or five new signings this summer to spend that £75m on which can be boosted by player sales as well that could see it rise to around £100m. After two seasons of struggle on the pitch at the London Stadium, the appointment of Pellegrini on an £8m-a-year deal shows intent and now he needs to be backed in the market, something David Gold has confirmed will happen this summer. But, away from transfers, the current playing staff - either on holiday or who have teamed up with their national sides ahead of the World Cup in Russia this summer - will also have a point to prove next season. With that in mind, who is set to benefit from the arrival of Pellegrini but on the contrary, who could find themselves struggling? Here, Hammers writer Sam Inkersole takes a look.

Winners

Manuel Lanzini

Pellegrini has a superb track record with developing and nurturing creative and attacking midfielders and that is something Lanzini should absolutely thrive on.
The Chilean worked wonders with the likes of David Silva at Man City, Isco at Malaga, Samir Nasri at City and Juan Roman Riquelme at Villarreal. Lanzini is the creative force of West Ham and if he plays well, the team plays well. The Argentine had a strong end to the 2017/18 campaign after struggling with injuries.
Discussions over a new contract for Lanzini to bring him in line with the likes of Michail Antonio, Javier Hernandez and others have yet to get underway but the appointment of his fellow South American could hopefully accelerate those.

Pellegrini's tactics like to play the ball through midfield, allowing someone like Lanzini to get a lot of touches of the ball to be creative and do damamge. His assist numbers should rocket under the Chilean.

Michail Antonio

Providing he can get back fit and stay fit, Antonio should be a player to benefit from the appointment of Pellegrini. Antonio is probably the quickest player in the Hammers ranks alongside Arthur Masuaku and the attacking style of the Chilean also relies on pacy wingers to deliver crosses into the box, Jesus Navas at Man City benefited from Pellegrini. With Manuel Lanzini ideally being the creative fulcrum of the team, he can get the ball in the pocket between midfield and defence and look to the wings for his widemen before continuing a run into the box. Pellegrini often plays with a rigid midfield four but they are pressed high up the pitch, not sitting back deep and narrow like we saw the three-man midfield do under David Moyes. There are rumours that Antonio could well be sold this summer but he might find it advisable to stick around as Pellegrini could well get him abck to his player of the year winning form.

Arthur Masuaku

Same as with Antonio, the quick wide man should flourish under Pellegrini and don't be surprised to him pushed into a left midfield role rather than a left back or left wing-back position. One thing Masuaku will certainly have to work on is his crossing and delivery from wide areas, it's too haphazard. He is one of the most skillful players in the squad, electric with the ball at his feet and has the ability to beat a defender with ease. In a midfield four, Masuaku will be needed to ensure width is always there on the left hand side, we have often seen him hug the touchline under Moyes and will need to do the same with Pellegrini. The prospect of Masuaku improving his delivery with low balls into the box for a waiting poacher is quite tantalising. Speaking of which...

Javier Hernandez

The Mexican striker didn't get much of a look in last season, particularly when Moyes was in charge but he should be handed a new lease of life under Pellegrini.
Much like Lanzini, the appointment of a fellow South American should be ideal for Chicharito, who will no doubt have a chip on his shoulder next season. Pacy wingers who can deliver low into the box with quality should be absolutely ideal for Hernandez, who obviously is at his best in the 18-yard box. Running in behind as well with Lanzini dropping dimes to him in behind the defence is a mouthwatering prospect. Javier Hernandez is world class when he is played to his strengths and Pellegrini's tactics really do suit him down to the ground.

Losers

Andy Carroll

Pellegrini is likely to go with a preference of Chicharito and Marko Arnautovic up front, meaning there is no room in the starting line up for Andy Carroll (if he is fit, that is). Carroll is unlikely to want to stick around for a bench role at the London Stadium next season, especially after his reaction in the dugout when he didn't come on against Manchester City which led to a fallout with former boss David Moyes. Pellegrini's attacking style means the ball is played a lot through midfield and that, quite clearly, doesn't suit Carroll's game as he doesn't run in behind. Carroll is a target man - a very good one on his day - but he just doesn't seem to fit in with the new manager's style of play. Add to that his contract runs out next summer, we could well see Carroll moved on this summer as Pellegrini re-shapes the squad.

Winston Reid

The New Zealand international and second-longest serving player at the club behind Mark Noble now James Collins has gone, is starting to spend far too much time on the treatment table in east London. Despite the departure of Collins, Pellegrini is looking to sign at least one, maybe two,centre backs this summer to partner with either Declan Rice or Angelo Ogbonna - or both. Either way though, Reid could struggle to get back into the West Ham side once he returns from a knee injury which ruled him out for two months at the end of the season. Having not long signed a long-term contract extension at the club as well, West Ham might decide to cash in on the centre back, especially if the manager brings in a replacement.

Jordan Hugill

The January transfer window signing managed just 22 minutes of football under David Moyes and probably won't see a lot more than that under Pellegrini either.
As with Carroll, Hugill is not likely to be the number one option up front and also like Carroll, doesn't really suit the new managers way of playing. He likes a big forward but they need to be a bit more mobile than Carroll and Hugill (Alvaro Negredo when he was at Manchster City is a prime example). Hugill was signed just in case West Ham dropped into the Championship. They didn't and for the striker it's likely to mean curtains in east London with at least another attacker expected to arrive during this summer.

Sam Byram

The right back hasn't managed to nail down a place in the West Ham team after arriving in 2016 thanks to a combination of unlucky injuries and not really standing out when he has played. Byram failed to get past Pablo Zabaleta for a starting berth last season before it ended prematurely anyway with a long-term injury that kept him out for the remainder of the campaign. The right back is one of the favourites to leave east London this summer and won't seemingly figure under Pellegrini, especially if he follows up on long-term transfer target for the club Ryan Fredericks.

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