Daily WHUFC News - 13th July 2014

New signing 'in next 72 hours'
WHUFC.com
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan has promised the 'recruitment drive will carry on'
12.07.2014

West Ham United may have been one of the busiest Clubs in the transfer market so far, but Joint-Chairman David Sullivan has assured supporters that the influx of new arrivals is far from over - with another big signing planned for the next 72 hours. The Joint-Chairman has been putting in long hours of research and negotiation as he looks to help Sam Allardyce build a squad capable of an assault on the Barclays Premier League's top ten this season. Four high-profile signings - Argentine forward Mauro Zarate, Senegal midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate, highly-rated left-back Aaron Cresswell and promising midfielder Diego Poyet - have already arrived, but Mr Sullivan insists that far from resting on his laurels, the hard work will only intensify. "At the end of each season we always engage in discussion about which areas of the team need strengthening the most, before drawing up a list of targets to look at," the Joint-Chairmen explained. "We have always preferred to get our key signings done early as you saw last summer with Andy Carroll and we have followed suit this year. "The players we have signed so far were all high up on our list of priorities and I know they will all add something different to our squad - exciting attacking play, goalscoring and experience as well as potential. "The recruitment drive will carry on, though, as there are at least three more positions we would like to strengthen. We are in advanced talks to secure another one of our top targets and all being well we should get that deal over the line in the next 72 hours."

The Hammers' impressive work thus far appears to have gone down well with supporters, with Mr Sullivan revealing he has personally received a number of appreciative messages from fans. With more than a month to go until the team kick off with a home match against Tottenham Hotspur, he is hoping the anticipation will only grow as more new signings arrive. "I have been really pleased with the correspondence I've received from fans over our transfer dealings so far. We were very clear at the end of last season that we wanted to provide more entertainment this season and the arrival of Teddy Sheringham as attacking coach and the four new players seems to have gone down really well. "I think come kick-off in our first game against Spurs, we should have at least three more players so I'd like to think we'll go into the new season with a real sense of optimism about we can achieve."

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Macca on Stevenage stalemate
WHUFC.com
Assistant manager Neil McDonald reflects on West Ham United's 2-2 pre-season draw at Stevenage
12.07.2014

Assistant manager Neil McDonald said West Ham United could take both positives and negatives from Saturday's 2-2 pre-season draw at Stevenage. The Hammers fell two goals due to some sloppy defensive moments, only to show spirit and quality to snatch two goals of their own inside the final six minutes to snatch a draw from what was a competitive 90 minutes. Matt Jarvis set up one goal and provided the second for Stewart Downing at the Lamex Stadium, where earlier a mistake from Adrian and loose marking had allowed Tom Pett and a Trialist to put the home side in control. McDonald was able to reflect on the performances of summer signings Aaron Cresswell, Diego Poyet and Cheikhou Kouyate, while also reassuring supporters that absent trio Andy Carroll, Carlton Cole and Mauro Zarate were left out for precautionary reasons only. "We've still got a lot to work at," McDonald told West Ham TV on a humid afternoon in Hertfordshire. "We've only just been tickling with a football and haven't done much tactical stuff, so when you go into a game against a team who is a week ahead of you in pre-season, you've just got to stand up and be counted. "We moved the ball quite well, but not as quick as what we should do, but that will come in time. We only created a couple of chances, but as you play more games, your play becomes a little more refined and sharper, so we're happy with everybody getting through 45 minutes. We scored a couple of goals at the end, which were an added bonus, really. "The atmosphere was brilliant, there was a really good crowd and the players were at it. A couple of times we held on to the ball a little too long and invited the opposition to come on to us, so we have do better as time goes on and I'm sure we will do."

Cresswell and Poyet both started the game, while Kouyate appeared at half-time, and McDonald believes there is plenty more to come from all three.
"The new boys fitted in well. In the first half, Cresswell did well and put a couple of good passes forward and defended his far post really well, so that's excellent. Cheikhou had plenty of the ball in midfield in the second half and moved it on really well, so that was good and young Diego had plenty of the ball as well and stuck his foot in. "The three of them have settled in well and integrated into the squad while we've been away in Evian in France, and we've still got plenty of training sessions to sharpen them and everybody up."

The goals came through two fine runs and crosses from Guy Demel and Jarvis, with the latter and Downing both converting with one touch with accurate headers - factors which again pleased Big Sam's No2. At the other end, Adrian's handling error had earlier allowed Pett to slot into an unguarded net before the Trialist was given too much time and space and lashed a low shot past substitute stopper Jussi Jaaskelainen. "The goals were great. First of all the cross and then being in the right position. We want them to come in off their line and be inside the far post and both of them were inside their far post. When you are on the move and a quality ball comes into the box, you give yourself a chance and it was great for those two to score early on in pre-season. "Of course we can iron out the defensive errors. The first goal we conceded was sloppy and the second one we could have defended a little better as well. Both in attack and in defence, we've got plenty of work still to do, but that's why we're having a good pre-season and we'll move onto the next one."

Finally, McDonald put any long-term fears over the fitness of Carroll, Cole and Zarate to bed. "We've had them in pre-season and they've been training but they just had little knocks or tightness, so we didn't want to take a chance and hopefully they'll be involved at Ipswich on Wednesday. "We went to Ipswich two pre-seasons ago and we got a bit of a thumping and that put everything into perspective. Hopefully, we will put in a good performance this time around ahead of our trip to New Zealand, where we'll also have two really good games."

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Stevenage 2-2 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 13th July 2014
By: Staff Writer

West Ham narrowly avoided an embarrassing pre-season defeat thanks to two late goals from Matt Jarvis and Stewart Downing. Wearing the new light blue away kit for the first time, Sam Allardyce's two teams - a different XI for each half - found themselves 2-0 behind with less than 10 minutes to play after Tom Pett (31 mins) and triallist Connor Calcutt (76) had scored for the League Two side. Even though Matt Jarvis stooped low to head home Guy Demel's 76th minute cross to reduce the deficit, it still looked as if the Hammers were heading to defeat in their opening fixture of pre-season. However Stewart Downing had other ideas and he was on hand to head home a deep Jarvis cross, as goalscorer turned provider deep into added-on time.

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Cresswell, Poyet and Kouyate in - but no Zarate
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 12th July 2014
By: Staff Writer

Three of West Ham United's four summer signings are poised to make their debut this afternoon at Stevenage. Aaron Cresswell, Diego Poyet and Cheikhou Kouyate are all included in the two teams that will feature in this afternoon's pre-season friendly against the League Two side, where the starting XI will be completely replaced at half time. However Argentinian striker Mauro Zarate has not been included in the 27-man squad - as is the case with strike partners Andy Carroll and Carlton Cole.
West Ham will start the game with the following XI: Adrian, O'Brien, Cresswell, Reid, Chambers, Noble, Poyet, Vaz Te, Nolan, Morrison, McCallum.

And the team scheduled to feature after the break is: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Collins, Tomkins, Potts, Kouyate, Whitehead, Downing, Diame, Jarvis, E Lee.

Five young substitutes have also been included; they are Howes, Burke, Cullen, Fanimo and Gordon. We'll bring you updates throughout the afternoon on the KUMB Forum match thread.

Stevenage FC: Beasant, Henry, Worley, Wells, Dembele, Pett, Bond, Walton, Deacon, Marriott, Charles.
Subs: Ashton, Whelpdale, Day, Gordon, Johnson, N'Guessan, Okenabirhie, Triallist.

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Sam Allardyce says scoring more goals is West Ham's main focus
Last Updated: 12/07/14 6:16pm
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says that the main focus for the coming season is to convert their chances into more goals. The Upton Park club, who finished 13th in the Premier League last year, have made four summer signings so far to strengthen the squad - Argentine forward Mauro Zarate, Senegal midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate, left-back Aaron Cresswell and promising midfielder Diego Poyet. Sky sources understand Ecuador striker Enner Valencia is lined up as the next arrival and could arrive in the next 72 hours. "It wasn't about the fact that we didn't create chances last year, it was the fact that we didn't convert enough," Allardyce told Sky Sports News. "That's what it came down to last year, really - had the goal tally been six or eight more, we would actually have finished in the top 10. "The emphasis is going to be on opening the opportunity again and making sure we convert more of those chances."

Former West Ham striker Teddy Sheringham has also re-joined his old club as part of the coaching staff. Allardyce has every confidence in the appointment, and sees the 48-year-old as an integral part of his new goal-scoring strategy. "Teddy is someone I have known for many, many years," Allardyce said. "He's had a long spell out of football since he retired, after a fantastic career that lasted well into his forties. Now he's hungry and ready to give something back.
"We hope that he can bring in a new phase, a couple of different ideas, and specifically work with the front men to score a few more goals."

After a busy summer transfer period, Allardyce and joint-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold are not yet finished in their recruitment drive. Sullivan announced on Saturday that a fifth signing for West Ham was in the offing, but the boss is keeping mum until the deal is done. Allardyce said: "We're very close, but nothing is ever certain in this game with new signings until they have actually signed on the dotted line. "We are very hopeful, there has been a lot of negotiation done by the chairman and hopefully that will pay off in the next 72 hours."

West Ham kick off their 2014/15 campaign at home to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on August 16.

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West Ham come from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Stevenage
Last Updated: 12/07/14 6:56pm
SSN

Stewart Downing scored a last-gasp equaliser as West Ham came from two goals down to draw their opening pre-season friendly 2-2 at Stevenage. The League Two side took the lead just after the half-hour mark when Tom Pett took advantage of a mix-up in the Hammers' defence. Keeper Adrian came sliding out of goal but failed to gather a header back from Aaron Cresswell, leaving Pett to slot home. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce made 11 changes at the break but the hosts went two up when a trialist turned neatly before shooting past Jussi Jaaskelainen into the bottom corner. However, experienced winger Matt Jarvis pulled a goal back with six minutes remaining when heading home unmarked from close range following a Guy Demel cross. And Jarvis turned provider in injury time, crossing from the left byline for Downing to nod in at the far post.

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West Ham close to making Enner Valencia fifth signing of the summer window
Last Updated: 12/07/14 6:46pm
SSN

West Ham joint-chairman David Sullivan has told supporters a fifth signing can be expected in the next 72 hours. Four high-profile signings - Argentine forward Mauro Zarate, Senegal midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate, highly-rated left-back Aaron Cresswell and promising midfielder Diego Poyet – have already been made, and Sky sources understand Ecuador striker Enner Valencia is lined up as the next arrival. West Ham this week made a £12m bid for Valencia, who scored 18 times in 23 games for Mexican side Pachuca last season. Sullivan has been working hard with manager Sam Allardyce to strengthen a squad that finished 13th in the Premier League last season. "At the end of each season we always engage in discussion about which areas of the team need strengthening the most, before drawing up a list of targets to look at," the joint-chairman said. "We have always preferred to get our key signings done early as you saw last summer with Andy Carroll and we have followed suit this year. "The recruitment drive will carry on as there are at least three more positions we would like to strengthen. We are in advanced talks to secure another one of our top targets and all being well we should get that deal over the line in the next 72 hours."

"The players we have signed so far were all high up on our list of priorities and I know they will all add something different to our squad - exciting attacking play, goal-scoring and experience as well as potential. "The recruitment drive will carry on, though, as there are at least three more positions we would like to strengthen. We are in advanced talks to secure another one of our top targets and all being well we should get that deal over the line in the next 72 hours."

Sullivan also revealed he had received plenty of positive messages from supporters over their summer recruitment drive, which also included the return of Teddy Sheringham as part of their coaching staff. "I have been really pleased with the correspondence I've received from fans over our transfer dealings so far," he added. "We were very clear at the end of last season that we wanted to provide more entertainment this season and the arrival of Teddy Sheringham as attacking coach and the four new players seems to have gone down really well. "I think come kick-off in our first game against Spurs, we should have at least three more players so I'd like to think we'll go into the new season with a real sense of optimism about we can achieve."

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THE BEAUTY OF INCREASED COMPETITION FOR PLACES, AS THE OVERHAUL OF THE SQUAD TAKES SHAPE!
By S J Chandos 13 Jul 2014 at 08:00
West Ham Till I Die

West Ham commenced their 2014-15 pre-season programme yesterday, with a last gasp 2-2 draw with League Two Stevenage. While it is undoubtedly true that getting the result was a positive outcome, it was far from the principle objective of this match. This first pre-season friendly was chiefly to build upon early pre-season training and give some valuable match time to the maximum number of players. In short, it was a run out, to start building up match fitness levels and begin integrating the summer arrivals on the pitch. That is why West Ham played two completely different line-ups in each half. You do not deploy that type of selection strategy if victory is the main objective.

Although the match was fairly inconclusive, in terms of assessing our prospects for the new season, hopefully, one thing was underlined, the beauty of increased squad competition! It was notable that the West Ham goals came from Matt Jarvis and Stewart Downing, class wingers who arguably under-performed last season. Both players are surely aware of the signings that have/are being made and the probable increased competition for starting places next season. We already have Zarate, who can play either side of the centre forward in a front three, (potential new signing) Enner Valencia can play wide and there are also rumours of transfer moves for wingers Yevhen Konoplyanka of Dnipro and Christian Atsu of Chelsea. Could it be that this is an early indicator that both Jarvis and Downing are acutely aware that their starting places are going to be under increased pressure and (to their credit) they are responding in the right way. Its early days, but that would be a most welcome development not just in the wide positions, but right across the first team squad.

I was one of those that refrained from being too critical of Jarvis and Downing last season. They did under-perform, when you consider their ability, but there was also the question of the extent to which they were operating in a tactical straightjacket, following instructions to get the maximum number of high balls in to the box for Carroll. Perhaps that was the case last season, maybe not? However, I do hope that the wide men are given greater encouragement to be creative and, crucially, score goals in the coming season. Certainly, both Jarvis and Downing have all the tools necessary to play effectively in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 and weigh-in with their fair share of goals. Playing to their full ability, they are major assets and integral to the club's mission to significantly increase the goal tally this season. And if they cannot do it consistently, then the increased competition will mean that there are other options that can.

It is good news (based on current reports) that Enner Valencia is likely to sign within the next 72 hours. Readers will recall that in the early stage of the World Cup competition I recommended Enner Valencia as a better acquisition than Jefferson Montero. It is good that the club can recognise quality advice when they read it!! But seriously, Valencia is a very good potential signing. One who can play both wide and as a central striker; he could even play as an attacking midfielder, breaking in to the box from slightly deeper positions. It's an exciting signing and further illustrates both the club's ambition and revised playing policy for this coming season.

There is no doubt that this has been a good transfer window so far. We have four excellent new acquisitions in Zarate, Kouyate, Creswell and Poyet. Zarate will give us so many more options up front and allow us to adopt different attacking formations. In particular, he combines pace, mobility, good technique and finishing ability. Kouyate can transform our midfield, forming a very effective defensive midfield pairing with either Mark Noble or Diego Poyet. His physical presence and power (plus good technique for such a tall player) will give both the defence and the forwards the extra assurance to push forward and attack the opposition. The added bonus is that he can also play at centre half, which he may very well be called upon to do in the course of next season. Creswell was one of best talents in the Championship, an exciting left-back who is both solid defensively and dangerous pushing forward. Those familiar with his game, inform us that he is also very useful crossing the ball and at set peices. It is very positive to see an English player of his ability emerge from the lower leagues and earn an opportunity in the Premier League. And it is a similiar story with Poyet, a young player of enormous potential as a defensive midfielder, with excellent vision and range of passing. Although only 19 years of age, he should be considered as a full member of the first team squad. Poyet may not start the campaign in the first team, but he should definitely be challenging for a starting place during the course of the season.

So, assuming Enner Valencia will become our 5th summer signing, what other positions need augmenting? Probably another left-back, a winger, a striker and maybe (the transfer budget/FFP rules allowing) an additional midfielder. We have recently been linked with Robertson of Dundee Utd, Atsu of Chelsea, Slimani of Sporting Lisbon and Rodwell of Man City, amongst others, in those positions. All present indications are that the club will go with Demel, O'Brien and Chambers at right-back and Adrian, Jussi and Speigel as our keepers. And they are probably the right decisions at present, which can be subject to review in the January window. A player that we may have done well to consider is Graziano Pelle, the uber-prolific Feyenoord striker, who has scored an amazing 55 goals in 66 Eredivisie matches since joining the Dutch club in August 2012. However, according to reports, he is now reunited with his former Feyenood boss, Ronald Koeman, at Southampton in a £8m deal. Will Pelle replicate Wilfred Bony's goal scoring success in the Premier League? There is a strong possibility that may be the case, but with Koeman at Southampton, that was always likely to be his next transfer destination.

The West Ham board are to be commended for pursuing an aggressive transfer strategy and bringing exciting players to the club. They are doing what I recommended last season and implementing a major revamp of the squad. They are also, vitally, giving Sam Allardyce the tools to pursue a more attacking and entertaining style of play. By the time the summer transfer window shuts we should have improved the quality of the squad and its capacity to play different formations. In short, there will be no further excuses for staid and one-dimensional tactics. Now it is over to the management team, will they deliver or will old inclinations and pre-dispositions re-assert themselves? Now is certainly the time for the long/hoof ball critics to be confounded, can leopards change their spots? Lets hope so.

This should be a very interesting season and, hopefully, one that sees the club take a significant step forward both in the PL and the domestic cup competitions. And it can be done with a new dual playing policy of emphasising (1) expansive, attractive, attacking play at the Boleyn and (2) solid organisation, allied to a swift/pacy and effective counter-attacking game on our travels.

SJ. Chandos

ps. There are some interesting West Ham related transfer stories in the Sunday football pages. These include that: the Enner Valencia deal has broken down (hopefully not) over the valuation of the player and the club have now turned their attentions to the c.£2m rated Swiss striker, Micheal Frey; we are competing with Aston Villa for the Bosman signing of veteran Inter-Milan playmaker, Esteban Cambiasso; and the Hammers are looking to sign the Villa midfielder, Fabian Delph, in a c.£5m deal!

pps. There is also another story linking us with a move for Stuttgart centre-back, Antonio Rudiger, although it is doubtful that the club would commit a reported c.£8m for a player in a position that they have more than sufficient cover; unless there are plans to sell Winston Reid, who is entering the final year of his current contract.

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ENNAR VALENCIA TO ARRIVE FOR TALKS WITH WEST HAM
By Sean Whetstone 12 Jul 2014 at 08:44
West Ham Till I Die

West Ham are expecting Ecuadorian striker Ennar Valencia to arrive in London today for talks despite missing an early plane to come to London.

Valencia joined Emelec in 2008 from Caribe Junior's youth system, From 2008 to early 2010 he received no opportunities in the first team, but with the arrival of the Argentinian coach Jorge Sampaoli, Valencia started to receive playtime opportunities. Valencia's first professional career goal was on 10th March 2010, scoring the only goal to gain an important away win against Ecuadorian giants LDU Quito.

Valencia initially began his career as a winger, but was converted to play as a striker by Emelec coach Gustavo Quinteros. Reinaldo Rueda started experimenting with Valencia as a striker after the untimely death of Christian Benítez. After numerous rumors involving the interest of Pachuca for Valencia, both Parties came to terms and agreed on a transfer in 2014.

On 18th January 2014, Valencia scored his first goal for Pachuca in a 2–1 victory against Tijuana. The following week he scored two goals to in Pachuca's first away win league match against league champions Club León. He finished the season as the top goal-scorer with 12 goals, scoring various braces for Pachuca. Valencia scored his first hatitrick against UNAM in a 2–4 away win to advance in the Liga MX Apertura 2014 Playoffs. On 15 May, Valencia scored a brace on the first leg of the Liga MX Finals, winning the away match 3–2. In total Valencia netted 18 times in 23 games for Pachuca last season and also scored all three of Ecuador's goals at the World Cup finals in Brazil.

After making three appearances in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, he scored his first international goal in a 2–2 draw against Honduras on 19 November 2013. He continued his good form in 2014, scoring in three of Ecuador's four pre-tournament friendlies. On 5 March, he scored, assisted a goal and won a penalty kick as La Tri came from 3–0 down to defeat Australia 4–3.5 He then scored the team's only goal in a 3–1 loss against Mexico, and gave them an early lead in a 2–2 draw with England in Miami. In June 2014, Valencia was named in Ecuador's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. On 15 June, he made his FIFA World Cup debut in the team's opening match against Switzerland at the Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha in Brasília, opening the scoring with a header in a 2–1 defeat. In Ecuador's second match, Valencia scored both goals to defeat Honduras 2–1 in Curitiba.

Pachuca also looking for a sell-on clause as part of any deal..Pachuca club president Jesus Martinez said: 'There are various offers for Enner Valencia, the strongest and closest to what the player and us are demanding is from a club from England. We are making huge steps to finalise the negotiation.'We want to keep a percentage of the player in case he is sold in the future to another big team in Europe. 'I won't talk about prices, but if he is sold, it will be the highest transfer fee ever in Mexican football, otherwise he won't be sold. It hurts me, I don't want to sell him and neither does the manager or the fans but we can't go against the career the kid aspires to.'

West Ham are thought to have bid £12m for the player

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West Ham United and Aston Villa in fight to land veteran midfielder Esteban Cambiasso
Jul 12, 2014 23:00 By Alan Nixon, Neil Moxley
The 34-year-old's contract with Serie A giants Inter Milan has run out, and both clubs are keen on bringing him to the Premier League
The Mirror

Paul Lambert and Sam Allardyce are locked in a tug-of-war over Argentina star Esteban Cambiasso write Neil Moxley and Alan Nixon in the Sunday People.
The bosses of Aston Villa and West Ham are looking to convince the veteran schemer to join them in the Premier League. Cambiasso, who will be 34 next month, is available on a free transfer after his contract with Inter Milan came to an end. Lambert, who has only ­minimal funds with which to wheel and deal this summer, is attempting to persuade the Argentina international to come ­to England. But he has a fight on his hands as Allardyce is ­prepared to offer big wages to land the defensive midfielder. The Hammers hope to tempt Cambiasso to London on a two-year deal worth £50,000 a week – and the veteran star is considering the offer. West Ham missed out on Gareth Barry despite offering the ex-England international a significantly-improved ­contract on the one he ­eventually received from Everton, where he spent last season on loan. But Cambiasso would make a decent addition for either Lambert or Allardyce. He has a marvellous CV, playing for Real Madrid and then Inter where he appeared over 300 times in a glittering career. The experienced midfielder also has offers to return to Spain, but West Ham think they are in the lead for his signature.

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West Ham United target young Swiss striker Michael Frey to bolster their attacking options
Jul 12, 2014 23:00 By Alan Nixon
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is thought to be keen on the Young Boys striker to provide competition for Andy Carroll
The Mirror

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is trying to sign young Swiss sensation Michael Frey in a £2million deal, writes Alan Nixon in the Sunday People. Frey, just 20 next week, broke into the Young Boys of Berne side this season and is rated the country's most exciting prospect for years. West Ham want to sign the giant striker to give Andy Carroll some competition. Frey has also been watched by Liverpool and Juventus but his advisors think he would be lost in the shadows at both clubs. Moving to West Ham and working his way into the side is seen as a better career path for the Swiss starlet. Hammers turned their attentions to Frey after having an ambitious £7m bid for Ecuador's highly-rated World Cup striker Enner Valencia turned down. His Mexican club Pachuca are demanding a sky-high £12m fee and the West Ham hierarchy are unwilling to spend that much.

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West Ham's Big Sam plots Fab £5million move for Villa youngster Delph
Jul 12, 2014 22:45 By Dave Kidd
Delph would be one of several signings as Allardyce looks to get Hammers fans back onside with more attacking football
The Mirror

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is plotting a bid for Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph. The former England Under-21 player , who is a candidate to force his way into Roy Hodgson's senior squad next season, has a year left on his Villa Park deal and the Hammers believe they can prise him away. The club are carrying out a major overhaul of their squad this summer and Allardyce is keen to sign a first-choice central midfield player with Premier League experience.
Delph, 24, fits the bill and the Hammers are ready to make an offer of around £5m for a player who attracted the attention of England boss Hodgson with some fine performances in a struggling Villa team last season. Villa are keen to tie former Leeds kid Delph to a new deal but no agreement is imminent. West Ham have signed two midfield players in Senegalese star Cheikyou Kayate and former Charlton youngster Diego Poyet but were also keen to sign Gareth Barry, before he agreed a permanent deal with Everton this week. Striker Mauro Zarate and defender Aaron Cresswell have also moved to Upton Park in the close season but West Ham expect to make at least three more signings before the transfer window shuts at the end of next month. Meanwhile, Scott Hogan's dream move from Rochdale to Leeds has been wrecked by a cash dispute. United offered £750,000 but Rochdale are demanding £2m.

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Hammers interested in Antonio Rudiger, claims VfB Stuttgart sporting director
Evening Standard
RICHARD PARRY
Published: 12 July 2014 Updated: 22:38, 12 July 2014

West Ham are rivalling Porto for the signature of VfB Stuttgart defender Antonio Rudiger, according to the Bundesliga club. Sam Allardyce has already signed Diego Poyet from Charlton, Argentine striker Mauro Zarate from Velez Sarsfield, Senegal midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate from RSC Anderlecht and left-back Aaron Cresswell from Ipswich Town, but the Hammers boss admitted that he hopes to further strengthen his squad ahead of the new season. Stuttgart, however, are holding their ground regarding Rudiger, with the 21-year-old's agent confirming that West Ham have been in contact. "We know about the interest of these two clubs [Porto and West Ham]", Rudiger's agent, Uli Ferber, admitted to the Stuttgarter Zeitung. "But we leave things to VfB, to who Toni is under contract."
Stuttgart sporting director, Jochen Schneider, confirmed that West Ham's approach was "immediately rejected" by the club. Rudiger's contract runs until 2017, and Stuttgart are believed to be holding out for a fee in the region of €10million (£7.9million) for the Germany international.

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Enner Valencia set to join West Ham in £12m move after impressive World Cup with Ecuador
Sam Allardyce close to completing £12million move for Pachuca's Valencia
The Ecuadorian looks set for a move to Europe after impressing in Brazil
Valencia could become West Ham's fifth summer signing
By JOE BERNSTEIN
PUBLISHED: 22:01, 12 July 2014 | UPDATED: 22:01, 12 July 2014
Daily Mail

West Ham hope to sign Ecuador World Cup forward Enner Valencia in the next 48 hours and if Saturday's 2-2 draw at Stevenage was any guide, he cannot arrive too soon. The Hammers needed goals from wingers Matt Jarvis and Stewart Downing to salvage a draw after League Two Stevenage went 2-0 up through Tom Pett and triallist Connor Calcutt. West Ham have agreed a £12million fee with Valencia's club, Pachuca. And Hammers boss Sam Allardyce said: 'We're very close, but nothing is ever certain until they have actually signed.' West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan says he wants to make at least three more signings, with Valencia likely to be the first of those. Valencia scored three foals for Ecuador during the World Cup.

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What really happened to Timothee Kolodziejczak's transfer to West Ham?
Get French Football News

Get French Football News reported this month that there was a total agreement in place for West Ham United to sign left-back Timothee Kolodziejczak from OGC Nice. The fee was agreed and the contractual details were also agreed. The player even turned up in London to finalise the deal and for a medical which his representatives had been led to believe was what was going to occur. To both the player and OGC Nice's anger and disappointment, West Ham United had decided prior to his arrival on that day that they were going to pull the plug as another target had become available, and he was of a British origin, something that the club seemingly appreciated to a great extent. Kolodziejczak has yet to rejoin OGC Nice's pre-season training camp and was in talks with Southampton prior to Koeman's arrival. He is understood to remain on the Saints' shortlist, perhaps a comforting thought in all the madness.

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