Daily WHUFC News - 28th January 2015

Hammers to host Open Academy Trials
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are to hold Open Academy Trials for aspiring footballers
aged between U6 and U13
27.01.2015

West Ham United are to hold Open Academy Trials for aspiring footballers
aged between U6 and U13. The Academy of Football has long been considered
one of the finest in the world when it comes to discovering and developing
not only good footballers, but good people. Throughout their 120-year
history, the Hammers have put huge value on producing home-grown players who
have gone on to glory with Club and country. England's 1966 FIFA World
Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore and goalscoring heroes Geoff Hurst and
Martin Peters all came through the West Ham ranks. In more recent decades,
England stars Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and Frank Lampard
have all graduated from the Academy of Football, while current first-team
players Mark Noble and James Tomkins also learnt their trade at Little
Heath. Open Academy Trials will be held in the U6, U7, U8, U10, U12 and U13
age-groups. "West Ham United has always taken great pride in producing its
own players and will continue to do so in the future," said Academy head of
recruitment Dave Hunt. "The Academy of Football and the development of
home-grown potential first-team players of the future remain an integral
part of the Club. "The Club invests millions of pounds every year in the
Academy, which has the highest Category One status, giving young players the
best possible opportunity to develop their talent. "In our experience,
previous Open Academy Trials have unearthed stars of the future and we are
sure we will discover a great deal of talent again this time around."

To apply for your child to take part in the Open Academy Trials, please
email openacademytrials@westhamunited.co.uk for an automated response
including an application form.

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'We will try to do it the hard way'
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce says West Ham United will have to rise to the challenge away
from home again in the FA Cup
27.01.2015

Sam Allardyce says West Ham United will have to rise to the challenge away
from home again in the FA Cup after being drawn at West Bromwich Albion in
the fifth round. The Hammers were pulled out of the hat second for the third
straight round in this year's competition, following ties at Everton and
Bristol City. Having drawn at Goodison Park - before prevailing in a
thrilling replay penalty shootout at the Boleyn Ground - and won narrowly at
Ashton Gate, Big Sam's side will have to show their resilience and ability
on enemy territory yet again over the weekend of 14/15 February. "It is sad
we have been drawn away from home again, but we have won two rounds and will
have to try and do it the hard way," said the manager. West Ham have lost
just three of the 12 away matches they have played this season - at
Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League - and
won 2-1 at The Hawthorns on 2 December.
The Hammers are also unbeaten in four previous FA Cup ties at the home of
the Baggies. West Ham drew 1-1 in the first-ever meeting between the two
clubs in the first round before prevailing 3-0 in a second replay in January
1913, then drew 1-1 in the third round on their way to winning the trophy in
1980. In all, West Ham and West Brom have been drawn together five times in
the FA Cup, with the Londoners winning through on four occasions - the most
recent being a 2-0 third-round win at The Hawthorns on 2 January 1993, when
Clive Allen and Mark Robson got the goals. A former West Brom player and
assistant manager himself, Big Sam would love nothing better than to see
West Ham overcome his old club and continue down the Road to Wembley.
However, he knows a quarter-final place will not come easy against Tony
Pulis's side, who earned a 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw at the Boleyn
Ground on New Year's Day. "It is every player and every manager's dream to
win the FA Cup," the manager explained. "As time goes by you realise how
difficult it is and it comes and goes over many years. There are times when
it gets close and goes away again. "In this competition, you need a bit of
luck. Whether it be the draw going through the rounds, it can be a
refereeing decision, it could be a lucky bounce, or an own goal. Those sort
of things need to go in your favour. "Players are going to need to be at
their best in the FA Cup, if you have an off day it is over. It would be
fantastic for me, to walk out at Wembley and take your team there is what
you do the job for really."

*Ticket details and broadcast selections for the FA Cup fifth-round tie at
West Bromwich Albion are yet to be confirmed. Keep a close eye on whufc.com
and our Official Twitter feed for details.

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Heartbreak for Kouyate & Senegal
WHUFC.com
Senegal were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday
27.01.2015

Cheikhou Kouyate and his Senegal side suffered the heartbreak of an early
elimination from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday.
Needing a point to secure their progress from the group stage, they came up
short against Algeria as goals from Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez and Nabil
Bentaleb, of Tottenham Hotspur, secured a 2-0 win for the North Africans.
With Ghana coming from behind to dramatically defeat South Africa 2-1 in the
group's other concluding fixture, it meant Senegal dropped from top to
third, two points behind both Ghana and Algeria. Senegal started the
tournament promisingly, with Kouyate starting in a 2-1 win over Ghana. The
Hammers No8 was then a used substitute in their 1-1 draw against South
Africa and returned to the starting XI against Algeria, but was unable to
help the Lions of Teranga get the result they craved.

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Diafra Sakho: Senegal coach angry at West Ham playing striker
BBC.co.uk

2015 Africa Cup of Nations: Senegal v Algeria
Date: Tuesday, 27 January.
Time: 18:00 GMT.
Venue: Estadio De Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

West Ham "set a dangerous precedent" by playing striker Diafra Sakho at the
weekend, according to Senegal national coach Alain Giresse.
Sakho, 25, withdrew from Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations squad earlier this
month because of a back injury, but played for the Hammers on Sunday. "When
you cannot fly for six weeks and then suddenly you're playing a football
game, there must be miraculous medicine in England," said Giresse. "I'm
surprised to learn he played."

Sakho had been selected in his country's 23-man squad before withdrawing
ahead of the tournament, which began on 17 January. Senegal wanted to assess
their player, but was told he could not fly because of his injury. However,
Sakho came on in the 57th minute of West Ham's FA Cup fourth-round tie at
League One side Bristol City and scored the only goal. "This sets a
dangerous precedent because you're going to have players claiming they
cannot catch planes to Africa but who can still play football," added
Giresse. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has defended his decision to pick Sakho,
and insisted he was unable to fly. "We had to drive him down in a limo on
Saturday but other than that he said he can get out on the pitch and just
see how he goes," Allardyce told Talksport. Speaking on Sunday, Sakho said
he had been "saddened" and "angered" by criticism of his absence from the
tournament. Senegal have beaten Ghana 2-1 and drew 1-1 with South Africa in
the Africa Cup of Nations and will qualify for the quarter-finals if they
avoid a defeat against Algeria on Tuesday.

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Mystery club makes Enner Valencia approach
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

An unknown club has made an enquiry regarding Enner Valencia and a potential
swap deal. According to the well-placed KUMB source an unnamed club has
approached West Ham with view to landing the Ecuador international, who only
arrived in east London back in July 2014.
West Ham are currently negotiating with the unknown club with view to a
potential player plus cash deal, according to our source - who confirmed
tonight that whilst a deal is far from certain, discussions have already
taken place between the two parties. Valencia's career at the Boleyn has
been hit and miss so far. Whilst he hit the ground running with technically
excellent goals against Hull and Stoke, he has struggled to maintain a place
in Sam Allardyce's first team. The Ecuador international, who cost West Ham
circa £12.5million when signing from Pachuca last summer has thus far scored
just four goals in his 23 appearances for the Hammers.

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Here we go again!
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce admits that he would have preferred a home draw in the fifth
round of the FA Cup - but wasn't too disappointed with the outcome. West
Ham's reward for beating Everton and Bristol City is a trip to the Hawthorns
where fellow Premier League side West Brom await. The Hammers have of course
already won at Albion this season, having secured a 2-1 victory back in
December. "It is sad we have been drawn away from home again, but we have
won two rounds and will have to try and do it the hard way," admitted
Allardyce - who also feels this could be his year to finally lift the
coveted old trophy. "In this competition you need a bit of luck," he mused.
"Whether it be the draw going through the rounds, a refereeing decision, a
lucky bounce or an own goal - those sort of things need to go in your
favour. "But it is every player and every manager's dream to win the FA Cup.
As time goes by you realise how difficult it is. There are times when it
gets close and goes away again. "Players are going to need to be at their
best; if you have an off day, it's over. It would be fantastic for me - to
take your team to Wembley is what you do the job for really."

West Ham face Albion on the weekend of February 14/15. The full draw for the
fifth round of the FA Cup, as made last night, is as follows:

Crystal Palace v Liverpool or Bolton Wanderers
Arsenal v Middlesbrough
Aston Villa v Leicester City
West Bromwich Albion v West Ham United
Bradford City v Sunderland or Fulham
Blackburn Rovers v Stoke City
Derby County v Reading
Preston or Sheffield Utd v Man Utd or Cambridge

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Reid eyes tricky Hawthorns trip
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

Winston Reid believes West Ham will have their work cut out when they face
West Bromwich Albion in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
The Kiwi defender, speaking via his latest column for Fanbookz, admitted
that he would have preferred an easier draw but in no way views the visit to
the Hawthorns as an insurmountable task. "Last night we were drawn against
West Brom away in the next round," he said. "Ideally you'd like a home
fixture but we've got to produce a similar performance to those we've had
away from home this season in order to win. "It's part of the cup, and
they've improved since Tony Pulis came in so it's always going to be tricky
playing against his teams."

Reid - who earned the Man of the Match award for his performance against
Bristol City on Sunday - was nonetheless delighted at securing a place in
the next round, having come through the tricky Ashton Gate tie. "We were put
under pressure and we had to make a few saves, a couple of goal line
clearances and we knew it was going to be tough," he surmised. "We were
restricted to a few chances and we took one of them; it was just that extra
little bit of quality that edged it for us. "Getting man of the match
topped off the performance. But for me it's always about the team – we're
playing well, and my performances are good but you need your team-mates to
help out as it's obviously a team sport."

* There was no mention of Reid's contract situation in this week's column.

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Ladies seeking new Chairman
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham Utd Ladies FC are inviting open applications from any parties
interested in becoming their new club Chairman and taking them to the next
level. The Ladies are managed by West Ham Utd legend Julian Dicks and
currently play in the FA Womens Premier League (WPL), just one promotion
away from the prestigious Womens' Super League (WSL). The Hammers ladies
currently sit fifth place in the WPL, whilst the reserve squad are riding
high in second place in their respective league. The club is fortunate to
have access to Premier League facilities at West Ham United's Chadwell Heath
training base, whilst also boasting a very strong junior set-up. First team
manager, Julian Dicks, believes the club has the potential to challenge for
promotion and reach the WSL "We are not far off, and even a moderate
financial injection could make a real difference," he said. "I think
someone with a strong business background, maybe a West Ham fan, could
really help take this club places." Previous chairman Ray Wood recently
stepped down from the role but is currently assisting the club until a
suitable replacement is found. The club would love to hear from someone
(maybe a West Ham fan) with a strong business background who thinks they
could help the club achieve its ambitions. All interested parties are
invited to contact the club at whulfcchairman@hotmail.com with details of
their previous experience and reasons for wanting to take on the role.

* West Ham Ladies captain Stacey Little was a recent guest on the KUMB West
Ham Podcast. You may listen to that episode - which also featured West Ham
United's attacking coach Teddy Sheringham - here.

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The OS is not West Ham's stadium, says Athletics chief
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

UK Athletics chief executive Niels de Vos says he wants the Olympic Stadium
to be "the beating heart of Athletics" for many years to come. Despite the
Hammers being granted first dibs at the stadium during the football season
from 2016/17 - a requirement of participation in the Premier League - during
the summer months, a whole host of non-football-related events will be
staged there. Some of those events will include Athletics meetings, with the
sport having been granted the right to stage events at the Olympic Stadium
for one month each year for the next 50 years. de Vos, speaking in an
interview with the Standard revealed that he viewed the Olympics Stadium as
the sport's own Wembley Stadium - and expects the legacy of the 2012 summer
Olympic Games to be centred on the new home of West Ham United FC. "For us,
this is not West Ham's stadium, this is Athletics' stadium," he said. "For
that month each year it is just that. We're not the summer tenant. We want
to make it an amazing place for people to do the sport and watch it. "We
want the Olympic Stadium to be the beating heart of athletics. It's not the
only place for the sport, of course, but all roads lead there and it has to
be a very physical illustration of the sport at all levels. "We need that to
be our Wembley, to be our Wimbledon. If you're an up-and-coming athlete now,
you need to think, 'I want to be running on the Olympic track in the Olympic
Stadium'. "That's a responsibility that's going to weigh pretty heavy on us.
We've won the right to host for every month every year for 50 years. We need
to make that a month the nation stops for athletics. "We made a fuss to keep
this as we need a national home of athletics - so we need to make sure we
make the most of the opportunity. "

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Another one bites the dust
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th January 2015
By: Staff Writer

The cull of West Ham's under-achieving youth squad continued today as
midfielder Ben Marlow bade farewell to the club. The 19-year-old midfielder,
who usually plays in a central role tweeted his farewells having been told
he will not be offered a new contract at the end of the season.
Unfortunately my time at West Ham United has come to an end," he wrote. "I
would like to thank them for the ten years I have been there, I've learnt a
lot and have many good memories. "Now it's time to move on and look to the
future, wherever it may be. Hopefully it will be the start of a new era and
better things will come."

Marlow, who is in the third and final year of his scholarship at Chadwell
Heath joins the likes of Kieran Bywater in leaving the club this season.
Others, such as Elliot Lee and Danny Whitehead are also widely tipped to
move on as Academy Director Terry Westley continues his revamp of the
Chadwell Heath set-up. West Ham's Development Squad are currently bottom of
the Under 21 Premier League table with eight points from 12 games, having
won just twice in the league this season.

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WE WOULDN'T SWAP VALENCIA FOR REMY.... WOULD WE? COULD WE?
By Iain Dale 27 Jan 2015 at 20:27
West Ham Till I Die

There are reports tonight that Chelsea have contacted West Ham about a swap
deal involving Enner Valencia and Loic Remy and £5 million coming West Ham's
way. Now that's quite an interesting one.

I certainly don't think we have seen the best of Enner Valencia yet, but we
have seen flashes of what he can do and what we bought him for. However, I
don't think even he would maintain that he has hit the ground running in the
way that Diafra Sakho has. But in many ways, so what? He's more than two
years younger than Remy and he was always going to take time to gel. Lest we
forget, he played a big part in us getting into the top four earlier in the
season.

I've always rated Loic Remy. He has scored goals wherever he has played. We
tried to sign him many years ago but he decided to stay put in France. Since
then he has played for QPR, Newcastle and Chelsea, making 50 appearances and
scoring 22 goals. He's scored several against us. In many ways a front three
of Carroll, Sakho and Remy would be mouthwatering. And what competition
there would be with two up front. It would be the strongest front line we
have had since the days of McAvennie and Cottee.

But it isn't going to happen for one very simple reason.

Under FIFA rules a player can only play for two separate clubs in a season.
Remy has already appeared for twice for QPR and eight times for Chelsea.
Article 5 Paragraph 3 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of
Players would be invoked by FIFA. This rule dictates that a player can be
registered with a maximum of three clubs during one season but can only play
for two of them — with the sole exception of a move between clubs with
overlapping seasons. I am assuming this FIFA rule still applies, although I
can't find any mention of it after 2011.

But even if this rule didn't exist, would you even entertain the notion of
swapping Enner Valencia for Loic Remy?

UPDATE: Cheikou Kouyate will be back at Upton Park very soon after Senegal
were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations today.

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Senegalese want West Ham's Diafra Sakho banned and Hammers kicked out of FA
Cup in injury row
Jan 27, 2015 22:30 By John Cross
Striker's homeland demand FIFA action as medical expert stops him flying -
including to the Africa Cup of Nations - but lets him travel to games by
road
The Mirror

Diafra Sakho faces a lengthy ban after Senegal football chiefs made a formal
complaint to FIFA. West Ham striker Sakho was absent from his homeland's
short-lived Africa Cup of Nations campaign, which ended on Tuesday with a
group-stage exit, after suffering a back injury.
But Senegalese FA chiefs were furious that he was fit enough to play - and
score the winner - in Sunday's FA Cup tie at Bristol City.
They have contacted world football's governing body FIFA demanding action -
and that could see him suspended from playing for West Ham at Liverpool on
Saturday and in further games. Although Senegal are out, FIFA have the power
to stop Sakho appearing for his club for the duration of the tournament in
Equatorial Guinea - which ends on February 8 - but they could impose an even
longer ban and a heavy fine.
Senegal fans are even demanding Sam Allardyce's men are kicked out of the FA
Cup, where they are scheduled to face West Brom in the last 16.

A FIFA spokesman told Mirror Sport on Tuesday night: "We can confirm that we
have been contacted by the Senegal FA concerning this matter. The matter is
now pending with our services. We cannot comment further at this stage."
FIFA will investigate and pass on their findings to the Football
Association, who are aware of the complaint. West Ham stressed on Tuesday
that they had not broken any rules, and they are adamant that Sakho will be
picked for this weekend's trip to Liverpool. While the rest of the team flew
to Bristol, Hammers' top-scorer Sakho was driven there in a luxury Mercedes
saloon car to protect his back. He will make a 450-mile road trip to
Liverpool by the same method. West Ham supplied a medical report - carried
out by an independent specialist - which stated Sakho would be unable to fly
for six weeks. Senegal were therefore unable to select him in their 23-man
squad for the finals. But, three weeks later, he is playing in matches, and
that has enraged his countrymen. West Ham stressed that the independent
specialist cleared him to play at Ashton Gate on Sunday, but insisted he
could not fly to Bristol because it would make the back injury worse.

The Londoners told Mirror Sport they invited Senegal to perform their own
medical inspection but, to the best of their knowledge, they did not do so.
They also say they have been inconvenienced, because Sakho has missed four
games with the injury he originally suffered while on international duty.
Senegal FA general secretary Victor Cisse was contacted by Mirror Sport on
Tuesday, and the organisation is considering its next step. Sakho tweeted
his anger over the row on Monday after an anti-West Ham campaign was
launched on social media in Senegal. Senegal's head coach Alain Giresse said
after Sakho's FA Cup winner on Sunday it "set a dangerous precedent" that
West Ham could claim he couldn't fly to matches but could take part in them.
Giresse added: "When you cannot fly for six weeks and then suddenly you're
playing a football game, there must be miraculous medicine in England."

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Matt Jarvis wanted by Cardiff after falling out of favour at Upton Park
Jan 27, 2015 20:55 By Darren Lewis
Winger signed from Wolves in a £10.75m deal three years ago has made just
six appearances this season and could be bound for the Championship
The Mirror

Cardiff have made an approach to West Ham for winger Matt Jarvis. The
28-year-old wide man was signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a
£10.75million deal three years ago. He has two and a half years remaining on
his contract at Upton Park. He has fallen out of favour with boss Sam
Allardyce, however, and has made just six appearances so far this season. It
is understood that the Irons would be prepared to allow Jarvis to leave the
club if they were to get the right offer. The winger has also been a target
for West Brom boss Tony Pulis, but he has since moved for the cheaper Callum
McManaman at Wigan. West Ham are in the process of offloading a number of
fringe players in an attempt to free up space on their wage bill to land
Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher.

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West Ham hope to catch a break in Stephen Hendrie pursuit as they go back in
for Hamilton defender
Jan 27, 2015 19:04 By Darren Lewis
The Hammers are back in for the defender after Hamilton vice-chairman Ronnie
McDonald accused Big Sam's side of dragging their heels over an offer
The Mirror

West Ham are hoping they have not snookered themselves in their bid to land
highly-regarded Hamilton left-back Stephen Hendrie.
MirrorFootball revealed the Irons' interest in the 20-year-old defender last
week. Talks with the Scottish Premiership side looked to be progressing last
week despite Hendrie being out of contract in the summer. Negotiations then
collapsed, however, after Hamilton vice-chairman Ronnie McDonald accused
West Ham of dragging their heels after an initial offer. The east Londoners
have since re-established contact and West Ham are hoping to have the
defender - a Scotland Under-21 international - in London for a medical later
this week.

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Senegal and West Ham at odds over Diafra Sakho and striker's AFCON snub
Jan 27, 2015 13:57 By Ben Burrows
The 25-year-old withdrew from the squad prior to the tournament with injury
only to go on and score the winner for the Hammers this weekend
The Mirror

West Ham have been slammed by Senegal's national coach for playing striker
Diafra Sakho. The 25-year-old withdrew from his national side's squad for
this month's African Cup of Nations with a back injury. Senegal were keen to
assess the striker for themselves but were apparently told he could not fly
due to the nature of his injury. But then on Sunday Sakho came off the bench
in the Hammers' FA Cup fourth round tie with Bristol City and scored the
winner. Senegal coaxch Alain Giresse has been left furious with the whole
affair and claims West Ham have set "a dangerous precedent" with their
actions. "When you cannot fly for six weeks and then suddenly you're playing
a football game, there must be miraculous medicine in England," he said.
"I'm surprised to learn he played." He added: "This sets a dangerous
precedent because you're going to have players claiming they cannot catch
planes to Africa but who can still play football."
Boss Sam Allardyce has defended his player and his decision to play him at
Ashton Gate on Sunday. "We had to drive him down in a limo on Saturday but
other than that he said he can get out on the pitch and just see how he
goes," he told talkSPORT.

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West Ham flop Ravel Morrison flying to Rome on Wednesday to seal summer
switch to Lazio
Jan 27, 2015 13:52 By Tom Hopkinson
The former Man United bad boy has made little impact at Upton Park and looks
set to join the Serie A giants when he contract expires
The Mirror

Ravel Morrison will fly to Rome tomorrow to agree terms on a summer switch
to Lazio. West Ham have finally given the 21-year-old midfielder permission
to travel to Italy to conclude negotiations on his proposed move and he is
set to sign for the Serie A side within the next 36 hours. Portuguese side
Sporting Lisbon were also keen to sign the striker on a pre-contract this
month, but he prefers the move to Lazio, who are further down the line in
their negotiations with his representatives. Morrison, whose £15,000-a-week
contract at Upton Park expires at the end of June, will join Stefano Piolo's
side as a free agent three turbulent years after joining West Ham from
Manchester United. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce was confident he could tame
the youngster when he signed him in 2012 after Sir Alex Ferguson's patience
finally snapped but, like his close pal, he has failed to get the best out
of the player for any sustained period of time. A parting of the ways became
inevitable when Morrison's loan spell at Cardiff was terminated early by
Bluebirds boss Russell Slade and when the former England youth international
returned to West Hamhis relationship with the club finally hit rock bottom.
He took a dispute over unpaid wages for December to the players' union - the
club are understood to have held back £60,000 over an accumulation of fines
- with the PFA finally negotiating a settlement 11 days ago. Morrison has
been training with West Ham's Under-21s but he will fly to Rome tomorrow
buoyed by the fact that a move to Lazio in July will give him the chance to
resurrect his career.

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Fletcher deal hitting snags
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham are refusing to rush into the Darren Fletcher deal as more and more
behind-the-scenes doubts emerge. Major 'players' inside the club are cooling
on signing the 30 year old who is believed to want a three and a half year
deal on £60k a week. As previously reported on ClaretandHugh, should the
club decide to move in Fletcher will face a seriously stern medical along
with general health checks but tonight things aren't looking great for a
deal. The full impact of such a deal is focusing minds although manager Sam
Allardyce is still hopeful he will get a successful outcome. ClaretandHugh
was told exclusively by a top source: "We are not rushing into this at all
as we have severe doubts about giving this player a 3.5 year contract on big
wages. We want younger, hungrier players on lower wages.

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Chelsea Valencia offer revealed
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Chelsea have made an inquiry for Enner Valencia in a swap deal involving
Loic Remy plus £5 million. Speculation on forums has been circulating all
day that a top Premier League club is keen to do a deal with one of the
Hammers first teamers. And ClaretandHugh has been told over the last few
minutes that Valencia is indeed the player in question and it's Jose
Mourinho who is behind the move. And we understand that Remy is the bait
being offered in a deal which would see Chelsea also part with £5 million
after triggering his £10.5 million release clause from Queens Park Rangers
last year. Hammers insiders insist they won't entertain a player plus cash
deal and speaking to Claretandhugh one said: "We'll be glad when this window
closes." However, it would be wrong to 'never say never' but at this stage
it looks unlikely despite the inquiry valuing the Ecuadorian at around £3
million more than we paid for the player.

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Irons reject offers for stars
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham's squad has been attracting attention from across the Premier
League with several offers having been made for first team members. But the
club has resisted all overtures and this afternoon insisted it's very
unlikely anybody will be sold despite keen interest. Speculation of a deal
involving a player swap plus cash started earlier today and although club
insiders are keeping names of those involved to themselves there was denial
that there had been much activity and interest behind the scenes. However, a
top insider told ClaretandHugh exclusively: "Nothing is likely to happen and
100 per cent not players plus cash. The quicker this window shuts the better
for us." Enner Valencia (pictured above) has been touted as interesting
Chelsea, Diafra Sakho has been regularly linked with Liverpool and Aaron
Cresswell has also been watched. However, our source declared: "There are
lots of offers, but we've turned them all down as we do not want to lose
players at this time."

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DG unworried by 'the Pulis effect'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

David Gold isn't worried about the 'Pulis effect' which has seen West Brom
go unbeaten since the Welshman took over at the Hawthorns.
Commenting on the fifth round FA Cup draw and describing the game as
"winnable" DG told ClaretandHugh: "I'm aware of their record took over and
he's a good manager but we will go there with loads of confidence. "We are
unbeaten in January and our form is good despite struggling at Bristol on
Saturday. The new manager effect is nothing new. It's sometimes a different
story when he's been there a few weeks though! "In my view we are well
capable of finishing the tie up there and if we have to do it under the
Upton Park lights so be it. "Tony and Sam are two dogged and very determined
managers and it will be tight but this could very easily be our year and I
go up there optimistic."

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Fletcher: The finances revealed!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Darren Fletcher will cost the Irons north of £50k a week in personal terms
if a deal is competed to take him to the club. And that means – should he
sign a three year deal – the Irons will be paying a minimum of £7.2 million
plus any signing on fees. However, the deal is likely to cost closer to £10
million if he get closer to the £60k a week which ClaretandHugh understand
he is earning currently. We have also received unconfirmed reports the
Hammers are trying to set up a six month deal initially that would allow
them to make an assessment of the player's fitness. Fletcher though is
believed to want a straightforward two year deal with a year's option or a
three year contract. The Hammers are ready to offer Fletcher a medical ahead
of personal negotiations but as yet he still hasn't responded to the club's
offers and Sam Allardyce has been quoted as saying that he doesn't know one
way or the other which way the deal will ultimately bounce. A source told
ClaretandHugh exclusively: " I understand it the personal terms are in
advance of £50k a week and probably closer to £60k. At the moment the player
is hesitant about what the club may be ready to do ahead of course of any
medical…and it would be a big one."

WHY!!!!

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Adrian flies back to Spain
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham goal keeper Adrian has been given special permission to fly home to
Spain to spend some personal time with his family. Adrian was spotted by
eagle eyed West Ham fans boarding a Stansted Ryan Air flight to Seville on
Monday morning. He told fans at Stansted airport that he is due to return to
London on Thursday to resume training after agreeing some time off with
manager Sam Allardyce.

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West Ham return to rekindle transfer for Hamilton left back Stephen Hendrie
Hamilton left-back Stephen Hendrie is still a target for West Ham
Darren Fletcher could still join West Ham this January transfer window
30-year-old midfielder has also had offers from Valencia and West Brom
By SIMON JONES FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 22:31, 27 January 2015 | UPDATED: 22:31, 27 January 2015

West Ham have revived their deal for Hamilton left back Stephen Hendrie. The
20-year-old is poised to fly down to London and undergo a medical this week
ahead of finalising terms. The move looked to be off last week when
Hamilton vice-chairman Ronnie McDonald criticised West Ham, however, David
Sullivan has smoothed over negotiations. Reading and Bournemouth have also
shown an interest in the Scotland Under 21 international but he had his
heart set on a move to Upton Park. West Ham left-back Dan Potts is
discussing a move to Blackpool while talks are continuing with Manchester
United midfielder Darren Fletcher who is available on a free. Manchester
United will allow the 30-year-old to leave and will contribute to his salary
but there is still some negotiating to be done to reach the desired
contract. It may take until the weekend for it to be resolved. Fletcher is
cured of his ulcerative colitis and is looking to make up for lost time with
his next move. The Scotland international is a popular figure at Old
Trafford but wants to play regular first team football.

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