Daily WHUFC News - 29th June 2015

Sakho thrilled by Payet arrival
WHUFC.com

Diafra Sakho is thrilled to welcome Dimitri Payet to West Ham United with the Senegal striker well aware of the new recruit's ability to lay chances on a plate for his frontmen. Payet created more chances than any other player in Europe's big five leagues last term and made 17 goals for Marseille in the French Ligue 1. That has Sakho licking his lips at the prospect of being on the end of the 28-year-old's decisive contributions and he cannot wait to link up with the Frenchman. I was happy to see the news on Friday because Payet is a very good player," Sakho explained. "At Marseille last season he had the best assists record in the league and he's a great recruit for West Ham. "He's good for me because he could give me ten or 15 assists in the season. All the players are happy to welcome Payet to West Ham United. "I look at my Instagram and Twitter accounts and every West Ham fan is excited for the new season. I pray to God that the new season is a good one for all the people who love West Ham."

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Cork camp 'ticks all the boxes' for Westley
WHUFC.com

West Ham United Academy Manager and Head of Player Development and Coaching Terry Westley is delighted with how his young players have integrated with the senior professionals at the Hammers' training camp in Cork.

Several members of the Development Squad have travelled out to Ireland with the more experienced players, which include the likes of Joey O'Brien, Diafra Sakho, Matt Jarvis, Morgan Amalfitano, Darren Randolph, James Tomkins and Mauro Zarate.

A chance in Thursday's UEFA Europa League qualifier against FC Lusitans could await them, and Westley says that has acted as a great incentive throughout the week-long camp.

He explained: "When we first met with the players when we returned to Chadwell Heath on Monday, we said that we had ten days leading into a European fixture. To come away and have this group of players together for this period of time has been a success.

"Ultimately, Thursday night will decide how successful that has been, but to get the senior players and younger players integrated together, to do blocks of work, and to focus for the European game, the camp ticks all the boxes we set out to achieve.

"As a young player you're always after an opportunity. It doesn't matter what age. If you're 16 you want an opportunity in Under-18s football, if you're a scholar you want to play in the 21s and if you're an Under-21 you want that chance to play first team football, or at least to train with the first team.

"This trip has really highlighted again the benefits of Reece Burke, Reece Oxford, Josh Pask and Manny Onariase marking Diafra Sakho. When you are being tested day in, day out your progress will be very sharp and that has really been evident on this trip all over the pitch.

"Whether you're Djair Parfitt-Williams playing against Joey O'Brien, a midfield player playing against senior players, Jordan Brown playing against Tomkins, that combination works and the progress, even in this short period of time, is significant.

"That's something I've spoken to the new manager about and it's something that we're very keen on moving forward."

Westley has taken training throughout the first week of pre-season, with new boss Slaven Bilic arriving on Friday to meet his new players.

He continued: "Slaven has been monitoring training, he's got to meet the young players and the senior players, he's had meetings with them and it gives him the chance before the whole senior group turn up next week to know the players across the board.

"I have to say, first and foremost, the senior players have shown the young boys the utmost respect, and vice versa, and I haven't seen a poor training session here where they haven't committed to the work.

"They've been trying to press the ball as soon as they lose it, trying to move it quickly and counter-attack with pace. The professionalism of the group, of the staff around the group and the organisation – I've got the utmost respect for the senior players for the way they've gone about this week. I think that stands us in good stead for Thursday."

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Boleyn Insider
WHUFC.com

Our man on the inside lifts the lid on the latest transfer speculation...

Following Friday's capture of Dimitri Payet, speculation has continued to abound in the press as to who the Hammers will turn to next in the transfer market.

Sunday's papers carried strong rumours of a move for Juventus' highly-rated defender Angelo Ogbonna and I can reveal that he is a player that the Club greatly admires. However, my understanding is that any deal remains a distance off.

Another named raised today is that of Real Madrid full back Alvaro Arbeloa. The talk was that the Spain World Cup winner might be available on a free, but I believe that a new loan for Carl Jenkinson remains the number one target for the Hammers in this position.

My sources tell me that the Club hope to conclude another one or two signings within the next ten days, but with the start of the Barclays Premier League season six weeks away they will wait until they land the right targets.

That is unlikely to include Charlie Austin, as Queens Park Rangers' valuation of the player remains too high.

There have also been rumours about that Stewart Downing could leave for one of the three clubs in the north east. While I believe that it is true there has been interest in the Hammers' England winger, the Club's attitude is that he is not for sale.

Meanwhile, I can exclusively reveal that a new addition to Slaven Bilic's backroom staff will be made in the next 24 hours as the new boss moulds his team for the year ahead.

Finally, I'm told that the Club have already sold over 28,000 tickets for Thursday's UEFA Europa League opener against FC Lusitans. The tie seems to have caught the imagination of the Hammers fans and it looks set to be a special night.

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Is the Tunisian Rock on his way to the Boleyn Ground?
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 27th June 2015
By: Charlie Clark

Is Aymen Abdennour the best defender in Europe? This was the question evoked by French magazine SoFoot, after Monaco narrowly lost out to Juventus in last season's Champions League quarter finals.

Juventus of course, made it to the finals, before eventually being outgunned by a Barcelona team who are arguably the best in the world.

At 6'2" and over 13 stone, it's small wonder that he has been dubbed 'le roc tunisian' - the Tunisian Rock. The Toulouse public knew little of the player plucked from l'etoile de Sahel in Tunisia in 2011 for a mere €400,000 (£280,000), but after his very first match they were already raving about how his performance had been among the few positives from their pre-season friendly against a technically competent Benfica.

After his first full season in France, he had firmly established his reputation as a hard-working, explosive and uncompromising central defender.

He went on to play 77 matches in Ligue 1, for Toulouse, before moving on to what was Ranieri's Monaco, the newly rich team from the principality, in the January 2014 transfer window for €15million (£10.5million).

His start to his time in Monaco, was less glorious, as is often the case when a player has already become a known quantity, and comes in for a large fee. Think Andy Carroll and his beginnings, coming onto the scene for his home town club, compared with being thrust under the spotlight since, after all that money has exchanged hands for him! Getting injured shortly after his arrival didn't help, and he frustratingly for everyone involved, he finished up making it onto the field for only 6 matches that season.

This past season (2014-2015), with the new management in charge, after Monaco lost their opening two matches, Abdennour was one of the players sacrificed. With a hectic schedule, between league, cup and Champions League matches, he was nevertheless counted upon, and over the course of the season he went on to make 18 league appearances for his new team, and 30 in all competitions.

He achieved all this despite being out injured for six weeks with a thigh injury and having such stiff competition for the central defensive role, with Carvalho and Raggi. It should be noted that Monaco went through the season with the best defensive record in Ligue 1.

The Tunisian colossus really caught the eye throughout the team's Champions League campaign, during which they famously beat Arsenal 3-1, at the Emirates, despite having a far different return leg back in France.

He also played two very impressive games against Juventus, in which only one goal was scored over 180 minutes of football. He then went on to score the winning header against Zenith Saint Petersburg, which pushed them over the line and allowed them to finish top of their group.

When interviewed after the match against his old club Toulouse, in May of this year, the interviewer alluded to the fact that people saw no one but him, that he was everywhere at the moment. Abdennour smiled and stated that he is always available when approached, that that was part of his job.

The interviewer, seemingly unwilling to let him get away with such a modest response, followed up, insisting that his exposure was perhaps also down to his performance on the pitch. Again, Abdennour deflected the attention and stated that his good form was simply thanks to hard work, discipline and having the chance to play alongside players such as Carvalho, Raggi and Toulalan.

Interestingly enough, during the same interview, the interviewer mentioned that Abdennour had never hidden his desire to play in England. His response: "The truth. Every weekend it's intense. We play football for these moments." With his muscular stature, he would certainly have no problem with the physical side of the British game and a number of teams have been hovering if the press is to believed.

According to the French press, Barcelona, Juventus, AC Milan and Southampton have all been credited with interest; the Italian press cite Roma, Inter Milan and Napoli, and in the UK, teams such as Liverpool, and Newcastle have been mentioned along with West Ham of course.

According to ESPN's David Amoyal, West Ham are said to be leading the race for the player's signature and are willing to pay up to €18m Euros (£12.5million).

Toulouse's manager Dominque Arribagé, who was behind his initial recruitment from North Africa, suggested that he presently has few equals in European football today. With the capture of Dimitri Payet still fresh and the desire to make that step up and get the big boys looking over their shoulder, this is the sort of player that could help us do just that!

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Sevilla coach Unai Emery claims he turned down West Ham
Last Updated: 28/06/15 1:33pm
SSN

Sevilla coach Unai Emery claims he rejected offers from West Ham and Napoli to extend his contract with the Europa League winners.
The former Valencia boss joined the Andalusian club in January 2013 and has since guided them to back-to-back Europa League titles and fifth place finishes in La Liga. The 43-year-old said the prospect of leading his side in this season's Champions League made it impossible for him to leave the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán despite receiving a "very sizeable economic" offer to join the Hammers. "Which coach or player has the possibility to play in the finals? Few. I start training on July 6 and I already have the European Super Cup against Barcelona," he said in an interview published in Spanish daily newspaper El Pais. "And then we will play in the Champions (League). Sevilla gives me this possibility. Moreover, we have managed to create a culture of work at all levels. "Napoli offered me a project with economic strength but without the Champions (League). And I had a nice option from West Ham, a very sizeable economic."
Emery signed a 12-month contract extension at Sevilla earlier this month after leading them to the Europa League title for a second straight year. As winners of that competition, Sevilla will automatically play in the Champions League in the upcoming season.

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Hammers make mind upon Downing
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 28, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

West Ham will not be selling Stewart Downing! Despite interest from Sunderland, Leicester and Middlesbrough the club have made it clear that the 30 year old will be remaining at Upton Park. New reports emerged this morning (Sun) that Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson is keen to take the England international to the King Power Stadium. and has indeed made a first inquiry at around £7 million. But the Irons are not interested in entertaining any offers as they bid to put a powerful squad together for next season. We were told by a highly placed and trusted source that the the club has already turned down offers for the 30 year old. He said: "He's not for sale, but there have been a number of bids for him."

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Southampton to HIJACK West Ham midfield move as Schneiderlin rejects Arsenal for Man Utd
By JOE SHORT
PUBLISHED: 13:32, Sun, Jun 28, 2015 | UPDATED: 13:45, Sun, Jun 28, 2015
Express.co.uk

Schneiderlin, 25, is expected to sign for United next week after reportedly singing a four-year deal at the club. He is understood to have rejected the advances of Arsenal to play for Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford, leaving Southampton with a midfield gap to fill. And Saints boss Ronald Koeman seems to be wasting little time getting in a replacement after it emerged the club are chasing PSG midfielder Yohan Cabaye. Cabaye, 29, only joined PSG from Newcastle in January last year for £19million. The Frenchman is said to be available for transfer if a club meets PSG's valuation, with West Ham preparing a bid for the player. However, the cash boost Southampton will earn from the sale of Schneiderlin - not to mention Nathaniel Clyne's expected £12.5m move to Liverpool - means Koeman is in pole position to land Cabaye.

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'I can fight for a first team place' Forgotten West Ham youngster vows to make impression
London 24
13:03 28 June 2015 Brad Pinard

West Ham youngster Elliot Lee has vowed to make an impact this season after coming off the bench on the final day of last season. The striker, who was on loan at Luton for a spell last season, has come through the ranks in east London and has been a goal machine at youth level. Having only had one week away from the club this summer, Lee is now ready to fight the likes of Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Andy Carroll for a place in the squad. "My main aim now is to push on this season and build from that," Lee told the club's official site. "I only had a week's holiday and the rest of the time I've been training trying to get myself fit as I can be to impress the new Gaffer. "It was a really positive thing that I got on at the end of last season so hopefully now I can fight for a place in this team." Lee could well start for the Hammers in their first Europa League clash in just four days against Andorran side Lusitanos. The 20-year-old is excited to be involved and wants to impress new boss Slaven Bilic and the Hammers fans. "Having the Europa League is a massive incentive for us young players because we know that if we're doing well in training that's the opportunity for us to impress in the Europa League games," he added. "We're all buzzing that we've got it this year and hopefully there'll be more and more chances for all of us. "We saw on Twitter that we've sold 20,000 tickets already and we got really excited by it. That's brilliant, so we're all looking forward to it. It will be a special night and we want to give the fans a good performance because it's been a while since we've been in Europe. "We're all gelling really well and we're really excited for Thursday."

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West Ham and Tottenham can't compete with 'an insane offer' for forgotten Chelsea man
London 24
06:20 28 June 2015 Brad Pinard

Fiorentina have confirmed they have made an 'insane' offer for Chelsea winger Mo Salah. The Egyptian is likely to leave Chelsea this summer and a Premier League stay with either West Ham or Spurs had been linked. However, with Fiorentina going all out to sign the man who shined on loan with them last season, it looks as though Italy will be the destination for the Blues. Club director Vincenzo Guerini confirmed the offer and expects a decision soon. "I tell the fans that the club made an insane offer to Salah," Vincenzo Guerini said. "If any player, not just Salah, turned down a proposal like that, then it's best he doesn't stay at Fiorentina. However, I think Salah will accept. "He made a huge impact with us, so it's normal that he should receive calls from elsewhere. "He wants to earn more, but Fiorentina made a truly important proposal." Chelsea play Fiorentina in a pre-season friendly at Stamford Bridge a week before the Premier League season kicks off.

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Man dies in horrific Olympic Stadium fall
12:13 28 June 2015 Brad Pinard
London 24

A man has died at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford after falling to his death. The 44-year-old is yet to be named but the incident is being treated as 'unexplained' by Scotland Yard. Their statement read: "Police were called at 07.30 am this morning to reports of a person having fallen from the Olympic Stadium. "Officers at the scene found a 44-year-old man unresponsive. "Officers believe they know the identity of the man but await formal identification. Enquiries are underway to trace next of kin. At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained." Work on the stadium, which West Ham move in to next summer, has been halted for now and building firm Balfour Beatty had this to say: "We can confirm there has been a fatality at the former Olympic Stadium site this morning. "We are working with the relevant authorities whilst a full investigation is carried out. "All work on site has been stopped. Our thoughts are with the individual's family, friends and colleagues."

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Report: Slaven Bilic holds talks with John Hartson over coaching position
HITC
Subhankar Mondal

Former Arsenal, West Ham United, Celtic and West Bromwich Albion striker John Hartson is reportedly wanted by Slaven Bilic. Newly-appointed West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has held talks with John Hartson regarding a first-team coaching role, according to The Mirror. The Sun reported earlier this month that the former West Ham striker could be approached by Bilic to become the strikers' coach for next season. It has now been reported by The Mirror that the Croatian has held talks with his former Hammers teammate Hartson, who also played for the likes of Arsenal, Celtic and West Bromwich Albion in his career.

Good move

This is certainly a good move from Bilic, as the arrival of Hartson is going to help the West Ham squad next season. Teddy Sheringham was the the Hammers' forwards coach last season, and his departure earlier this summer means that the position needs to be filled. Hartson knows the Premier League inside out, and his success during his playing career means that he will command respect from the players rightaway. Having played with the former Wales international at West Ham, Bilic will be able to trust the 40-year-old's judgement as well.

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Report: West Ham close to making Angelo Ogbonna their fourth summer signing
HITC
Olly Dawes

Juventus defender Angelo Ogbonna is reportedly close to joining West Ham. According to the Daily Mirror, West Ham United are close to making Juventus defender Angelo Ogbonna their fourth summer signing. Having already landed goalkeeper Darren Randolph, midfielder Pedro Obiang and playmaker Dimitri Payet, it now looks like new manager Slaven Bilic is looking to add a new defender to his ranks. The Mirror believe that, despite late interest from Premier League rivals Everton, West Ham are close to making Ogbonna their latest signing, with an alleged fee of £12m. The 27-year-old centre back is a big, strong defender who also possesses pace, which could give West Ham an athletic centre back pairing alongside Winston Reid. The Italian international has been a bit-part player for Juventus, and with the Serie A champions bringing Daniele Rugani back from his loan at Empoli, Ogbonna is now surplus to requirements - and could be set for a move to West Ham as they continue their ambitious summer.

Aims next season?

With Obiang and Payet already snapped up, West Ham could add another big player in Ogbonna, displaying the ambition at West Ham ahead of their move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016. After a disappointing finish to the 2014/15 season, West Ham will now want to make sure that they achieve at least a top ten finish under new manager Bilic - and possibly even higher, with the top eight a realistic aim. Ogbonna would certainly help strengthen the West Ham defence, whilst Obiang gives them depth in midfield and Payet provides a creative spark in the final third, making the Hammers a team to be reckoned with next season.

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David Gold responds to 'misinformed' Orient fan on Twitter; Oxford in training
HITC
Tim Poole

The West Ham United co-owner replied to a follower on social media. David Gold took to Twitter on Saturday night to respond to a 'misinformed' Leyton Orient fan regarding the suggestion the club has been given a loan by Newham Council. The West Ham co-owner made it clear no money has been loaned to the club by the council, while several fans also reacted mockingly or dismissively to the follower who posed the question to Gold. As he often does on social media, Gold replied for everyone to see and asserted that the Hammers have not been given any money by Newham Council.

Mike Gold @MikeGoldOrient
@davidgold perhaps you could tell me how Newham poorest borough in UK can loan WHU 40 million of rate payers money any thoughts Mr Gold
6:59 PM - 27 Jun 2015

David Gold ✔@davidgold
You are misinformed. Newham Council haven't loaned any money to West Ham United football Club. dg https://twitter.com/mikegoldorient/status/614855698007126016 …
10:33 PM - 27 Jun 2015

Meanwhile, 16-year-old West Ham starlet Reece Oxford was pictured in training with the first team as he did some weights practice during the club's training camp in Cork. Oxford came close to making his Hammers debut last term but didn't quite achieve the feat. Fellow youngster (with the same first name) Reece Burke did, however, and there is no reason promising talent Oxford can't get near the West Ham senior side during the upcoming campaign. Perhaps Slaven Bilic will be the man to provide the 16-year-old with his debut, while there may also be a number of other youth players knocking on the door.

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Olympic Stadium conversion halted after death
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 28, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

A 44-year-old worker at the Olympic Stadium construction site was discovered unresponsive by police at 7.30am on Sunday morning after reports of a person having fallen from the stadium. Ambulances attended but the man was pronounced dead shortly before 8am. His death is being treated as "unexplained".

Police has not named the man but said he was a sub-contractor working at the venue. Officers believe they know his identity and are trying to trace his next of kin. The Olympic Stadium is being converted into a multi purpose venue ahead of the first test event in July and the Rugby World Cup later this year.

Balfour Beatty, the construction company managing the site, said: "We can confirm there has been a fatality at the former Olympic Stadium site this morning. We are working with the relevant authorities whilst a full investigation is carried out. All work on site has been stopped."

"Our thoughts are with the individual's family, friends and colleagues."

David Goldstone, the chief executive of the LLDC, said: "We are devastated to hear of the death at the stadium this morning and our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this time."

"As yet, the exact cause of death is unexplained, but we have stopped all work on site and will cooperate fully with the emergency services and all other relevant authorities on their investigations. We will also be conducting our own thorough examination of events."

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Diarra deal is almost impossible
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 28, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

15 year old Son of the West Ham chairman David Sulliva, Jack says a deal for Lassana Diarra is almost impossible now. Jack tweeted on Sunday afternoon "It's almost impossible to sign him, as who ever signs him have to pay £10 mil." when asked for any news on Lassana Diarra. Lassana Diarra was told back in May he must pay a 10 million Euro penalty to Lokomotiv Moscow in a long running contractual dispute with his former club. The player is understood to have lodged an appeal with the lawyer Jean Luis Dupont, made famous for the Bosman case. Diarra claims that Lokomotiv Moscow management wanted to change his contract. He refused and got fired by the club. Lassana Diarra has been training with West Ham since February in hope of securing a permanent contract and to keep up his fitness levels. The 30-year-old Frenchman has previously played for Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid.

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Alex Song back in London
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 28, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

The will he sign won't he sign debate continues with Alex Song as he flies back to London this afternoon. After posting an photo of himself near Chadwell heath last week, hopes were raised that West Ham were about the sign the Barcelona midfielder on a permanent deal. These hopes were dashed when he published a photo of himself back in Barcelona on Friday. This afternoon hopes were raised again again posting a photo on Snapchat of himself driving in London.

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'I don't know what to expect from Slav'
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 28, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

Matt Jarvis admits the players are "trying to get our heads around it bing just ten days to a competitive match from the start of pre-season."

He said: "It's very short. I don't think we would usually even have a friendly game lined up so quickly and even then you would only expect to play 45 minutes. But we will have to go out and play 90 minutes.

"So, yes, it's strange. Normally we have a couple of weeks working on the fitness, running and so on, whereas now we have needed to get straight into working with the ball and get used to playing again and preparing for a competitive game. It's definitely a different kind of pre-season."

Speaking to The Telegraph, he added that the players didn't know until late that Sam Allardyce would be leaving the club.

He said: "No one really knew what was really going on and we got to the end of the season, the last game, and Sam told us that he would not be staying.

"It felt very strange, right at the end of the season like that. But there's a lot that goes on that you can't control. You can only control what you can do and concentrate on that. You try not to let whatever else is going on around you affect you."

However,he views Slaven Bilic's arrival as a "fresh start" although understands new signing are par for the course in these situations.

He said: "Whenever a new manager comes in it's a fresh start for all the players and obviously he will be wanting to bring in his own players as well but it's a matter of showing what you can do in pre-season.

"That's what you have to focus on – proving to him you are good enough to be in his team," Jarvis, who has two years left on his contract

Jarvis admits he does not know what to expect from the Croatian who made 54 appearances for West Ham during his playing career and has craved the chance to manage in the Premier League.

He said: "I don't quite know what to expect. It's that opportunity for me to show what I can do for a new manager but it's also a new boss and you know he will have decisions to make."

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28,000 tickets sold for Europa League opener
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 28, 2015 in Sean's Blogs, Whispers
C AND H

West Ham have already sold over 28,000 tickets for Thursday's UEFA Europa League opener against FC Lusitans and the club hope to sell out all 35,000 by the evening kick off.

The Hammers sold over 12,000 tickets on Friday when the match went on general sale paralysing the ticket office website and phone lines when their experienced huge demand.

An insider told Claret and Hugh "We have never sold that many tickets in a day before for anything"

Despite FC Lusitans being a club no-one has ever heard of before and a game which in unlikely to be the most competitive match we have ever played, Hammers fans seem to have been caught up in the romance of Europe after a long absence together with the excitement of a new manager and three new signings. It may not be the most entertaining game on Thursday but the West Ham loyal support will be outstanding.

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Boleyn Insider strikes again….Zzzz
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 28, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H

The Boleyn Insider has given us the wisdom of his thoughts again clearing up rumours on Angelo Ogbonna, Alvaro Arbeloa, Charlie Austin and Stewart Downing – not that they haven't been cleared up before!

We're assuming there are a few of you who remain interested in the thoughts of an 'ITK' who may exist in reality (unlikely) or in the mind of an employee who would or should know more than the limited knowledge passed on this far!

And the disturbing thought that the club, which should know before anyone else what's going on, is 'apparently' in need of someone to tell them what's happening – simply refuses to go away.

It makes absolutely zero sense. But hey wearen't supposed to ask such questions.

However, the latest vague musings go like this: "Sunday's papers carried strong rumours of a move for Juventus' highly-rated defender Angelo Ogbonna and I can reveal that he is a player that the Club greatly admires. However, my understanding is that any deal remains a distance off."

"Another named raised today is that of Real Madrid full back Alvaro Arbeloa. The talk was that the Spain World Cup winner might be available on a free, but I believe that a new loan for Carl Jenkinson remains the number one target for the Hammers in this position."

Err that's bee regularly recorded by virtually everybody for days.

He/she adds: "My sources tell me that the Club hope to conclude another one or two signings within the next ten days, but with the start of the Barclays Premier League season six weeks away they will wait until they land the right targets."

"That is unlikely to include Charlie Austin, as Queens Park Rangers' valuation of the player remains too high."

"There have also been rumours about that Stewart Downing could leave for one of the three clubs in the north east. While I believe that it is true there has been interest in the Hammers' England winger, the Club's attitude is that he is not for sale."

Thanks Insider, ClaretandHugh confirmed that one several hours ago. Indeed we reckon Insider must be a regular reader of these pages.

And you can now go to bed.

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