Daily WHUFC News - 18th June 2016

Valencia misses out on semi-final spot
WHUFC.com

Enner Valencia's Copa America adventure came to end after his Ecuador side were beaten 2-1 by USA in Seattle on Thursday night. Valencia had played a major role in helping Ecuador reach the quarter final stage of the competition, but they were unable to find a way past the tournament hosts in front of a passionate crowd at CenturyLink Field. It was always an uphill battle for Ecuador after goals from Gyasi Zardes and Clint Dempsey had fired the USA into a two-goal lead. Both sides were reduced to ten men early in the second half after Manchester United's Antonio Valencia and USA's Jermaine Jones were sent off. Ecuador were handed a major lifeline on 74 minutes when Michael Arroyo pulled a goal back after he fired a low shot past Brad Guzan. It could have been a different story for Ecuador if Valencia had found the target two minutes later after the Hammers striker found himself completely unmarked inside the area and directed a header inches over the bar. The USA held on for victory in front of a passionate crowd in Seattle and will now face the winners of Argentina or Venezuela in Houston on Tuesday.

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Mark Noble to open Stadium Store
WHUFC.com

West Ham United's stunning new state-of-the-art Stadium Store on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will be officially opened by captain Mark Noble at 9.30am on Thursday 23 June.
Noble will cut the ribbon in the company of highly-rated young professionals Josh Cullen and Sam Howes at what promises to be an exciting opening day. There are also some fantastic incentives for those who arrive early on the day. The first 16 fans to buy the Umbro 2016/17 Away shirt at the Store will meet skipper Noble, have their photo taken and have their shirt signed by the No16! The first 100 supporters through the doors to buy the new Away shirt will also receive free shirt printing.

The new Stadium Store – two-and-a-half times bigger than its predecessor at the Boleyn Ground – boasts a brand new Magic Mirror which allows you to try on the new Away Kit using virtual technology before you buy it. To commemorate the Club's illustrious history, and in agreement with the family of one of West Ham's greatest managers, a section of the iconic John Lyall Gates from the Boleyn Ground have been relocated to the Stadium Store in his honour. Further features to improve the fan-experience include the installation of 25 till points – more than twice the number at the Boleyn Ground – as well as a dedicated shirt printing area with 12 printing machines to cope with the high demand, particularly on matchdays. The new-look Store also features our brand new personalisation station, allowing you to order all of your favourite West Ham merchandise including mugs, mouse mats, key rings and even mock newspaper clippings with any name you chose – all at the touch of a screen.

A tasty addition to the new Stadium Store is a bespoke coffee shop named West Ham United Coffee Co. where you can take a break, meet and mingle during your visit to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Opening Times

Monday to Friday 9.30am-5pm
Saturday 9am-5pm
Sunday 11am-5pm
Matchday 9am-Kick-off (Re-opens after final whistle)
Map and Directions

The Stadium Store is just a short walk from Westfield Stratford City and supporters are recommended to walk via The Street and Stratford Walk. The walk route is shown on the map below. With construction works continuing around the Stadium over the Summer, access to the Stadium Store will be via the bridge nearest the Store, which is adjacent to the Orbit.

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Bilic - 'We want a top-class striker'
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic says West Ham United will step up their pursuit of a 20-goal-a-season striker after completing the free transfer signings of Havard Nordtveit and Sofiane Feghouli.
Norway star Nordtveit will add steel to the midfield, while Algeria winger Feghouli is a player who can change games from wide areas with his pace and ability to beat his man.
Having secured two seasoned internationals, Bilic and the Hammers' Board will now focus all of their energies on bringing a prolific top-class forward to east London – with the ultimate aim of challenging for a UEFA Champions League place next season. "Hats off to the West Ham board for signing Sofiane Feghouli on a free transfer from Valencia!" the manager wrote in his latest Euro 2016 for MailOnline. "We are proud and glad that he and Havard Nordtveit, the captain of Borussia Moenchengladbach, have signed for us because other big clubs were trying for them. "Everyone knows we want a top-class striker. And if we can get a 20-goals-a-season man, there's no reason why we can't improve on last season and challenge the Premier League's top teams."

Bilic also revealed that he is learning new things from the fellow former players and managers he is working alongside as an expert pundit for ITV in France. The one-time Croatia boss has quickly established himself as a cult figure for his passionate in-depth analysis in the studio, topped by his table-climbing celebration of Dimitri Payet's goal against Albania. "I am enjoying the experience of working on TV during the Euros, especially because my family are with me in Paris and we have some free time together in this great city," Bilic wrote. "I would of course be watching the games anyway. OK, I am not watching them with my mates back in Split, in a local bar or at home with my son – but I am watching them with football people. "During the game we talk about the action and you can always learn from people like Ian, Christian, Lee Dixon, Emmanuel Petit and Glenn Hoddle. When I see the coaches of the teams going through agonies down on the touchline, I can empathise, having been in that situation myself in 2008 and 2012."

As a current manager himself, and one who has featured at the European Championship finals as both a player and a coach, Bilic admits he is being careful not to be overly harsh in his punditry. "When I have to say something about the coaches on TV I'm trying to be sympathetic," he explained. "I want to defend them because I know how hard it is for them and how easy it is for me – and other pundits – to talk at half-time or after the game. "On TV, we talk about the coach after the game and ask: 'Why did he do this and why did he not do that?' "I can tell you that quite often the coach is asking himself exactly the same questions, but he has had to make decisions before the game."

On Friday evening, Bilic's own Croatia face the Czech Republic in their second Group D fixture, looking to build on their opening-game success against Turkey. The Hammers boss, who was capped 44 times and led his country between 2006 and 2012, is hoping current Croatia coach Ante Cacic can keep up the good work in Saint-Etienne. "It is a great job to coach your country but it is also hard because there are thousands and thousands of 'managers' who are watching your every move," "I have also talked to my friends back in Croatia. They have been very positive about our team. The people and the media were not happy during qualification and the manager, Niko Kovac, was sacked before the play-offs.
"Everything looks positive after the Turkey match, but you know it can all change after one game."

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The Insider
WHUFC.com

With the first-team squad set to return for the start of pre-season training at the start of July, speculation over which players will be arriving at West Ham United is growing stronger by the day. The Hammers have been busy in the transfer market once again and beat off interest from a number of top clubs to secure the signing of highly-rated winger Sofiane Feghouli this week. After bringing in Norway international Havard Nordtveit, the Club's Board are determined to make the squad even stronger and are ready to make more new signings over the next two months. Slaven Bilic has made it clear once again that the Club are targeting a striker who can score 20 goals-a-season and every effort is being made to bring in a top-class forward. Several big names including Alexandre Lacazette, Michy Batshuayi, Christian Benteke and Wilfried Bony have all been linked with the Hammers in recent weeks.

The big stories this week have surrounded a move for Lyon's Lacazette, with reports suggesting that the Hammers could even pull out of a move to ensure Dimitri Payet remains the star man at the Club. My sources have told me that meetings have taken place and he remains a major target. But my understanding is that negotiations have hit a stalemate and there is not much chance of the French forward making a move to West Ham as things stand. I have been told that the Club have a number of targets and they will continue to work hard behind the scenes as they look to bring a prolific forward into the club. It is my understanding that there have not been any developments on other forwards this week as a number of the top strikers in Europe are simply not for sale. There have also been reports in the last 24 hours suggesting that West Ham have made a second bid for Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie. My sources have told me this is not the case and the Hammers have not offered £8million for the Scotland international. The Insider will have more news over possible arrivals and departures from the Club in the next 48 hours so stay tuned to whufc.com for all the latest developments.

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From the Boardroom - David Gold
WHUFC.com

This has been another big week for the Club with our second major signing of the summer and I am delighted that we were able to finalise a move for highly rated Algerian international Sofiane Feghouli. We all saw what Riyad Mahrez did for Leicester last season and we hope that Sofiane can have a similar impact. Mahrez was one of the star performers in the Premier League and was rewarded when he won the PFA Player of the Year Award.
Anyone who can show that kind of form deserves to be part of a successful team and he played such a key role in helping Leicester win the title.
Both players are big names back in Algeria and I am sure Sofiane will be looking forward to facing his international team-mate next season. I want to pay tribute to our fantastic recruiting team who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure this deal got completed. David Sullivan, Slaven Bilic and Tony Henry make sure no stone is unturned as we look to bring the best players to West Ham United and have ensured we have brought another quality international into the squad. We have certainly got a good team of people on the case. The importance of making sure we make the right decisions when it comes to new players is such a key factor and we have a track record of bringing in the right players.
You only have to look at the likes of Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini, Michail Antonio, Angelo Ogbonna to see the research we do when signing a player and making sure they are the right fit for West Ham United. We have already signed Norway international Havard Nordtveit and the arrival of Feghouli shows the ambition we have got and this is a steady progress. We want to bring in players who will add to our squad and only make us stronger for next season.

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Darren tipped to stop Red Devils
WHUFC.com

Irish Independent sports news editor and Hammers fan Shane Scanlon says Darren Randolph can excel again when Republic of Ireland take on Belgium at Euro 2016...

Darren Randolph passed his first test at Euro 2016 with a solid display in Ireland's 1-1 draw with Sweden on Monday, but the West Ham United goalkeeper will know a more searching test of his talents awaits against Belgium in Bordeaux.

Without ever coming under too much pressure, Randolph did what he had to do in the Stade de France and, crucially, he did it with the confidence of a man who's keen to repay the faith that Martin O'Neill has put in him.

Going into the tournament, Randolph could not have been certain that he would be thrust into the No1 spot ahead of the experienced Shay Given or Sheffield Wednesday's in-form Keiren Westwood.

The position was up for grabs, but what O'Neill and assistant Roy Keane saw at training – and also in West Ham's closing Premier League games after he replaced the injured Adrian – was a hugely determined 29-year-old eager to hold his hands up for the job.

The Bray, County Wicklow native did everything you would hope to see from an international goalkeeper against Sweden in Paris. He showed a good command of his area, plucked a few crosses out of the sky, fed his kick-outs to green jerseys and made one good save from a misdirected Ciaran Clark clearance.

Remarkably, he didn't have a single Swedish effort to save (Zlatan Ibrahimovic and company had seven shots on goal and none on target!) and there was little he could do about the goal that Ireland did concede, with the unfortunate Clark heading an Ibrahimovic cross into his own net.
Randolph and his back-four can expect to be involved from the start, but despite the long list of attacking wizards which Marc Wilmots has at his disposal the goalkeeper should have nothing to fear
Shane Scanlon on Darren Randolph

The chances of Randolph not having a single Belgian shot to save are slim in the extreme. Europe's top-rated team possess some of the world's most talented footballers and went into the tournament as one of the favourites to go all the way.

Not for the first time, however, the sum of the team's parts didn't meet their individual valuation in the opening match against Italy and a 2-0 defeat was not in the script.

As a result, Belgian backs are suddenly up against a wall and the Red Devils of international football are sure to come out with pitchforks waving.

Randolph and his back-four can expect to be involved from the start, but despite the long list of attacking wizards which Marc Wilmots has at his disposal – Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Divock Origi and Christian Benteke – the goalkeeper should have nothing to fear.

Last August, Randolph was in the West Ham goal as the Irons bridged a 52-year gap at Anfield by inflicting a 3-0 drubbing on Liverpool. Among the home team that day was Benteke who failed to get the get the better of the visiting goalkeeper so that experience will have done Ireland's No 1 no harm at all. You can watch highlights of West Ham's historic 3-0 Premier League win at Anfield here.

Indeed, Randolph can take plenty of heart from another Anfield appearance last season when he was man of the match in West Ham's 0-0 draw in the FA Cup – making a superb triple save that saw him twice deny Benteke – and he was also between the posts for the replay at the Boleyn Ground where both Benteke and Origi failed to beat him, helping the Hammers to a dramatic 2-1 win in extra-time. Facing down the Belgians has not unnerved him.

So it was interesting to hear Roy Keane declare in the run-up to Saturday's match that Ireland have have no reason to be afraid of their much-vaunted opponents.

The FIFA world rankings might have Wilmots' side at No 2 and Ireland 31 places behind them, but we've already seen in France that past performance counts for little. Randolph is one Irishman who has shown that he's no hostage to reputation and expect him to re-inforce that in Bordeaux.

With Sweden losing to Italy on Friday afternoon, Ireland's chances of qualifying out of Group E have been enhanced such that, should they beat Belgium they will be almost certain of reaching the round of 16.

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Randolph - Belgium can be a match for anyone
WHUFC.com

​Darren Randolph is hoping the Republic of Ireland can secure their first victory of the Euro Finals when they face Belgium on Saturday, but knows they are facing one of the toughest teams in the competition. The Hammers keeper enjoyed a memorable day when he was named in the Ireland team for the opening group game and played his part in helping Ireland come away with a 1-1 draw with Sweden. Randolph is now preparing for another tough encounter in Bordeaux on Saturday and knows a great deal about the opposition, having played against a number of players in the Premier League.

The Hammers keeper will certainly be hoping he can keep his impressive record against Liverpool duo Christian Benteke and Divock Origi who failed to find any way past Randolph in the three games they played against him last season in the Premier League and FA Cup. Randolph said: "You can go through the Belgium team and most of their players are either playing in the Premier League or playing for top teams across Europe. "On their day they can be a match for anyone, not only in Europe but worldwide. "It is another tough game for us and we will see what kind of Belgium team turns up on the day."

Randolph has no doubts the Ireland fans will create another outstanding atmosphere against Belgium and says he is relishing the chance to play in front of them. Randolph added: "The Ireland fans will come over and have a party in France. I am looking forward to seeing all the fans who are there, because I used to watch them on television. "I will now experience that for myself and everyone will know we have been there. "There is a chance for us to create our own memories which will be talked about for years to come."

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West Ham manager Slaven Bilic targets striker to boost Champions League push
By Matthew Treadwell
Last Updated: 17/06/16 5:25pm
SSN

Slaven Bilic believes West Ham will be genuine contenders for a Champions League spot if they can sign a top-quality striker over the summer.
The Hammers move into the Olympic Stadium next season with confidence high after a final campaign at the Boleyn Ground that saw them play some entertaining football on their way to finishing seventh in the table. Bilic's side will compete in the Europa League next season but the Croatian feels the goals boost offered by a prolific forward would help them move up to the next level, with joint-chairman David Sullivan confirming to Sky Sports News HQ in May he was confident of landing a "top striker" during the close-season.

"Everyone knows we want a top-class striker. And if we can get a 20-goals-a-season man, there's no reason why we can't improve on last season and challenge the Premier League's top teams," Bilic told the MailOnline.

Midfielder Dimitri Payet was the club's top scorer with 13 goals last season, with strikers Andy Carroll and Enner Valencia netting just 14 times between them. Bilic has already added to his squad, with Valencia winger Sofiane Feghouli set to join on a free transfer on July 1, while Norway international Havard Nordtveit will also move to east London from Borussia Monchengladbach when the transfer window opens. The Hammers boss also revealed they had to ward off interest from a number of clubs who were vying for the duo's signatures. "We are proud and glad that [Feghouli] and Havard Nordtveit, the captain of Borussia Moenchengladbach, have signed for us because other big clubs were trying for them," added Bilic.

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EXWHUEMPLOYEE EXCLUSIVE TRANSFER RUMOUR ROUND UP
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 16 JUNE 2016 AT 10:20PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

This feature launched yesterday and is a feature I hope to continue with daily. It will be a way for me to answer the many questions I get asked during the day. I will not always know the answer 100 percent because my well placed sources are not at my beckon call at every minute of the day but I will do my best to get accurate answers based on what I have been told.

Rumour one: We will not sign Lacazette because we want to keep Payet as the main man. Not sure this really needs answering but this is certainly not the case. The club are very ambitious and want to bring the best players to the club that they possibly can and this includes Lacazette. Payet is great mates with Lacazette so I am sure he would welcome him moving to the club. Even if he did join, Payet (currently starring in the Euros) is a much bigger player than Lacazette (not selected for the Euros) anyway. Payet does not have this attitude and he is much more likely to be a positive factor in persuading Lacazette to join rather than insisting that he cant. Can you really imagine Payet saying "Please don't sign any players who may be as good as me because I want to be the biggest player here"? We increased Payet's salary recently to reflect how key he is. As I keep mentioning Madrid are interested but we will do our very best to hold onto him.

Rumour two: Is the Tore move still on? The club are confident that they will be able to land him. He is Bilic's number one target and always has been. Tore has said in the press that he wants to join us and his current club are accepting that this move is likely to happen.

Rumour three: Matt Ritchie is joining us for £8m. Richie is also a target that we have already enquired about (before the season had finished). Tore is the top target but by making an enquiry for Richie public it could encourage Tore's club to speed up his transfer. Ritchie can play on the left as well though. At this stage I would say Tore is more likely.

Rumour four: Tomkins will leave the club: I brought you the exclusive news that the club were considering selling Tomkins way back on May 22nd in my column. There is still a possibility that this could happen. As I explained in the above column because of the emergence of Oxford an Burke we may accept and offer for him. Crystal Palace and Sunderland are both very keen and a £12m-£15m offer could secure his signature. It has been reported that we have rejected £8m-£9m offers for the player. I do not know if these bids have happened but it would require around £12m to tempt us to sell.

Rumour five: When is the home kit launch? I don't know the exact date but it should be within the next week (around the 22nd June). I know that the club have prepared a big media launch for our first home shirt in the new stadium.

Rumour six: The club has been linked with a £10m move for the Wolves right back Dominic Iorfa and former PSG right back Gregory Van Der Wiel. The club did look at Van Der Wiel as we reported on the 8th of May but he is almost certain to join Roma and Bilic doesn't see right back at his priority at the moment if Van Der Wiel wont join. This is surely emphasied by the fact we have signed Feghouli, Tore should sign plus Sakho and Valencia (if they are still here) can play there too. This suggests that Antonio will be used more as a right back rather than a right winger next season. We do like Iorfa and he wants a move here but for now this is unlikely to happen.

The club have made initial contact with Anthony Modeste- This is a player that we have scouted in the past and he has been on the radar for a while. David Sullivan is currently exploring many forward options and it is fair to say that this player may be on a long list of "2nd choice" forwards that we have enquired about.

*I hope this has clarified a few transfers. I am keen to stress that my column has trusted information in it from all my sources. These daily columns are my feelings based on what I know so they are not guaranteed to be as reliable but nonetheless they should be fairly accurate.

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Robbie Savage column: Slaven Bilic won't be dancing if Dimitri Payet's Euros heroics tempt Barcelona or Real Madrid
20:00, 17 JUN 2016
OPINION BY ROBBIESAVAGE
West Ham's French star is the player of this tournament so far and despite his new contract they will be worried about interest from the continent's elite clubs
The Mirror

Slaven Bilic may have been climbing on the table when Dimitri Payet scored the other night, but he won't be dancing on the furniture if some of Europe's big guns come calling for his French ace after Euro 2016 . No question, no debate, midfielder Payet has been the star of this tournament so far. Like England's Jamie Vardy, who is also 29, his performances over the last 12 months make you wonder where he has been hiding for the past 10 years. After a brilliant debut season at West Ham , where he is already revered probably more than any player since Paolo Di Canio, Payet's star has shone brightest for France in their first two matches. You could not fail to be moved when he dissolved into tears after that fabulous late winner for the host nation against Romania on the opening night of the finals.
And he clinched Wednesday's 2-0 win over Albania in another late show where he was still full of running, full of energy, darting into pockets of space and trying to make things happen right to the end. I love watching players who can paint a picture on the football pitch and come up with a masterpiece. Some of us could only draw sketches with crayons, but West Ham's capture of Payet last summer now looks like their co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan found a rare Picasso painting in the attic. Now, of course, the big worry for Gold, Sullivan and manager Bilic is whether they can hang on to Payet when the whole of Europe has woken up to his talent. I know he signed a five-and-a-half-year deal, worth a reported £125,000-a-week , only four months ago, and I'm sure West Ham will move heaven and earth to make sure he leads them into their new home at the Olympic Stadium next season. But there is no such thing as a bullet-prof contract in football any more. A long contract only offers clubs the protection of a big transfer fee if they cannot hang on to their prize assets.
And if Real Madrid or Barcelona came calling for Payet, it would be a brave man who put his mortgage on him staying with the Hammers. Don't get me wrong: I would love to see Payet sprinkling his magic on the Premier League next season and I hope he stays in England. But the big worry now is that he could be too hot to handle. And, more than ever, the biggest question mark over Payet is this: How on earth did West Ham buy him for only £10.8million?

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Real…Zidane…and why Payet will stay at Irons
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 17, 2016 in Fans Forum, News, Whispers
C and H

ClaretandHugh is delighted to welcome a fabulous new blogger – our pal from Anthony @WestHamSocial – the latest top name to team up with your favourite website. Our new CandH partner and blogger- will be appearing regularly as a writer for us this summer and next season – with a big new feature series of his own ahead of every game. @WestHamSocial in without question the No 1 site for brilliantly and amusingly innovative vines and videos. Ant's great graphic designs will also be appearing regularly on these pages and we encourage you to give him a follow on Twitter RIGHT NOW. Here he puts the Dimi Payet and Real Madrid story into sharp financial perspective and gives the best possiblereasons why it is seriously unlikely to happen

Another day and another lazy re-cycled transfer story in the press about Dimitri Payet's future!

Real Madrid's apparent swoop for our star can only be diminished by Sullivan's 'not for sale' stance so many times before it starts to get mundane.

Are the press actually looking at the cost of all this? ….Probably not, as that doesn't sell stories.

We would be naive in thinking Payet's match winning performances in the Premier League last season and his eye -catching showcases in the Euros thus far wouldn't attract interest.

In a team as star-studded as France, Payet has emerged as the current key player and shining light of the squad – the players are relying on his every move, every touch and every goal to keep the momentum of a nation going.

When you can keep a player of Paul Pogba's stature out of the team and overshadow him in every sense, you know you're fast approaching a 'world class' status in your own right.

This kind of spotlight on a player will always start pesky transfer rumours and the vultures will inevitable start circling.

It is rumoured fellow compatriot Zinedine Zidane is a great admirer of our Dimi and he would like nothing more than to have the classy Frenchman in his team of Galacticos next season.

This could be interesting considering Real Madrid bought Zidane for a then world record £46 million at similar age to Payet, albeit one year younger at 28. This, Real Madrid do have a history of buying an older player for a huge sum. so maybe the age factor we keep mentioning isn't a factor at all. On the other hand…..?

However, as much as us Hammers sing a fully tongue in cheek 'he's better than Zidane', at this stage in his own career, his honours surpass Payet's considerably.

The Ballon d'Or, UEFA midfielder of the year, double league winning Juventus player, Zidane was the ultimate prize when Real bought him in 2001. Is the same club going to pay a silly amount to capture the signature of Dimitri Payet who has only just come to the fore? It does seem unlikely.

Payet accepted a new 125k per week five year contract in January, without a buy out clause as well, so to buy him and offer a suitable contract, it would require an absolutely unbelievable transfer package.

Let's base it on Zidane's own transfer when 15 YEARS AGO the guy was 28 years old and cost £46 million. Times that by 15 years of inflation and current TV money, would see a price tag of £100 million.

What of the wages to lure Dimi away? A £150k as an absolute minimim and more likely £200k to really make it worthwhile means RM would have approaching £30 million.

Any deal overall, would cost Real Madrid or any other interested clubs for that matter, upwards and over £120 million to lure a 29 year old with no sell on value away from his current home. Well, they did say it would have to be ridiculous.

Anthony @westhamsocial
https://twitter.com/WestHamSocial

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Hammers reject £9 million offer for defender
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 16, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
Exclusive

West Ham have rejected bids of £8 million and £9 million from two Premier League clubs for James Tomkins. And although there is no official confirmation from inside the club, the home grown central defender now looks to be a certain departure this summer. There was much speculation last summer that he was unlikely to be Slav's first choice and the manager settled on a first team central defensive partnership of Angelo Ogbonna and Winston Reid as his preferred pairing, with James Collins very much in the picture when fit. ClaretandHugh exclusively revealed several days ago the central defender will be allowed to move on and he has been linked with Palace and Sunderland in the past. We were told by a highly placed Hammers insider: "It's very much the manager's decision because James spent a lot of time on the bench last season and he's unhappy with that. "As a result the manager will allow him to move on as he doesn't want unhappy players in the squad but we have not received a suitable offer at this stage."

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Dicksie signs up for two more years
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 16, 2016 in News, Whispers
C ad H

Thrilled Julian Dicks has been rewarded with a new two year deal as Slaven Bilic's assistant. The Hammers cult hero has been a key member of the boss' staff since hs arrival last summer and he announdicksced the deal on his Instagram account. He revealed that he had agreed to carry on and even posted the front page of the contract on the social media network. He said: "Over the moon to say I've just signed a new two year contract." Dicks was the first person Slaven Bilic approached when he took over as the new Hammers boss last summer and the the two former Irons team and room-mates have been on the case together throughout. The manager has another two years to run on his three year contract and the board will be discussing a new contract with him probably at the turn of the year.

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Irons contact agents of Bundesliga 18 goal striker
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 17, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham are in contact with Anthony Modeste's agents claim media reports in France today. According to French magazine Le 10 Sport, the club have already made contact with the player's agents. The Frenchman made a total of 36 appearances across all competitions for German team FC Koln last season and scored 18 goals in the process, a return which has caught West Ham's scouts attention. Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan are expected to submit a highly lucrative proposal to the striker very soon so the Hammers will have to act quickly to have a chance. Modeste's contract with Koln runs until the summer of 2019 and he is considered a key man at the Bundesliga club. He is seen as an ideal replacement for Diafra Sakho should he leave.

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Valencia suffers knock out
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 17, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham's Enner Valencia and Ecuador were knocked out of the Copa America quarter final last night by USA last night in Seattle. USA triumphed 2-1 despite Valencia featuring for the full ninety minutes but he could not find the net on this occasion. At one point Valencia was bought down in the penalty area but the West Ham forward got straight to his feet and the referee did not give the spot-kick. Reports say Valencia should have scored at least twice from close range headers in the second but it was it was his fellow team mate Arroyo who cut the lead after the 73rd minute. The West Ham forward scored two goals and made two assists for Ecuador in the Copa America tournament in recent weeks. Valencia has been linked with a move to the Spanish La Liga and German Bundesliga in recent days as well as supposed interest from Premier LEague rivals West Brom and Manchester City.

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Wolves issue hands off warning to Hammers
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 17, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Wolves have reportedly issued a 'hands-off' warning to any Premier League clubs considering a move for Dominic Iorfa by insisting the defender is not for sale. Both West Ham and Crystal Palace have been linked with the highly-rated England under-21 international but according to the Wolverhampton Express and Star, Wolves insist they have no intention of selling the player.

Iorfa made 46 appearances last season and is contracted until summer 2019, having signed a new deal last November. Reports have suggested Wolves will demand £7million for a player who is considered one of the best defensive prospects outside the top flight.

It's understood those clubs making tentative enquiries as to his availability have been told bids are not welcome. Southend United would be entitled to 15 per cent of any transfer fee thanks to a sell-on clause, which was inserted in the deal which saw Iorfa move from Roots Hall to Molineux five years ago.

His father, Dominic Iorfa Senior, issued a statement earlier this week denying reports suggesting he had handed in a transfer request.

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Giving up on Lacazette? Rubbish
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 17, 2016 in Sean's Blogs, Whispers
C and H

The Daily Mail is today reporting that West Ham are considering abandoning their pursuit of Alexandre Lacazette. Just one problem with the story – it's not true! Simon Jones writes: "West Ham may consider shelving their expensive pursuit of Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette to ensure Dimitri Payet remains their star man. "Lyon are continuing to demand £40m for striker Lacazette as they wait for Paris St Germain to firm up their interest with a bid" This appears to be a mostly speculative piece written by Mr Jones without any real evidence or sources to rely on to make such an assumption. Anyone who knows David Sullivan will know he doesn't easily give up without a fight. He is like a dog with a bone and will only admit defeat when he is ultimately forced to. And the idea that we would not buy a player because we don't want to make one player more popular than another is – to put if bluntly – utterly ridiculous. West Ham have already put in bids of £31m and £32m and, in direct contradiction to Mr Jones' article, Claret and Hugh were told last night about unconfirmed report that a third bid was being considered for Lacazette and that West Ham were prepared to pay up to £37m for the player. As for the suggested Dimi would get upset if he was no longer the star man at West Ham, RIDICULOUS. Lacazette and Payet are good friends and the striker sent our midfield maestro a second congratulation message on twitter to Payet after Dimi scored the second late goal on Wednesday evening.

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Bidding war for Tomkins
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 17, 2016 in Sean's Blogs, Whispers
C and H

News that West Ham have rebuffed £8m and £9m bids for James Tomkins have come as little surprise. Last month, friend of this site, Darren Lewis revealed in the Mirror that Sunderland and Crystal Palace had made him a transfer target so that appears to tie in with recent bids. The two former West Ham managers Sam Allardyce and Alan Pardew know the 27 year old very well having both managed him in their time in charge of the Hammers. Tomkins was still in the Academy during Pardew's reign between 2003-2006 but well regarded, Allardyce favored Tonks in the centre of defense in his reign between 2011-2015 playing 148 games under Big Sam. Tomkins made 25 appearances lase season but many of these were as right back to deputise for the injured Carl Jenkinson. If I was a betting man I would guess that Sunderland have bid the lower amount of £8m while London rivals Palace have bettered the offer to reach the £9m mark. Tomkins agent is a certain Mark Curtis who also acts for Sam Allardyce, Adrian and Andy Carroll. That possibly gives Sunderland a small advantage although the chance of staying in London with Palace must be a factor too. Meanwhile Simon Jones in the Mail suggests Stoke City and West Brom are interested in Tomkins too.

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Payet is short odds to leave West Ham
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 17, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Bookies Ladbrokes have reduced the odds for Dimitri Payet to leave West Ham by the end of the Summer transfer window to the short odds of 5/4
Chelsea lead the way as favourites at 7/2, with Antonio Conte keen to revamp his side who struggled last season. Last season's Champions League finalists Real Madrid are (8/1) and Atletico Madrid are (12/1) while it's (9/1) that Payet stays in France beyond the Euros, by moving to Ligue 1 giants PSG.
Manchester United are also dark horses in the race for the midfielder's signature (12/1), with Arsenal rounding out the English interest at (16/1)

A Ladbrokes spokesperson said: "Payet has been the star man at Euro 2016 so far and the big boys are lining up to take him from the Hammers. Don't be surprised to see him swap the East End for West London this summer."

Chelsea 7/2
Real Madrid 8/1
PSG 9/1
Manchester Utd 12/1
Atletico Madrid 12/1
Arsenal 16/1
Bayern Munich 20/1
Barcelona 20/1
Juventus 20/1
Olympique de Marseille 33/1

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