Daily WHUFC News - 28th June 2016

Randolph devastated but proud after Ireland exit
WHUFC.com

West Ham and Republic of Ireland stopper Darren Randolph was left gutted but proud of his side's achievements after UEFA Euro 2016 hosts France edged past The Boys in Green in the last-16 with a 2-1 win. There was a dream start for Martin O'Neill's side when, after just two minutes, Shane Long was fouled in the penalty area, and Robbie Brady found the back of the net via the post from the spot. But Les Bleus hit back in the second half when Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Greizmann bagged a four-minute brace to put Didier Deschamps' side in front. Randolph played a huge part in keeping the deficit at just a single goal, but the task for Ireland was made even more difficult when Shane Duffy was sent off with 25 minutes remaining.
The Hammers goalkeeper was left dejected at full-time but reflected on the marvellous accomplishment of reaching the knockout stages of the tournament. He said: "We gave everything. Maybe if we had ten minutes more at 1-0, it would have been different, but when they have that much quality in the team, it's hard to stop them all and do it for 90 minutes. "What we've achieved when we've been here will probably sink in more when we've gone away. "You look back and, as the manager said before the game, there are a lot of boys who have stepped up to the plate during this tournament and really put a stamp on the team and really made a name for themselves, which is great considering their age."

With Randolph visibly distraught at the final whistle, the first to console the stopper was Hammers teammate and French star Dimitri Payet, who embraced the West Ham No1 as Ireland's elimination was confirmed. "Payet didn't score but his team did come out on top," continued Randolph. "I just finished speaking to him on the pitch. He's obviously going to be watching [England vs. Iceland] to see who he faces next. "I personally will be rooting for France for the tournament, now."

Conditions for The Boys in Green were difficult in Lyon, with the sweltering heat coupled with the huge backing for the hosts in the shape of support from the stands. But, leading at half time, Randolph revealed the mood was wholly positive in the dressing room despite a likely onslaught coming in the second period. "It was very positive at the break, and we wanted to go out and we knew we'd have to start the second half like we started the first – to frustrate them. We knew they'd have possession of the ball and a few chances but we backed ourselves to ride the wave and hold on. "We went down to ten men and we were trying to keep the game going to see if we could nick an equaliser. We wanted to keep going for as long as possible. "Coming out today, we've been used to seeing a sea of green taking over. We walked out today and we just saw one little pocket of green and the rest was blue. "The noise was ridiculous and any time they got a bit of pressure, it does help them, because they feed off it. But in that heat, it was going to be hard no matter when we played them. "We played more recently than them, but the buzz around the place and the dream of beating the French to get through, that adrenaline drags you on."

Payet's France will now face the winner of Monday night's fixture in Nice – either England or Iceland – in a Paris quarter-final at the Stade de France.

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Cottee - The future looks great
WHUFC.com

Tony Cottee will always be regarded as one of the greatest strikers in the Club's history having scored 146 goals in 336 appearances during his memorable spell with the Hammers.
Cottee believes this is a big summer for West Ham as they prepare for the historic move into the new Stadium and says it is important the Club try to find a 20-goal-a-season forward who can help the Hammers move onto the next level....

A lot of people are talking about the search for a new striker but the answer might already be at the Club with the forwards we have got. We have Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and if we had someone who could score 15 goals plus in the league, who knows where we could be. We could have finished in a Champions League spot. I think the challenge is on for someone who is already at the Club or to get someone in who will cost £25-30million to score the goals. We need a regular goalscorer and if we get one, it will help us improve on where we finished. The objection for the Club over the next five-years is to progress and to help us do that we need a goalscorer. We have got a big move coming up this summer and it is vital that we get off to a good start – having said that we lost the first two home games last season and look at what we did after that. We managed to stay unbeaten at home for the majority of the season. But it will obviously be nice for us to get off to a good start. There are quite a few players who are entering the second season and that is always a bit difficult but in Dimitri Payet we have a top player who can do things that other players can't and Slaven Bilic is the best manager.

The future is looking great.

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Case made for Sounders defence
WHUFC.com

Seattle Sounders blogger Ryan Cowper says a strong defence will help the MLS side challenge West Ham United...

For the Seattle Sounders, their 5 July friendly against West Ham United presents an opportunity to get back to basics.

Sitting in ninth place in the MLS Western Conference and averaging a paltry 1.07 points per game, their season has gone from promising to dismal in relatively short order.

With a single win in their last six matches, the Sounders season has been a rollercoaster. They opened the season with a promising CONCACAF Champions League tie against Mexican powerhouse Club America. While they lost 5-3 on aggregate, it was a bright start.

What followed was a rough and tumble March. Their play style focuses on possession and to a lesser degree fast transition, yet despite domination in many early season matches, they were borderline anaemic in front of goal. Despite having one of the league's very best defences, they kept losing on small, costly errors.

That refrain has been constant throughout the season as injuries and national team call-ups have decimated the Sounders frontline. Youth standouts like Jordan Morris, Aaron Kovar and Oalex Anderson have struggled to carry the team's offensive output while veteran players like Clint Dempsey, Nelson Valdez and Andreas Ivanschitz have fallen short of expectation.

This is a team with a tremendous amount of talent but little to show for it in the goals scored and points columns.

Despite those struggles, the Sounders have a few bright spots they can bring to bear against West Ham United.

This is still a defence in the top-third of MLS and much of that comes down to the play of goalkeeper Stefan Frei and centre-backs Brad Evans and Chad Marshall. The trio has proved to be a wall, keeping the Sounders in almost every match and giving the team a fighting chance.

They haven't allowed more than two goals in a match in more than two months and most second goals conceded come late in matches when chasing a result. That trio is the Sounders backbone right now and they'd likely be lost without them.

In midfield, Erik Friberg and former West Ham trialist Osvaldo Alonso are a dynamic duo. Nicknamed 'Honey Badger' by Sounders fans, Alonso is a workhorse; defensively tenacious and pin-point with his passing, he is the metronome of the Sounders midfield. Capable of incisive through balls, quick one-twos, or lung-busting inside-out runs, the long-haired Friberg is the Sounders' creative brain.

The former Sweden international led Malmo FF to an Allsvenskan title in 2013 before short stints in Serie A and the Danish First Division. When he's not playing, the Sounders can look bereft of ideas.

This is definitely not the same Sounders team that played to a deserved 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur last summer. Their struggles in attack are real and they should be no trouble for a disciplined West Ham United defence to deal with.

On the flipside, the Sounders' own strong defence could stifle the likes of Enner Valencia and Andy Carroll, especially given Dmitri Payet will still likely be on international duty at Euro 2016.

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Payet - We are difficult to stop
WHUFC.com

Dimitri Payet believes France can be a match for any team at the European Championship Finals and feels the support from the home fans can see them go all the way in the tournament. Payet has been one of the star performers and played his part once again in helping the host nation produce an impressive comeback as they came from a goal down to beat the Republic of Ireland 2-1 to secure their place in the quarter finals.
The West Ham forward is now relishing the chance to make a return to the Stade de France for the first time since his stunning late goal in the opening game against Romania which helped them secure all three points. And Payet feels the passionate support from the France fans can spur them on to great things as they prepare for the latter stages of the competition. Payet said: "When we play our way we are difficult to stop.
"Our fans were great - even though we were losing, they were still behind us. It is the worst thing that could have happened to go 1-0 down with a penalty early on. In the first half we got a bit annoyed and started playing their game. "They tried to gain a bit of time and we wasted a lot of energy, but then we really started to play our game. "We saw Croatia go out and there are no easy opponents. We need to do everything we can to get through."

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EXWHUEMPLOYEE TRANSFER ROUND UP
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 26 JUNE 2016 AT 10:22PM

What is going on with Tore?

The usual Turkish agents were hinting of exciting news for us and it didn't take a genius to work out that it would involve Tore. The deal is slowly edging towards the finishing line but it still isn't quite there yet. David Sullivan wants to loan the player first before buying him because they are not 100 percent sure that he will settle and cope with the Premier League. Rather than matching their high transfer fee we have said we will loan him and if he proves he can play we will pay it. There was a suggestion from within the club that DS may try a like for like loan with Valencia but at this point it was not agreeable. The player 100% percent wants to come and Bilic really wants him. I am pretty sure it will happen but we just have to get the terms agreed.

Lacazette situation?

Pretty much as it was last time I reported it. There has been talk that Arsenal are circulating now. Of course there is the Wenger/French link especially now that Vardy has rejected them. The player is unfortunately more likely to want to join them than us but I am not convinced Wenger would be prepared to pay that much money for a player who doesn't make his national team. The club are still hoping Lyon will accept our terms but that hasn't happened yet.

Batshuayi deal?

We have offered for him but we have offered a lot less than Marseille want for him. We know their financial situation, we know they need to sell by the end of June so we feel we hold the power. The club through a consortium involving other businessmen had contemplated buying Marseille because of their financial problems and then "moving" some of their players over to us. The chairman researched it but it proved to be too complicated.

Change in Transfer Policy: David Sullivan has been concerned about the changing status with the EU and this has meant that he is thinking that buying British could be a better policy (or certainly needs further exploration) and has had a few discussions with Bilic about identifying these players. We know of the Bournemouth bids but a few other domestic players have been identified too. There are a couple of lower league British players that we could take a punt on too.

Campbell to join:
Manchester City youngster and close friend of Samuelsen, Tyrese Campbell is set to join the club. We have been impressed with the forward who is former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell's son whilst watching the final part of the academy league last season. He has currently refused to sign a new deal with his club and could be tempted to join his friend at the Hammers should we offer him a good contract.

Roberto Pereyra interest:
There has been interest in the past but I don't think that a bid has or will be submitted for him at the moment. Many have asked about our other ITK "If I owned the club" and his column. Unfortunately he confirmed when I spoke to him on the phone that he is really busy at the moment. In the next few days it should ease a bit and he will get a new piece over to me.

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OLYMPIC INSIDER: NEWS ON THE PALACE BID FOR BATSHUAYI
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 27 JUNE 2016 AT 10:55PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

During the England defeat to Iceland, news of a 38 million Euro bid by Crystal Palace had been not only made for Batshuayi, but accepted as well. This as broke by the well respected L'Equipe and soon it was being made known that the footballers agent had confirmed this and as well as the fee, there was also some add on's and a future percentage of a sale, should The Eagles sell him. If you read my previous column on The West Ham Way, you will know that I am fortunate to know a Palace fan, and he is someone who know's someone, he is lead to believe that the bid is true and at the same time I spoke with a well known and respected journalist, who also is lead to believe that Palace have been granted permission to chat with the Belgian.

It has been well reported everywhere that Marseille are under pressure to raise funds and it is no secret David Sullivan looked at possibly purchasing the French club. We have always been interested in Michy and Exwhuemployee had stated until recently, he was the number one target. The club have always been looking at their option's and until now, we have had no concrete competition for this man, unlike Lacazette, and we have been able to be patient but I, and am sure Exwhuemployee will agree with me, expect the club to make their move and not allow Crystal Palace to have a free run at him. Our owners are well clued up on the finances at Marseille and at the end of the day, they are shrewd businessmen and it is understandable they had hoped and tried to get this man for cheaper than the Crystal Palace bid but like with Sam Byram in January, the club were happy to play the waiting game as they knew where the stood on Batshuayi as they looked at alternatives, the same as majority of clubs do when seeking a player for a specific position.

It is worth noting that West Ham United have tried to respect the fact that players are on international duty (well not all players are now) and for this reason, to be considerate and allow them to concentrate on Euro 2016 (or Copa America) plus the fact that the transfer window does not open until Friday anyway, but in this instance, with the Palace bid and the unique situation OM find themselves in financially, despite being on a family holiday, I expect news of us lodging a bid similar to the Eagles to reach us very soon and it will be reported here as on the The West Ham Way as soon as we hear of it.

It can be frustrating as fans, but we have to have faith in this board and player recruitment team at our club.

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Irons braced for bids on this player
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 27, 2016 in Fans Forum, News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham will not stand in Darren Randolph's way should the Hammers No 2 keeper receive a top Premier League offer. They stress that at this stage there have been no inquries but won't be surprised if they emerge during the summer transfer window. Randolph enjoyed an excellent Euro 2016 before the Republic of Ireland were sent packing by France yesterday (Sun) in Paris but ony after he had made eight brilliant saves.
And he has been widely pictured in an emtional embrace with Dimi Payet who moved to the Irish end to give him a consoling kiss and cuddle at the end. Today speculation has been growing about the stopper's future despite him having two years left on his deal which includes a year's option in the club's favour. ClaretandHugh was told by a top insider: "We've all been so proud of Darren and it would come as no surprise were the inquiries to start although there has been nothing yet. "He's a top level world class international and were a club to meet our valuation it would be hard to stand in his way."

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Tore hitch update
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 27, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

ClaretandHugh understands that talks to conclude a deal which would bring Gokhan Tore to West Ham are continuing but there are big obstacles regarding a loan fee. We revealed last night that despite widespread reports that a permanent deal could be concluded this week, the Hammers are in fact trying to come to a loan arrangement with 24 year old Tore and his club Beskitas. But although the player is desperat to make the move into the Premier League we have now been told by our top insider that the size of the loan fee wanted by the Turkish outfit is "huge." Our insider said: "It is huge but talks will continue." Tore is a big favourite of manager Slaven Bilic and he would love to bring him to the Olympic Stadium. Both manager and the player have regularly declared they would love to be united and we were told the board will continue to work hard to make that happen.

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Irons in chase for Liverpool midfielder
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 27, 2016 in News
C and H

West Ham are claimed to be in a race for Liverpool and Wales midfielder Joe Allen. The Daily Star claims that Swansea are ahead in the chase and that they have had an £8 million bid turned down before claiming the Irons are also involved. West Brom and Celtic too are named as admirers but to be honest it would be a huge surprise if the Irons were anywhere near talks on this one. We look more than covered in the midfield area and with loan talks for Gokhan Tore likely to be more expensive than imagined and at least one striker – possibly two required – an Allen move would be odd. Liverpool are believed to ant £10 million for the player.

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Tore caution – is this the reason?
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 27, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

There's never been any doubting Slaven Bilic's deep rooted desire to sign Gokhan Tore and it's likely that will happen via a season-long loan arrangement. However, it's noticeable – at a time when a striker apparently remains the priority – that maybe we could become a little top heavy with right sided midfielders. No doubt Slav has a master plan on how to keep everybody happy but with both Michail Antonio and new signing Sofiane Feghouli on board, the current signing policy is interesting to put it mildly. Perhaps even more interesting is how Feghouli became the permanent signing – despite his free signing status at the time – than Tore – given Slav's relationship and admiration for the German born Trkish international. The answer may be found in David Sullivan's famous quote that he wants to ensure that Slav is not a "one season wonder" before offering him a new deal.

Frankly we don't think there's any doubt at all about a new deal but despite the occasional massive interview with a chosen newspaper David is extremey cautious when making the big decisions. It may therefore be that with Slav's contract talks on hold probably until around January, DS is making sure that he follows up on last seasons promise before adding one of his personal favourites on a permanent basis. We have no doubt that should the winger arrive on loan he will become a permanent part of the Irons scene – along with Slaven – but caution has always been the watchword at the Sullivan mansion. Things on a more general basis are likely to come clearer over the next couple of weeks after the Davids return to their annual week away in Marbella where they meet with agents ahead of the summer transfer windown opening!

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Cheaper to buy Marseille than Batshuayi
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 27, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Marseille Olympique are up reportedly for sale to solve their financial turmoil with one recent report by RMC Sport in France claiming the financially troubled club could be available as little as 40 million Euros. If true that would be the same valuation as Michy Batshuayi who scored his first goal of the Euros last night for Belgium in his debut.
Any buyer would need to take on the debts of Marseille and be prepared to fully fund it in the future rather than just strip assets by selling the best players. Last week, French newspaper Le Parisien revealed Marseille must find €25m by 5th July or face sanctions including a transfer ban by the French football authorities. Le Marsisien say: "Marseille are beset by financial difficulties. According to our information, even after selling Benjamin Mendy to Monaco for just over €10 million, they still have a deficit of €25 million that will need to be sorted by July 5th, as agreed with the financial policeman of french football."

"Three solutions were raised during the hearing with French regulators : either the owner, Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, injected cash in the coming days to balance the books, which seems very unlikely; or the sale of the club is scheduled before the deadline, which is an even more complicated scenario; Marseille must decide either very quickly whether to sell Michy Batshuayi for a sum of around €40 million with Standard Liege receiving 35% of the transaction amount. If money is not found in the next ten days, Marseille would be open to various sanctions, such as a restriction of its wage bill or a transfer ban"

While from the outside it might seem like a better solution for David Sullivan to buy the club instead of the player, the deal would be complex and full of risk. Earlier this year when West Ham were linked with buying another club but we were told by an insider that David Sullivan and Gold have their hands full running West Ham and have no desire or capacity to buy and run another club.

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Bacca's agent breaks silence
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 27, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

The football agent of Carlos Bacca has told the Italian press that he is waiting on a decision from AC Milan on whether his client will be sold this summer. The Colombian international has been linked with West Ham but a decision was expected after the Copa America finished. Colombia finished in third place yesterday in the Copa America thanks to a Carlos Bacca goal on 31 minutes against USA. The match finished 1-0 at full time. Speaking to Calciomercato, agent Sergio Barila was asked about the future of his client. Barila said the decision of whether Bacca can leave is now in the hands of AC Milan, and he confirmed his client is being tracked by clubs in Europe including the Premier League. Now we must wait for the decision of Milan, in Europe there are several important teams interested in Carlos" West Ham are likley to face competition from PSG, Roma and Juventus.

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Darren Randolph: Keeping Dimitri Payet will be 'massive' for West Ham
ESPN

Darren Randolph believes it is "massive" that West Ham keep hold of Dimitri Payet this summer following his excellent performances for France at the European Championship. Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Randolph saw Payet's qualities from a different perspective when he played against France in a 2-1 round of 16 defeat. Randolph will be cheering on Payet's France in the wake of that loss and hopes he will get to play alongside him again next season for the Hammers. "For me, Dimitri is different class," he said. "You've seen it in the tournament and against us, he's a match-winner and he makes things happen. He's a special player. That's why he's sought after around the world and it's obvious he could cause England problems. He causes everyone problems. "I'll be watching and I'll be cheering him on. I'm certainly supporting France now for the rest of the tournament. "He came up to me at the end of the match to see if I was all right. That was a nice touch. I went to the changing room to find him afterwards and we spoke for about five or 10 minutes. He told me to keep my chin up and I wished him luck for the rest of the tournament. "It's massive for [West Ham] to keep him. I really hope he stays -- but maybe the manager and the owners aren't as happy as some to see him doing so well in France."
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said Payet would "improve any side in Europe" leading to speculation that clubs may target the former Marseille man.

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