Daily WHUFC News - 9th July 2016

Payet reaches Euro 2016 Final
WHUFC.com

Dimitri Payet was left celebrating another famous victory after he played
his part in helping France reach the UEFA Euro 2016 Final after they beat
Germany 2-0. The West Ham forward enjoyed a memorable night in Marseille and
will now be preparing for his first major final against Portugal in Paris on
10 July. Two goals from the tournament's top goalscorer Antoine Griezmann
helped France record their first victory over Germany in a major tournament
since 1958. The France forward scored the first from the penalty spot right
on the stroke of half-time after Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger was
penalised for handball in an aerial challenge with Patrice Evra. Griezmann
scored the crucial second with 18 minutes left on the clock when he turned
the ball home from close-range after Manuel Neuer could only half-clear Paul
Pogba's cross. Germany refused to lie down and Joshua Kimmich hit the
woodwork late on, before seeing his header superbly saved by Hugo Lloris.
France held on to beat the World Champions and became the first host nation
to reach the Euro Final on two separate occasions. Payet has been one of the
star performers for France during the tournament and will now be hoping his
side can beat Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portuguese team-mates on Sunday
night at the Stade de France to lift the trophy.

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Manu made up by Rio call
WHUFC.com

Manuel Lanzini has told West Ham TV of his pride after being named in
Argentina's 18-man squad for Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The diminutive Hammers
star is one of the big names in Julio Olarticoechea's selection, who will
open their campaign against Portugal on 4 August, with further group games
against Algeria and Honduras to follow. The former U20 international and
River Plate No10 has been recognised for a superb debut season in English
football with the Hammers, and the 23-year-old is hoping to continue that
good form when he returns to South America. "I am very happy for this,
representing my national team is always special," said Lanzini. "It's a big
tournament and is being held in South America, which is good for us and
important for Argentina."

Argentina won Olympic Gold in both 2004 and 2008, with Carlos Tevez
top-scoring in the former with eight goals. Javier Mascherano was part of
both victorious squads, while Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero were champions
eight years ago. Lanzini therefore knows how important the U23 competition
is to his fellow countrymen. With the likes of Atletico Madrid's Angel
Correa and River Plate's Giovanni Simeone - the son of Atletico coach Diego
- in the squad, Lanzini is confident of success. "For Argentina, going to
the Olympics to take the Gold is something we always try to achieve," he
confirmed. "It is very important for the country and we will do all we can
to take the Gold again. "Big players have played for Argentina in the
Olympic Games before, and we have some big players in this team too. It's
very important for all of us. "I know all of our players very well and we
will have a strong chance to do well. I have enjoyed our tour in America
very much, and I like this country, so I will be ready for these Olympics."

Lanzini also had warm words for another of West Ham's internationals,
Dimitri Payet, who has reached the UEFA Euro 2016 final with France. The
pair's combination play, movement and creativity played a central role in
the Hammers' strong 2015/16 campaign, and the Argentine is happy to see his
fellow attacking midfielder doing so well on home soil. "I am very happy for
Dimi," said Lanzini. "I know this was a very important tournament for him
and he has done very well. "I know he faces Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal
in the final, but I am backing France and Dimi, of course!"

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The Insider
WHUFC.com

All the reports this week have surrounded a move for Turkey international
Gokhan Tore. Tore played under Slaven Bilic at Besiktas and has been
strongly linked with a move to West Ham throughout the summer.
Besiktas president Fikret Orman added to the speculation on Friday when he
said a deal has been agreed with the Hammers. My sources have confirmed to
me that the Club are in advanced discussions with the player and have agreed
a deal with the Turkish Club. It is my understanding that the move should be
finalised next week. Speculation continues to grow over which new big name
forward will be brought into the squad next season.
I have been told that the Club have several huge bids in for strikers and in
one case it has been accepted by the club, but not by the player yet. The
Club are not prepared to give away which names they are going for until a
deal has been completed.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those
of West Ham United

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2015/16 in review: February & March
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 8th July 2016
By: Graeme Howlett

Join us as we take a look back at the 2015/16 season through the eyes of
KUMB Editor Graeme Howlett, who penned a weekly column for the Echo
newspaper throughout the campaign.

Today we look back at January and February in part seven of our review...


21 February

West Ham were simply too good for Championship side Blackburn Rovers at
Ewood Park on Sunday afternoon as they eased their way through to the
quarter finals of the FA Cup for the first time since 2011.

A brace apiece from Dimitri Payet and new signing Emmanuel Emenike -
combined with a Vic Moses strike that cancelled out Ben Marshall's early
opener (NB. another slow start from the Hammers) - sent West Ham through to
a potential last eight encounter with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

League One Shrewsbury, who face Man U in the last of the eight fifth round
fixtures tonight (Monday) will no doubt have something to say about that -
and who's to say the League One side won't be able to overcome a distinctly
lacklustre Mancunian outfit?

But even if they fail, West Ham should have little to fear about facing
Louis Van Gaal's expensively-assembled, ragtag gang of misfits who have
flattered to deceive for much of the campaign and have been unable to beat
United in either of their last two meetings.

Indeed, should they continue to play as they did on Sunday, the Hammers
should fear nobody. The gulf in class between Bilic's side and Paul
Lambert's Championship strugglers was vast and clearly evident and, bar
Marshall's early effort, which caught Darren Randolph unsighted, this really
was a case of men against boys.

Spurred on by more than 7,000 travelling supporters, who had made the
250-mile trip from London to the North West, West Ham scored five, had two
efforts disallowed for offside and hit the post. Had they scored ten, Rovers
fans would have had little cause for complaint.

At the heart of almost everything good that came from West Ham was Dimitri
Payet, who is clearly revelling in his role as the club's poster boy.

Happy with his new contract and adored by the fans, the 28-year-old
midfielder scored another wonderful first half free kick before wrapping up
the game with a virtuoso effort that involved a fifty-yard run and the
beating of several opponents, whom he left trailing in his wake.

It would have been a perfect day for West Ham had Cheik Kouyate not been
sent off midway through the second half after he was deemed to have denied a
goalscoring opportunity by referee Jon Moss, thus earning a one-match
suspension.

However West Ham believe they have a good chance of overturning the decision
upon appeal because Kouyate's (minimal) contact with Adam Henley was clearly
accidental and the striker had already lost control of the ball, which was
racing away towards 'keeper Darren Randolph, before contact was made.


28 February

The press room at the Boleyn Ground was unusually busy on Saturday afternoon
as the media assembled to witness former manager Sam Allardyce's return to
the East End.

However those journalists who were present expecting to report on 'Big Sam's
savaging by ungrateful West Ham supporters' were to be left disappointed.
Not a single boo or jeer - nor any kind of negative chant, for that matter -
was aimed at Slaven Bilic's predecessor as the Hammers secured three more
vital Premier League points against Allardyce's new club, Sunderland.

Instead, supporters used the occasion to mark their appreciation of Bilic's
regime by chanting HIS name on numerous occasions times during the match - a
gesture that was rarely if ever offered to the abrasive Allardyce.
(Excepting perhaps the 2012 play-off final when fans adapted ad hoc the
chorus of Coldplay's 'Paradise' to 'Alla, Alla, Alladyce'!)

West Ham - who with Bilic's guidance have been transformed into genuine
contenders for a European spot - struggled to get out of second gear against
their relegation-threatened opponents but still managed to grab a win thanks
to Michail Antonio's excellent first half strike, his fifth since joining
West Ham back in September.

And although they were on the backfoot for much of the second period,
Bilic's side did just about enough to keep the Black Cats at bay - although
it should be noted that West Ham also hit the woodwork twice (via Mark Noble
and Andy Carroll efforts) and had a very decent penalty appeal ignored by
referee Mike Dean.

Still, there was something quite ironic about winning this particular
fixture by one goal to nil, with a backs-to-the-wall ending; it could be
said that Bilic simply out-Allardyce'd Sam Allardyce!

The win takes West Ham back above Southampton and Manchester United into
fifth spot in the Premier League. And it's to the latter that the Hammers
will return for a second time this season for the quarter finals of the FA
Cup, the draw for which was made last Sunday following West Ham's 5-1 fifth
round demolition of Blackburn.

Allocated just shy of 10,000 tickets, West Ham sold their entire quota for
next month's tie at Old Trafford within 24 hours. Fans, thousands of whom
were left ticketless and disappointed genuinely believe that Bilic's team
have a genuine chance of reaching the semi finals this year - despite being
granted what would traditionally be perceived as one of the toughest away
draws.

Additionally, West Ham's FA Cup pedigree against the Red Devils is
impressive having beaten them at the fifth round (1986) and semi final
(1964) stages previously. And who can forget Paolo Di Canio scoring a
76th-minute, fourth round winner at Old Trafford in January 2001 as
goalkeeper Fabien Barthez hailed an imaginary taxi?


6 March

Last November a dreadful challenge by Everton's James McCarthy sidelined
West Ham's Dimitri Payet for the remainder of 2015.

So it was poetic justice when the brilliant Frenchman popped up inside the
Toffees' six-yard box during Saturday's return meeting between the two clubs
to score the winning goal, as West Ham recorded their first win on the Blue
side of Stanley Park since December 2005.

And what an incredible win it was for Slaven Bilic's side, who were two
goals behind with less than fifteen minutes of normal time remaining before
staging a remarkable comeback to steal all three points, courtesy of Payet's
last-minute winner.

Having fallen behind to strikes from Romelu Lukaku and Aaron Lennon, Adrian
made a brilliant save from a (Lukaku) penalty to prevent West Ham from going
3-0 down - at which point the travelling fans must have been wondering
whether the early start had been worth it!

However their patience and endeavour was ultimately rewarded as West Ham
staged an epic comeback. Michail Antonio, prolific of late scored United's
first on 78 minutes, the returning Diafra Sakho levelled the game three
minutes later - and Payet - who else? - grabbed the winner, just as added-on
time commenced.

The victory - West Ham's third in a week, following the wins against
Sunderland and Tottenham - lifted Bilic's side back above Manchester United
into fourth place in the Premier League, thus keeping alive the Irons' hopes
of ending what is already a memorable campaign in a European position.

But which competition that will be in remains to be seen, with the Hammers
now presenting a very real threat to those clubs hoping to finish in the top
four and qualify for next season's Champions League.

Just three points separate West Ham and second-placed Arsenal, who drew at
Spurs on Saturday and whilst Bilic won't dare speak of it, a spot in
Europe's premier competition is certainly within reach. Unlikely still - but
who thought Leicester City would be title favourites in March!?

However all thoughts of Premier League success will be set aside for the
next week or so as attention returns to the FA Cup, where a tantalising
quarter final tie at Old Trafford awaits.

West Ham have enjoyed mixed FA Cup fortunes against Manchester United in
recent seasons. Few present on the day will forget Paolo Di Canio's winning
goal in a 2001, fourth round meeting; few who witnessed the Gary
Breen-inspired 6-0 defeat two years later will wish to remember it!

More recently, in a 2013 third round tie, the Hammers were seconds away from
securing a 2-1 win at the Boleyn Ground when Robin Van Persie grabbed a
last-minute equaliser, taking the tie back to Old Trafford for a replay -
which the hosts won 1-0.

But this is a very different West Ham team right now - and one that has
every chance of turning the tables and securing a place in this year's FA
Cup semi finals.


20 March

When both sets of players and managers agree that a player has been harshly
sent off, it's difficult to express sympathy with the referee. And when your
team had been the victim of a string of similarly-poor calls, it's perhaps
no surprise that conspiracy theories begin to emerge,

Only two people have been outspoken in their support of referee Mark
Clattenburg's decision to dismiss Cheik Kouyate for a robust but fair
challenge on Dwight Gayle during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at
the Boleyn Ground.

One was MotD's commentator, whose view can be dismissed on the basis that he
claimed Kouyate went into the challenge two-footed and with studs showing -
which simply didn't happen. The other was pundit and ex-Arsenal star Ian
Wright, who face the Hammers in their next fixture - sans the influential
Kouyate, as it stands.

At the risk of beginning to sound like a broken record, Slaven Bilic's
frustration is entirely understandable. Robbed of an FA Cup semi final spot
at Old Trafford and two vital Premier League points at Stamford Bridge days
later thanks to dreadful decisions, West Ham's season is being affected -
negatively - by bad calls from officials.

And the myth which suggests these poor decisions even themselves out over
the course of the season is just that - a falsehood that simply has no
evidence to support it, yet plenty to suggest otherwise.

In order to determine how much teams are affected, over at Talksport they
have been compiling a list of incorrect decisions by referees throughout the
season. The aforementioned conspiracists won't be shocked to see the Hammers
bottom of this table, having received four incorrect calls in their favour
this term - and 11 against.

Conversely, the table is topped by Manchester United (eight for, one
against), Leicester (surprisingly perhaps with twelve for and seven against)
and then Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City.

So whilst it may be going too far to suggest the game is bent - even though
it has been claimed in recent days that a great number of Premier League
stars have been administered performance-enhancing drugs - it seems that
somehow, enough pressure is being exerted upon match officials to cause them
to award marginal decisions in favour of the league's elite clubs when push
comes to shove.

However the real shame about Kouyate's dismissal and Clattenburg's generally
awful performance is that it completely overshadowed another incredible free
kick by Dimitri Payet, who is probably the world's premier dead ball
specialist at this point in time.

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the
author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be
attributed to, KUMB.com.

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Besiktas announce Tore deal
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 8th July 2016
By: Staff Writer

Turkish club Besiktas have confirmed that Gokhan Tore has hald talks with
West Ham regarding a move to the Premier League. And that, say Turkish
sources, means only one thing - that the talented young winger is finally on
his way to the club. Kaan Bayakit, Editor of Besiktas International
explained why the Super Lig side made the statement. "Beşiktaş' announcement
that they have started the negotiations with West Ham United is common
protocol once a deal is has been struck," he wrote. "For those not familiar
with how Beşiktaş commonly do things, they usually don't report the
'negotiations' until an agreement has already been reached - so we can
therefore assume that Gökhan Töre will be a Hammer this coming season."

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Bacca talks set for next week
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 8th July 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham and Milan are reported to have reached an agreement regarding the
transfer of Carlos Bacca. The two clubs are understood to have agreed a fee
in the region of £25million for the 29-year-old Colombian international, who
is seeking a salary worth in the region of £75,000-per-week, according to
reports from Italy. And the two parties are set to meet early next week to
discuss a potential transfer for the former Brugge and Seville striker. West
Ham turned to Bacca after their plans to sign top targets Alexandre
Lacazette and Michy Batshuayi ended in failure; the former due to a lack of
interest in joining West Ham and the latter following Chelsea's late
intervention. 5'9" Bacca, who has thus far spent just one season in Italy
scored 20 goals for Milan last season in 43 appearances and five goals in 12
starts for his country.

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Hammers comment on Arsenal 'ban' stance
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 8th July 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham supporters have backed a new policy introduced by Arsenal which
promises to ban fans who post offensive messages via social media from the
Emirates. Earlier today it was revealed that Arsenal had begun banning fans
who use social media to post offensive or insulting messages from purchasing
match day tickets for home games. And the scheme has received a mixed
reception from West Ham fans responding to a KUMB twitter poll.

KUMB Podcast host Chris Scull was one of the first to respond in favour of
the new policy. "It's a good thing if implemented correctly and sensibly,"
he replied. "But we should still be allowed to call the odd player a
donkey!"

That view was supported by Joseph100200, who agreed that it was time for
"bedroom warriors" to be brought to task. "It's a good thing," he said.
"Stop people saying on their keyboards what they wouldn't say in the
street."

However Kuba Szerszen was one of those to disagree with the new policy, as
he felt it could be open to abuse by those interpreting it. "I think it's
dangerous as this tool may allow clubs to ban supporters for whatever
reason, for criticism etc," he said.

And Stuart Day believes that bans should only be introduced for certain
offences - and where there is no possibility of the wrong individual being
identified.

"If it's for racist comments then I can understand why they are looking at
it," he replied. "However you have to be 100 per cent certain before
punishing."

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EXWHUEMPLOYEE TRANSFER ROUND UP
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 7 JULY 2016 AT 10:51PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

At the moment the Sullivan's are on holiday and so direct meetings with
David Sullivan are not able to happen at the moment but of course he will be
constantly on the phone trying to sort deals out.

Tore is close. It should happen tomorrow (I know I said this yesterday).
The deal has taken a lot of negotiating and it is still ongoing on the finer
details because of the complexity of the loan and then buy arrangements plus
wages. Jack Sullivan did say in three days, tomorrow will be the third day
so hopefully he will join tomorrow.

Bacca's agent in London. This is not true. The fee has not yet been agreed
with Milan, although it is getting closer and as I mentioned David Sullivan
isn't here at the moment so there would be no point in the agent travelling.
We do hope to conclude this signing within the next few weeks but there is
still a long way to go.

Young to join? This is not true. Whilst we are looking for a player who
could cover left back on loan, Young's wages are unlikely to make it him.

Young players: The club hope to complete at least one, possibly two, young
player signings by the end of next week. All of those names have been
reported on the site in previous articles.

Janssen to Spurs: It does seem that this is where he wishes to go and if
that is the case he can. He wasn't in the top five priority forwards but
someone that we had considered.

Calleri to join: This is a forward that we have monitored for a while and
someone who I have always thought could join on loan. Originally he wasn't
called up to the Argentina Olympic Squad but he has been drafted in now
which means the club may hold off the offer.

Benteke to hold talks with the club: It appears that we have lost interest
in signing the Belgium forward due to his wages and his agent being
difficult to work with.

Sakho transfer request: I cant confirm that he has handed in a transfer
request and I would like to think that it isn't true. One thing I will say
is that he isn't happy and there is a mystery around his "injuries" if we
can get the figures quoted in the press for him (which I very much doubt due
to his injuries) I would take it.

The club are not panicking at all and they know they will land many quality
players ahead. I trust them on this. Tomorrow I am meeting the legend that
is Trevor Brooking and I hope to have some quality answers to share with
you. We are also in the process of launching our forum. It would be great
to get your feedback on the columns that we write and to build up
discussions around the themes that myself and others will try to respond to.
Have a look on the site-we do not see this as a rival to some of the
excellent forums out there just a chance to build up some discussions around
our articles.

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Payet to represent West Ham in Euro 16 final
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 8th July 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham will be represented in the final of Euro 16 by French hero Dimitri
Payet, who helped his country to a 2-0 semi final win against Germany in
Marseille last night. Although he didn't scored during the game - that
particular honour falling to Atletico's Antoine Griezmann, who grabbed both
of the hosts' goals - Payet was a constant threat once again and was well
received by the home fans upon his substitution 19 minutes from time. The
victory helped set up a final clash this Sunday (10 July) against Portugal ,
whose run the the final - which took in matches against Iceland, Austria,
Hungary, Croatia and Wales - must rank as one of the least taxing in recent
national tournament history. And that will be one of the factors leading to
the French being strong favourites to lift the trophy in front of their own
supporters this weekend. West Ham's other representatives at Euro 16 have
all returned home; Darren Randolph's Republic of Ireland were last 16
casualties against finalists France, whilst Angelo Ogbonna's Italy succumbed
to the Germans in a quarter final penalty shootout. The most unlikely
Hammers hero however was Welsh defender James Collins, who ended a
ridiculously-long season - lasting some 349 days - with a semi final
appearance against Portugal.

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Sakho hands in his notice
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 8th July 2016
By: Staff Writer

Diafra Sakho has handed in a transfer request, according to reports. The
Senegal international, long rumoured to be set for the exit door this summer
was recently linked with a move to Sunderland and a reunion with former boss
Sam Allardyce. Those particular negotiations ended in an impasse with the
Black Cats unwilling to meet West Ham's terms for the former Metz striker,
since when West Bromwich Albion have expressed interest (to the extent of
offering Saido Berahino in exchange). And now Sakho - who didn't travel to
the US last week for the current two-match tour - has moved to speed up his
potential exit from West Ham by issuing a transfer request, according to a
report by Sky Sports. The 26-year-old was brought to England on Sam
Allardyce's watch in 2014, but made just 24 appearances for West Ham last
season (seven goals). He was considerably more effective during his first
season in England (2014/15) when he managed 12 goals from 26 appearances.

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EXWHUEMPLOYEE TRANSFER ROUND UP
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 8 JULY 2016 AT 5:29PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

I have written this column early for two reasons. Firstly, Jack Sullivan
has tweeted something and the club's official Insider has also provided an
article which I can follow on from. Secondly, I am interviewing Trevor
Brooking later with SDCC for a new radio show that we are launching and will
be airing on the site. This one will be prerecorded but most will be live.
I am not a radio person and do not have the voice for it but I am sure it
will be an interesting listen. I will give more details later and we are
delighted to have a new forum on the site. Again, more info will come on
that.

Tore deal delayed: The deal is actually completed from all ends now. The
hold up is because of the Islamic festival of Eid. Turkey is a largely
Muslim country and everything stops for their biggest festival. The Turkish
administration offices and legal departments needed to make this deal final
are shut until Monday and this is the word from within the club. Whilst Tore
is in England it will explain why the deal cannot be finalised until the
departments reopen next week. Eid is not something that can be predicted
and depends on the position of the moon after the month of fasting (although
I am no expert). No one is able to predict when it will happen and
unfortunately it has fallen this week to delay this transfer. Rest assured
he will sign.

Bids in for forwards: As I regularly report in my columns, and despite
people saying I am throwing out as many names as possible, we do have lots
of bids in for forwards. I have regularly listed who they are and these are
all true. The figure is around ten player bids. Today we had a bid for Bacca
accepted by AC Milan. The club are keen to sign him and he is, at the
moment, the number one target. The problem is he has asked for huge wages
again. Many sites have been reported 60k a week, it is double that at £120k
a week plus bonuses. The club feel that these demands are too high and have
offered less and hope to meet him more in the middle. Should we offer him
£120k a week it would smash our wage structure and be way more than both
Andy Carroll (the highest paid player) and Payet (the most deserving).
Whilst the chairman has admitted he offered Tevez £150k a week, this could
be justified and like I said before it wasn't a recent offer despite what
has been reported elsewhere. This offer was months ago, before Payet had
signed his new deal. We therefore want Bacca to lower his demands and go
more clause based rather than having a high weekly salary. This is
especially needed given that he is unproven in England.

Wage Demands all round: Unfortunately all the forwards that we are after
have huge wage demands - another top target, Gomez, is the same.

Calleri: I have had it confirmed that the Argentina forward is a top target
and that the club are very disappointed that he has now been called into the
Olympic squad having not originally been accepted.

Sakho Transfer Request: It has also been confirmed that Sakho has put in a
transfer request. The club are not too concerned about this. We are really
worried about his injury record and think if he wants to move this could be
a good thing for the club. Unfortunately other clubs, namely Sunderland,
are also aware of the injury concerns and on that basis are offering a low
initial fee with much of it based on how many games he plays. WBA are also
interested but again, at the moment will only pay a small initial fee, so we
want to hold out for more. The bottom line is the player is unhappy and is
very likely to leave.

If any news breaks while I am out tonight I may be able to do a second
column. Many of you have spoken about ways that you may wish to help the
site grow further. This has meant a lot to me and so if you wish to do so I
promise it will all go on expanding what we do. Further details will
follow. Thank you.

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Julian Dicks says West Ham they are lucky to have Slaven Bilic
HITC
Damien Lucas

West Ham United coach Julian Dicks says the club are lucky to have enigmatic
manager Slaven Bilic. The Hammers impressed fans and pundits alike by
mounting a serious challenge for the Champions League places last season. As
well as taking a number of notable scalps home and away, including a
historic treble over Liverpool, Bilic reinvigorated the East Londoners with
stars such as Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini helping rediscover the 'West
Ham way' once more. The Irons officially enjoyed their best ever season in
the Premier League era in terms of points and ended with a positive goal
difference for the first time in 30 years.

Bilic also masterminded a fitting and thrilling 3-2 comeback win over
Manchester United in the last ever game at Upton Park. And the club now
qualified for the Europa League despite two defeats in their last three
games seeing them drop from fifth to seventh by the season's end. The former
Croatia boss has since impressed a wider audience with his brilliant
displays as a pundit for ITV during Euro 2016. Listen, he's got something
about him' And Hammers legend Dicks, one of Bilic's former teammates and a
coach in his backroom team, told the club's official website they are lucky
to have him. "He is (as charasmatic and enigmatic in the changing room as he
is the TV studio), listen he's a good manager," Dicks told whufc.com.
"You've got Lee Dixon trumpeting him for the England job. Listen, he's got
something about him, I mean you don't see many people jump on the table in
the commentary in the Euros. "But that's him, he's very passionate, we know
that, I know that, the fans know that and to be honest I think West Ham are
lucky to have him." It is difficult to envisage a situation where Bilic
would want to leave West Ham for another job given the club's exciting move
to the 60,000 seater Olympic Stadium later this month.

Next season sees some of the world's top managerial talent go head-to-head
in the Premier League with the likes of Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, Jurgen
Klopp and Antonio Conte in the mix. Bilic knows he has a job on his hands to
better last season's seventh place finish but one thing is for sure Hammers
fans wouldn't swap him for anyone at the moment.

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Carlos Bacca demands to match Dimitri Payet as West Ham's best-paid player
with Colombian holding out for £120,000-a-week
Carlos Bacca will meet West Ham representatives on Monday
29-year-old earns £60,000 per week at AC Milan as club's joint-top earner
Colombia striker is holding out for £120,000 with Atletico Madrid interested
West Ham expect to pay around £20million to sign the former Sevilla striker
By KIERAN GILL FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 8 July 2016 | UPDATED: 01:08, 9 July 2016

Carlos Bacca wants to become West Ham's best-paid player alongside Dimitri
Payet if he signs for them this summer. The AC Milan striker, 29, is in
talks with the club but he expects to double his wages to £120,000 per week.
Bacca earns £60,000 at Milan as the Italian club's joint-top earner. West
Ham expect to pay around £20million to sign the Colombia international but
his demands are steep. Champions League runners-up Atletico Madrid are also
in for Bacca and that has worked against Slaven Bilic's side, with the
player understood to have demanded more after learning of their interest. A
meeting between West Ham and Bacca is scheduled for Monday. The Hammers were
offered Robin van Persie but turned down the former Arsenal and Manchester
United striker - even though he is willing to take a pay cut. Fenerbahce are
prepared to sell the 32-year-old and Middlesbrough are also believed to have
been contacted. Van Persie earns £240,000 per week and scored 14 goals in 29
appearances in his first season in Turkey. West Ham could be a striker light
as Diafra Sakho has handed in a transfer request. The 26-year-old, subject
of an £11m bid from Sunderland last month, found his chances limited last
season.

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Turkish winger Gokhan Tore completes West Ham move, Besiktas president
confirms
JAMES BENGE
Evening Standard

Besiktas have confirmed that Gokhan Tore has completed his loan move to West
Ham. As reported by Standard Sport earlier this week West Ham were confident
that they would complete a deal for the 24-year-old winger in the coming
days after lengthy negotiations with the Hammers boss Slaven Bilic's former
side. However Besiktas completed the signing of reinforcements on the right
flank earlier this month, bringing in Gokhan Gonul from Fenerbahce. And the
Istanbul giants have now confirmed in a statement to Turkey's stock exchange
that they have reached an agreement with West Ham. Speaking in a press
conference Besiktas president Fikret Orman confirmed: "We have loaned Gokhan
Tore to West Ham, they made an offer and it appealed to us. "We have a lot
of competition for a place on the right wing with Andreas Beck, Gokhan
Gonul, Kerim Frei, Ricardo Quaresma, Aras Ozbiliz and Olcay Sahan." Tore
will be West Ham's third summer signing, joining defensive midfielder Havard
Nordtveit and fellow winger Sofiane Feghouli, both of whom arrived on a free
transfer. West Ham's priority remains a striker, with Carlos Bacca the new
favourite to join in a £26million deal. Co-owner David Sullivan revealed
earlier this week that the club had failed in an ambitious deal for Carlos
Tevez, who demanded £250,000-a-week to return to the side he saved from
relegation during the 2006/07 season.

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West Ham table bid for Besiktas midfielder Atiba Hutchinson
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Friday, July 8, 2016

West Ham have submitted a a £3m bid for Besiktas midfielder Atiba
Hutchinson, the Turkish club's president has confirmed. Hammers manager
Slaven Bilic has recently admitted he is chasing the Canada international as
well as Gokhan Tore, having worked with both players during his tenure at
Besiktas. Tore is reportedly in London to complete a switch to the Olympic
Stadium but West Ham still have work to do if they are to prise Hutchinson
away from Istanbul. "I am going to have talks with Atiba Hutchinson," said
Besiktas chief Fikret Orman. "He has said he wants to move to England. West
Ham made a £3million offer but we want more for him. "As I said we will
decide his future after we hold talks."

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West Ham priced out of move for Napoli striker Manolo Gabbiadini
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Friday, July 8, 2016

Inter Milan and West Ham United are being priced out of a move for Napoli
striker Manolo Gabbiadini. The Italian struck nine goals in 30 games last
season but he is ready to leave in search of regular first-team football.
Stoke City were tracking the 24-year-old, but they have pulled out of the
race to leave Inter and West Ham fighting it out. However, according to
Gazzetta dello Sport, both clubs are currently being priced out of a move
for Gabbiadini. Napoli are holding out for a fee of £21m for their striker,
but West Ham are only willing to hand over £17m. Inter are also reluctant to
spend over £20m and a stalemate is on-going until someone budges on their
demands.

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