Daily WHUFC News - 21st May 2016

Chadwell Chatter
WHUFC.com

Hello everybody,

It's been a great season for us, obviously. All the years I've been here,
we've always been looking over our shoulder, if you like, but this time
around it was nice to be looking at how high we could finish. It's
unfortunate we lost the last game, but seventh in the Premier League is not
too bad. Wherever you finish and whatever you do, you always think you could
have finished higher in the table, but I think if you'd been told before the
season that we'd finish seventh, we'd have taken it. It was disappointing to
finish the season how we did, but it's something to build on next year.
Personally, it was a little bit frustrating not to play a bigger part in the
final few games. I wanted to get back in and play and thought I might have
had a chance, but that's football and I'm old enough to realise that the
boys in the team had been doing well. Overall, I think it was my best season
for West Ham, and certainly the season in which I've had the least amount of
injuries, which was good at my age.

Now, I'll go away with Wales and hopefully my mid-season form for West Ham
might see me get a starting spot. I can't wait for the European Championship
finals. I had a chat with Mark Hughes at Stoke and for all us Welsh lads,
it's a new experience that he and so many other great Wales players never
had, for one reason or another. We're going into it blind, because none of
us really know what to expect, but we're full of excitement. We've got three
games to play and we'll be looking to qualify out of our group, and I think
we've got every chance. We meet up in Cardiff on Monday and have a week in
the sun in Portugal, then we get our heads on it for a friendly against
Sweden and then straight to France for the tournament. We have got Slovakia
first and I think that's a must-win for us. We need to go there and get
three points there to kick us off nicely. I think a win and a draw will see
us through, so that's what we're looking to do and we're confident we can.
I've had a little bit of ribbing from the English lads about the England
game, but it's more requests for tickets – they're going through the roof!
We've got Slovakia to look forward to first, then a massive game with
England. It's a huge game if we play England in a friendly, but to be
playing them in a major tournament is even bigger, but everyone's looking
forward to it.

Enjoy the Euros!

Ginge

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Winger Powell turns pro at beloved Hammers
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are delighted to announce that pacey winger Joe Powell has
signed a new three year contract with the Club. The seventeen-year-old, an
avid Hammer himself, proved to play a crucial part of the U18s successful
season as they qualified for the top group of the play offs. Having pledged
his future to his beloved Hammers, a delighted Powell said: "It's a great
feeling to sign the big contract that you always dreamt about as a kid and
it's a bonus for me as it's for the club I love. "A lot of hard work has
gone into this moment, the older you get, the harder and the more serious it
gets and you have to compete with other players for your place. Of course,
my family are very proud of me, especially as they are all big West Ham
supporters! "When I first found out, I was over the moon and the support and
praise from everyone was amazing."

This term, despite suffering injury which limited his game time, the
attacker, a set-play specialist, made 15 appearances for the U18s, as well
as featuring for the Development Squad. He reflected: "This season has had
its highs and lows. I had a good few games with the U18s, and then got
called over to Chadwell to train with the first team. "I trained really well
over there and then made an appearance for the U21s against Brighton.
Unfortunately later that week had a scan on my back and got told I would be
out for the next three months which was gutting. But now I believe I've come
back to the game as a more intelligent, stronger player."

Having achieved one of his boyhood dreams, Powell is well aware that the
hard work is only just beginning, yet he is looking forward to the
challenge. And with the club's imminent move to the new stadium just around
the corner, what better time to continue his development at the club he
loves? He finished by saying: "It's a fantastic year for me to be signing as
we move into the new stadium which is very exciting. From the first team
down, the club has done very well this year and I'm very privileged to be a
part of that. "I'm really looking forward to exploiting the opportunity my
new contract has given me and I'm hoping to make my way into the first team
within the year or two. It would be an absolute pleasure to make my debut at
the new stadium and hopefully establish my position in the first team
squad."

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From the Boardroom - David Gold
WHUFC.com

This has been a fantastic season for West Ham United and we will always
remember the final ever game at the Boleyn Ground. Whenever we beat
Manchester United it always memorable, but to do it in our final home game
and the emotions that surrounded the whole night makes it even more special.
It will live long in the memory for years to come. Unfortunately we could
not follow it up with another victory on the final day against Stoke and we
snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. How on earth did we not come away
with anything when we dominated the game and had so many chances? We had the
ball kicked off the line and Diafra Sakho had a great chance to make it 2-0
when he only had the keeper to beat and it turned out to be one of those
days. I was driving home disappointed and I could not get my head around how
we lost the game. We are now relying on Manchester United to do us a big
favour in the FA Cup Final on Saturday and we will become United fans for
the day. We all want to finish the season going into Europe and we will
better equipped going into the tournament if we can qualify for the Europa
League again.

The players who had the experience performing in the early rounds at the
start of the season will be a year older and more experienced. We will also
have new players coming in and we will have a much stronger squad. We have
already made our first signing of the summer with the arrival of Havard
Nordtveit. I am sure our supporters will say we have a very special player
when they see him play. I have watched games of him in action and he is a
very good player. I know the fans will take to him and he is just the first
of our new signings. We can trust Slaven and David Sullivan to get the best
transfers for the football club and they have negotiated great deals. We
will also look at the possibility of doing some loan deals and they have
proved to be great moves for the football club. You only have to look at
Manuel Lanzini who arrived last summer and we didn't know how he would
adjust. A year later he has been a fantastic signing for the Club. Some of
our players are now joining up with their countries ahead of the European
Championship Finals and I wish all of them the best of luck. I hope they all
enjoy a successful tournament and come back to West Ham at the start of the
season brimming with confidence.

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Bidding in the West Ham auction? Check the small print!
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 20th May 2016
By: Staff Writer

Supporters currently bidding for items in West Ham United FC's auction are
being warned to check the small print in the terms and conditions provided
by the club.

With offers already reaching crazy levels for even the most basic of items,
bidders should be awar that each item is subject to fees that will raise
tohe toal price of each item by around 40 PER CENT.

The auctions T&C, which may be found here, state that TWO premiums will be
added to each sale price. "All lots are subject to buyer's premium and VAT,"
it states.

"The buyer's premium is 16 per cent and this will be added to the winning
bid price. VAT at 20 per cent will also be added to the winning bid price
and the buyer's premium."

By way of an example, the current highest bid for the toilet sign above is
£275. Adding VAT at 20 per cent (£55) raises the price to £330.

Meanwhile the buyer's premium equates to £44, which with VAT (£8.80) becomes
£52.80. By our reckoning, the final sale price for a £275 item is therefore
actually £382.80 - a vast difference from the listed price.

* Thanks to KUMB member erifles for spotting this one.

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Veli happy where I am, says Besiktas star
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 20th May 2016
By: Staff Writer

Besiktas midfielder Veli Kavlak has scotched reports suggesting that he is
on the verge of joining West Ham United. Turkish media suggested earlier
this week that the Austrian international, who has been with his current
club since moving from Rapid Wien in 2011 was on his way to London in order
to join the Hammers. However the 27-year-old - who is also reported to have
been interesting fellow Premier League side Everton - has revealed that as
things stand, he intends to stay with the Black Eagles. "I want to win the
league again with Besiktas next season," Kavlak - who signed an extended
four-year contract in January 2015 - told Fotospor. "We have not discussed
severing ties."
The West Ham link is believed to have emerged after Kavlak recently
expressed his admiration for former boss Slaven Bilic, who was in charge at
Besiktas between 2013 and 2015 - although he was first linked with a move to
London last summer. Speaking previously, the Vienna-born midfielder said:
"He [Bilic] was like a father for me. He always supported me and gave me
freedom to express myself."
Despite the links with Kavlak, Bilic's number one target from his previous
club is winger Gokham Tore. The current Hammers boss signed Tore from
Russian side Rubin Kazan in 2013.

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Lacazette one for the future, says France boss
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 20th May 2016
By: Staff Writer

Didier Deschamps says that West Ham's top transfer target Alexandre
Lacazette could be a French international for years to come - despite hvaing
been left out of the squad for Euro 16.
Deschamp, who has placed the Lyon striker on a seven-man reserve list
admitted that Lacazette - who was the target of a £25million bid from West
Ham earlier this week - could have made the squad had his form been more
consistent for his club side during the 2015/16 season. And he also
expressed the view that the goalscorer would be a success wherever he chose
to play - be that Ligue 1, the Premier League or even La Liga. "Alexander
was much better in the second half of the season and more efficient," said
Deschamp. "He was at home, in Lyon, at a club he knows by heart. "Should he
stay, or should he go? It's up to him to make the right decision. And before
he decided, [Lyon] President Jean-Michel Aulas must also agree to let him
go. "But Alex has all the qualities to play in any of Europe's top
leagues." Lacazette, who hasn't featured for Deschamps and the French
national team since last October scored 23 goals for Lyon in Ligue 1 last
season - with 11 coming in his last ten outings

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Mendy? That'd be Nice
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 20th May 2016
By: Staff Writer

German website Liga Insider reports that West Ham are one of a number of
clubs to have expressed an interest in Nice midfielder Nampalys Mendy. The
23-year-old defensive midfielder, who has been compared to former French
legend Claude Makelele joined Les Aiglons in 2013 but is thought to be set
for a move this summer, with several Premier League clubs said to be
monitoring his situation. In addition to West Ham, champions Leicester City,
Sam Allardyce's Sunderland and Southampton have both been cited as potential
destinations for Mendy, who is eligible to play for France having been born
in La Seyne-sur-Mer despite having Senegalese parents, as has Bundesliga
side Wolfsburg. Despite not having featured for Didier Deschamps' France
yet, Mendy has appeared at all levels from Under 18 to Under 21 for his
country.

* In other transfer news, West Ham are reported to have made a move for
Argentinian striker, Jonathan Calleri. The goalscorer is currently on loan
with Brazilian side Sao Paulo but negotiations are said to be at an advanced
stage.

* Juventus Roberto Pereyra is like to be leaving the Old Lady this summer
and West Ham are said to have expressed an interest in taking the player,
according to Talksport. The Argentine midfielder, who is rated around the
£9million mark made 16 appearances for the Serie A champions.

* Reports emanating from France suggest that Slaven Bilic is poised to
launch a bid for Arsenal's reserve right back Mathieu Debuchy. The
30-year-old made 17 appearances last season for the Gunners and Bordeaux,
with whom he spent the latter half of the 2015/16 campaign.

* West Ham's interest in Gregory van der Wiel has intensified after PSG
revealed that the Diutch international would be allowed to leave on a free
transfer after four years at the club. Manchester United are also rumoured
to be interested in taking the right back on a free.

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Vardy seeking six-figure wage
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 20th May 2016
By: Staff Writer

Jamie Vardy is understood to have told potential suitors that they will need
to pay him in excess of £100,000-per-week in order to lure him from
Leicester. Vardy, who our resident ITK 'Jinxed' exclusively revealed via the
KUMB Forum earlier this month was a serious transfer target for the Hammers,
recently extended his contract with the Foxes. However the England
international, who is expected to lead the line for the Three Lions in
France at this summer's Euro 16 tournament could yet still leave the King
Power stadium - if the right offer is made.
Now 29, Vardy is also seeking a deal lasting at least four years, as he
seeks to capitalise on a fantastic season in which he has been crowned a
Premier League winner and established England international.

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Benteke hots up as Irons cool off
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on May 20, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Christian Benteke has again raised the issue of his future with West Ham
reportedly a target. The Belgian is known to have been unhappy with his
Liverpool season but has now widened his issue to claim that not only he but
others will be on their way to Jurgen Klopp's office for talks this summer.
H's reported this morning as saying he and others want to see the manager's
plans for next season and that the others too want to know what's going to
happen." He said: "I signed for five years – not one – but now I needs to
see the manager and discuss his plan."
It's all a bit off putting because the manager's plan was surely not to see
him fail in goal so regularly and finish up with nine from 43 appearances
and probably double that missed. He did cost £32 million after all!
ClaretandHugh can reveal, however, that he has slipped down the Hammersl
wanted list with one insider declaring: "Slaven half fancies him but there
are several other names in the frame. "Liverpoolare a very tough club with
which to do business. The players are on a lot of money and that makes
things hard when there are equally and perhaps more attractive propositions
elsewhere."

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West Ham Kitman wanted Apply within
Posted by Sean Whetstone on May 20, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham are looking to recruit a full time Assistant Kitman/woman.
Reporting to the First Team Kitman after the retirement of Pete Williams at
the end of this season. West Ham say the successful applicant will be based
at the First Team Training Ground at Rush Green, Romford, and will assist
with the provision of a full kit service to the First Team Squad, working
within a small team in an often highly pressurised environment.

The role will require the ability to travel between Club locations and to
away fixtures. You will need to be flexible with your working hours and days
as the working pattern can be different from one week to the next. You will
be expected to work weekends and this can include long trips that on some
occasions mean staying away on the night previous to the fixture. Some
fixtures during the season may be played in midweek with an evening kick off
and you will be required to work these games. Due to the busy nature of the
job and industry you will be working in holiday time during the season is
very limited.

The post holder will assist in preparing kit requirements for both match-day
and training and will include being in charge of preparing the match-day
kits from Reserve to First Team level.

This involves making sure that all the kit is sufficiently washed, dried and
folded ready to go out for matches. Key Responsibilities include: To assist
in managing the club's kit requirements, ensuring that all day to day duties
are completed. To deal with the First Team management and staff's kit
requirements and attend staff meetings that requires the kit department to
have an input into the day-to-day running of the Training Ground. To
organise kit distribution.

To apply please send your cover letter and CV to hr@westhamunited.co.uk
before Monday 23rd May

The job plays London Living Wage currently £9.40 per hour on a 40 hours week
which works out as £19,552 per year.

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Irons striker chase: Vardy wants a fortune
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on May 20, 2016 in Fans Forum, News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham's hopes are of landing Jamie Vardy are likely to be scuppered by
what ClaretandHugh is led to believe are some hefty wage hopes. The strong
word is that he is after between £125k and £150k a week which on a four year
package could cost the Irons approaching £30 million. Beyond blowing the
club's wage structure out of the water the Irons would be taking a huge
chance on a player who at 29 years is probably at the peak of his powers.
They may have considered a deal at around £100k a week but there is no
chance of a deal being done if the £125k to £150k figure is correct which
well informed sources are claiming. With Paris St Germain now favourites to
sign Alexandre Lacazette the Irons are widening their options on the striker
front although the club hasn't given up altogether on the Frenchman. They
are still hopeful things could change but they have no chance of competing
with PSG if their interest hardens up.

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West Ham face potential Europa League headache as Olympic Stadium won't be
ready in time for qualifying round tie
West Ham qualify for Europa League if Manchester United win FA Cup
Irons finished seventh in Premier League but United were fifth
Should West Ham make Europa League, opening fixture will be July 28
Fixture would come before completion of new Olympic Stadium
By ADAM SHERGOLD FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 16:21, 20 May 2016 | UPDATED: 16:45, 20 May 2016

West Ham face a potential logistical headache if they qualify for next
season's UEFA Europa League. Slaven Bilic's side finished seventh in the
Premier League but will play in Europe if Manchester United beat Crystal
Palace in Saturday's FA Cup final at Wembley. United have already earned
their place in the Europa League by finishing fifth in the league, so the FA
Cup place would pass down to seventh. The Hammers would enter the
competition in the third qualifying round, with the first leg scheduled for
July 28 and the second leg pencilled in for August 4. The potential
complication lies in West Ham's move to the Olympic Stadium, which wouldn't
be ready in time if they are required to play at home in the first leg. The
60,000-seater stadium is only due to be handed over by UK Athletics to West
Ham on August 1 after the London Anniversary Games on July 23. It takes
seven days to convert the stadium from an athletics arena to a football
venue.
It means the club may either have to request permission from UEFA to switch
the home tie to the second leg after the handover, or play the match at an
alternative venue. The draw is set to be made on July 15, giving West Ham
less than a fortnight to confirm the arrangements. A prestige friendly match
with Juventus has been scheduled for August 7 but that would no longer be
the curtain-raiser if West Ham make it into Europe. The Hammers made it into
the Europa League via the Fair Play table this season but were eliminated in
the third qualifying round but lost to Romanian side Astra after knocking
out Lusitans of Andorra and Birkirkara of Malta. A West Ham spokesman said
plans would be put in place when the outcome of the Cup final is known.
Palace would also enter at the group stage if they beat United on Saturday.
If United win, Southampton would be upgraded to a start in the Europa League
group stage, with West Ham taking what was their place in the third
qualifying round.

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West Ham eye transfer of Leicester's Jamie Vardy as summer striker search
takes a new twist
22:30, 19 MAY 2016
BY JOHN CROSS
Hammers chief David Sullivan has also confirmed interest in Liverpool's
Benteke, had Lacazette bid rejected by Lyon and been linked with Batshuayi
of Marseille
The Mirror

West Ham are considering making an ambitious move for Jamie Vardy. Leicester
striker Vardy has enjoyed the season of his life as the 5,000-1 outsider
Foxes won the title, and that has made the 29-year-old one of the most
sought-after properties in English football. Several Premier League clubs
have been sounded out about the England international, and the Hammers are
understood to have shown an interest. West Ham are desperate for a striker
as they prepare to move into the Olympic Stadium for next season, and
co-chairman David Sullivan confirmed back in March that they would like to
bring in Liverpool's Christian Benteke. Lyon hitman Alexandre Lacazette and
Marseille's Michy Batshuayi are also on the radar, with the Hammers having
already made bids for both men. They have also been eyeing Manchester City's
Wilfried Bony . But if Vardy has a buy-out clause after signing a new
contract in February , then West Ham are ready to explore a move. It could
be difficult to lure him away from Leicester after he signed that new deal,
and with Champions League football to look forward to with the Foxes next
season when the Hammers could, at best, offer Europa League . But Vardy's
age and getting into top-level football late means that clubs may feel they
might be able to tempt him with an even bigger deal.

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A definitive update for West Ham fans on Alexandre Lacazette
Date: 20th May 2016 at 5:30 am
Written by: Gareth McKnight
foreverwestham.com

Alexandre Lacazette's brother has admitted that the Lyon forward wants to
sort out his future in the near future, which could give West Ham a clear
indication of whether they can land him or not. The Hammers have made a club
record bid for the France international who continues to score at will in
his homeland. With Slaven Bilic's men eager to sign a number nine to fire
them into a new age at the Olympic Stadium, Lacazette would be an exciting
and able arrival. Lyon rejected West Ham's initial bid and are seemingly
keen to keep their attacking talisman at the Stade De Gerland this summer.
However, Lacazette's brother Benedict has stated that the hotshot forward is
keen to sort out his future before Euro 2016 and that the attacker was open
to leaving his current club. "Lyon will play in the Champions League,"
Lacazette told L'Equipe. "Until the end of May, French or foreign clubs who
are interested are allowed to contact Alexandre's agent. He doesn't want to
leave for the sake of leaving. Things will be determined when he is finished
with France. "Paris was already apparent last year. With the departure of
Zlatan, they seek to strengthen that position. It is not impossible that
Alexandre could go there, but it is not a certainty. There is no door closed
for now." West Ham look set to splash the cash on at least one striker this
summer, but will have to up their offer if they are to land Lacazette.

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West Ham transfer news: West Brom plan shock move for Enner Valencia
John Percy
19 MAY 2016 • 10:30PM
Telegraph.co.uk

Tony Pulis is considering an ambitious move for West Ham striker Enner
Valencia. Pulis has added Valencia, the Ecuador international, to his list
of forward targets for the summer as he bids to bring in more firepower.
Valencia, 25, endured a frustrating season under Slaven Bilic after
struggling with a persistent ankle injury and then finding first-team
opportunities limited on his return. The £12 million signing could plunge
even further down the pecking order if Bilic manages to sign another forward
this summer, with Callum Wilson, Christian Benteke and Michy Batshuayi
understood to be targets. Pulis is assessing striker options and Valencia
has been identified as a potential signing due to his relatively low wages
of around £25,000 a week. West Brom are reluctant to pay a huge fee, after
spending £12 million to sign Salomon Rondon last summer, but would be
interested in a cut-price deal or loan arrangement. Pulis wants at least
one striker ahead of next season and the future of Saido Berahino remains
uncertain, with Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City still interested.
Albion are likely to demand a fee approaching £20 million for the
22-year-old, even though he has only a year left on his contract. Pulis
said: "I've told Saido to come back for pre-season as fit as anybody to make
sure, whether he stays, he plays at the level that everyone knows he can
play at. If not, and he leaves, then he is in good health for another club.
"The most important thing is we get Saido prepared and let it play out. "As
long as he is playing and focussed then if someone comes along and pays the
money that Jeremy [Peace, the chairman] accepts then fine."

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