Diego's delight
WHUFC.com
A year ago Diego Poyet was West Ham United's penalty shootout hero in the UEFA Europa League victory over Maltese side Birkirkara. The stage appeared set for the young midfielder to establish himself during his second season with the Hammers but, for one reason or another, things did not quite go to plan. Poyet spent time on loan at MK Dons and first club Charlton Athletic, only for both clubs to endure difficult seasons which culminated in relegation from the Championship. For the 21-year-old, this was a new experience after a meteoric rise from the Addicks' reserve team to a Player of the Year accolade and a summer 2014 move to West Ham. Speaking to whufc.com, Poyet reflected on his stop-start 2015/16 campaign and expressed his desire to forge a long-term future with the Hammers...
Diego, you are back in a West Ham kit, so how does that feel?
"Yes, it feels great to be back. It's a nice place to be and I missed it when I was away. Going out on loan has positives, but I've missed training and being with the boys every day. "It's easier to get on with players with the club that you're signed to, so I've missed some of the boys. I saw them before we met up and it's nice to see them again and spend a lot of time with them."
You all seem to be really enjoying the US Tour?
"The facilities are great and the hotel is great, but obviously the game was a bit disappointing with the result. Obviously it was about getting minutes and that was the most important thing in pre-season. "We got what we wanted in terms of everybody being fit and getting through. I'm enjoying training – even the double sessions which maybe some players won't enjoy as much!"
Without going into details, last season was difficult, so is it now a case of pressing the 'Reset' button?
"Yeah, to be honest at the end of last season I was thinking about coming back and getting ready to be a West Ham player again. Loans have positives and negatives as well and I would do anything to stay here, as I love it."
A year ago this month you featured in the Europa League, so do you see this season's competition as another chance to impress?
"I hope so. Obviously we don't know what the gaffer is thinking, as it was disappointing that we got knocked out last year and didn't really get into the competition, so I'm sure this year we're going to really go for it and make sure we qualify and are in amongst the big boys. "As long as we're in the Europa League, that means there will be more chances to play matches, especially with the squad we have. I'm excited and thinking positively about it."
Just finally, your father Gus has taken over as manager of Spanish La Liga side Betis, who happen to be supported by Adrian, so the pressure is on!
"That's right! Adrian has told me that his whole family are Betis fans and have season tickets, so I'll have to tell my old man to make sure they work hard and have a good pre-season, or else I'll have Adrian on my back every day in training. "Dad is happy. He had a spell in Greece and used it as a stepping stone to get a job in Spain so he's excited. I spoke to him this week and I wish him all the best."
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West Ham meet £25m demands for striker but he prefers Spain move
WEST HAM are reportedly willing to give AC Milan's demands for Carlos Bacca - but must still convince him to move to England.
By JAMES GRAY
PUBLISHED: 14:40, Sat, Jul 9, 2016 | UPDATED: 14:50, Sat, Jul 9, 2016
Express.co.uk
West Ham are in the market for a striker this summer after no member of their squad got into double figures in the Premier League last season. The Hammers have been linked with moves for Alexandre Lacazette and Vincent Janssen but have yet to secure a striker. And according to Italian newspaper La Stampa, they are in a two-horse race for Bacca's signature. Slaven Bilic's side had initially refused to up their valuation from £20million to the £25m Milan wanted for him. But now they are reportedly happy to pay the full fee for the player in order to convince the Italian side to sell. However, they are not the only club interested in Bacca's services. Atletico Madrid's main priority is said to be luring Diego Costa back to the club from Chelsea but incoming boss Antonio Conte wants the Spain international to stay. But should Diego Simeone miss out on Costa, La Stampa claim he will match the £25m bid of West Ham and bring Bacca, who left Sevilla let summer, back to Spain. And the 29-year-old is said to prefer returning to the country where he spent two seasons and won two Europa Leagues. It is still though not clear whether he will indeed choose Atletico over West Ham, but Bacca is said to be certain to leave Milan this summer no matter what.
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AGENT: NO OFFERS MADE FOR ZAZA
MICHAEL OLIVER ReadWestHam
There have been no offers made for Juventus striker and West Ham target Simone Zaza, according to his agent Christian Maifredi.
Having been turned down by both Michy Batshuayi and Alexandre Lacazette, the Hammers have moved onto their next tier of striker targets which includes Juventus' Simone Zaza.
Zaza was used as Juventus' fourth-choice striker last season behind the likes of Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata, who has recently rejoined Real Madrid, and Zaza was limited to just five starts in Serie A last season, making 19 appearances in total and scoring just five times.
Juventus will allow Zaza to leave the club once they find a replacement for Alvaro Morata, which seems a long way away but that has not deterred clubs from lining up moves for the Italian international.
Despite talk of €30m offers from Wolfsburg and West Ham, Maifredi states that no club have made a request to sign his client thus far.
"For now the player has not received any request" Maifredi told SportItalia.
Zaza is one of a number of strikers West Ham are keeping tabs on, along with AC Milan's Carlos Bacca and Napoli's Manolo Gabbiadini.
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SASSUOLO RIVAL WEST HAM AND EVERTON FOR KHOUMA BABACAR
MICHAEL OLIVER ReadWestHam
Serie A side Sassuolo have joined West Ham and Everton in the race to sign striker Khouma Babacar from Fiorentina this summer, according to reputable Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.
West Ham have identified Babacar as the 'Plan B' should they fail to sign Carlos Bacca from AC Milan who's set to hold talks with the East London club early next week over a £25.7m move.
The 23-year-old netted seven times in 24 appearances for Fiorentina last season and has three years left to run on his current contract at the club having been there since he was 15.
Babacar is wanted by both West Ham, Middlesbrough and Everton and his agent flew to England yesterday to hold talks with representatives of all three clubs over the weekend.
Sassuolo have also held talks with Babacar's agent over a possible move to remain in Italian football as it grows increasingly likely that the striker will leave Fiorentina this summer.
It's believed la Viola will allow Babacar to leave the club this summer should the receive an offer of around €12m (£10m) for his services.
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WEST HAM CHASING LAZIO STAR ANTONIO CANDREVA
MICHAEL OLIVER ReadWestHam
West Ham are believed to be keeping tabs on Lazio midfielder Antonio Candreva this summer, who has also been linked with moves to Chelsea, Inter Milan and Napoli.
According to Czech source Eurofotbal, the Italian international is wanted by the Hammers as well as Inter Milan and Napoli, while the Metro state that the Blues want Candreva to replace Juan Cuadrado next season.
The 29-year-old was a star performer for Antonio Conte's side at Euro 2016 and has been one of the leading wingers in Serie A in recent years, scoring 10 goals and assisting four times last season.
Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images SportPier Marco Tacca/Getty Images Sport
It's believed that, while Lazio aren't keen on letting Candreva leave this summer, he could be available for €25m, which would be a club-record fee for the Hammers.
The right-winger is well-versed as a right-wing-back in Conte's 3-5-2 formation, making him a well-rounded option on the right of midfield.
West Ham already have a number of options who can play that position, including Michail Antonio and new arrival Sofiane Feghouli, but a player of Candreva's experience and quality cannot be overlooked should he become available.
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Sunday, July 10
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