Daily WHUFC News - 27th January 2017

Westley - Development is key
WHUFC.com

Terry Westley given his thoughts on the decisions behind the destinations of Marcus Browne and Toni Martinez as they moved out on loan
The December PL2 Player of the Month nominees have departed the club on loan for the rest of the season
Westley has also called on the younger players at the Academy to step up

Academy boss Terry Westley has revealed the coaches in charge of Wigan Athletic and Oxford United were key factors in the destinations of Marcus Browne and Toni Martinez. Warren Joyce (manager of Wigan) and Michael Appleton (manager of Oxford) both have a history of developing young players at Premier League clubs. With Browne moving to the Latics and Martinez to the U's, Westley believes the moves are vital to take their development to the next level. "They've been two of the stand out players for us and in the league," said Westley. "There was a lot of interest for both of the players. "We knew Warren Joyce from his days at Man United as a coach and a developer [bringing through] Marcus Rashford, Ashley Fletcher and Danny Welbeck, so that had a bearing on where we were going to send Browne. "Hopefully he goes and plays matches. That's the key to any loan. He's started very well, he was on the bench on Saturday and then played a behind-closed-doors match this week. They won 3-0 and Marcus scored twice as well as being brought down for a penalty. "Toni's was very similar. We knew the manager and we knew he has a history of developing players from his time at West Brom. "Oxford, to be fair to them, really showed a desire to want to take him to the football club. He's settled in very well, with the help of Greg de Carnys, our Head of Performance, who speaks Spanish and has been over there helping Toni settle in. I'm sure he's going to get some game time. "So they are two very good loans. The next step is getting matches under their belt, return to us pre-season with the thought process of pushing them to establish themselves as West Ham players."

The departures of Browne and Martinez mean the Academy of Football currently has 13 players out on loan, which means there is a necessity for younger players to make the step up into the U23s side. Second year scholars like Declan Rice, Nathan Trott, Vashon Neufville, Dan Kemp, Alfie Lewis and Tunji Akinola have all made significant contributions in Premier League 2 this season and Westley says there will be more chances for other players to break into his squad. "At the end of the day we are developers. We have to try and find ways to get young players into the first team and help Slaven, his staff and the club," declared Westley. "The results are good and we want to try and win football matches and we think if we can win five matches before the end of the season, we'll be in the play-off group. "When you think of who is missing and the team we could have, we've done very well both ways in terms of how many games we've won and the amount of development time we've given our scholars."

West Ham United PL2's match with Aston Villa kicks off at 7pm on Friday evening at the Chigwell Construction Stadium. Admission is free for season ticket holders - otherwise it's £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.

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Kemp - We are being noticed
WHUFC.com

West Ham United PL2 take on Aston Villa in Premier League 2 on Friday evening
The match is being played at Dagenham and Redbridge's Chigwell Construction Stadium and is free to watch for season ticket holders
Winger Dan Kemp is expecting an improved performance from the Hammers after their defeat in the reverse fixture

Dan Kemp thinks the PL2 side's performances this season have been the catalyst behind a number of loan moves for players at the Academy of Football this month. Kemp was speaking ahead of Friday's match at home to Aston Villa and said that recent loan moves for Marcus Browne and Toni Martinez show that strong displays for the U23s are being noted by Club managers up and down the country. The pacy winger, 18, also admitted he is surprised at his rapid rise after holding down a place in Terry Westley's squad over recent months and says he aims to earn a loan move of his own next season. "The way that the team has been playing this season is getting us noticed as a group," said Kemp. "We've got lots of good players and for me personally, if I can keep playing well, I can get a good loan and further my development. "I'm very pleased. I didn't expect to break into the U23s so early on in the season and now I've had a lot of games and a lot of starts but I'm not happy with this. I want to keep going and keep pushing forward and make sure I keep my place. "The boys that have gone out on loan means there's a opportunity for us other players to impress. It's time for the boys that have been in the team from the start to step up and help the boys that are coming into the team. "So we're all looking to help each other out and we've got a lot of quality in the U23s and U18s teams so whoever plays can do a job."

Kemp admits the recent postponement of Monday's Premier League Cup match with Leicester City was "frustrating" but thinks the Hammers have unfinished business with Friday's opponents. Westley's men were beaten 2-0 by Villa in the reverse fixture at the home of Walsall FC, and Kemp is hoping for a much better display this time around. "It was frustrating because obviously we were prepped, ready for the game and looking to get the win. These things happen and it gives us more time to go into Friday and hopefully get a win then," Kemp continued. "We should all be quite fresh for Friday so hopefully we'll get a good performance and a win. "Obviously last time they beat us 2-0 so this time we'll be looking to get back at them and show them what we've got. We're looking for a better performance than the one when we played them away."

West Ham United PL2's match with Aston Villa kicks off at 7pm on Friday evening at the Chigwell Construction Stadium. Admission is free for season ticket holders - otherwise it's £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.

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LUNCHTIME ROUND UP: SNODGRASS FEE AGREED, BILIC RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL, PAYET TERMS AGREED?!
BY DAN CHAPMAN ON 26 JANUARY 2017 AT 12:37PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

Afternoon Hammers, here is a round up the news this lunchtime.

Hull have accepted West Ham's offer for Robert Snodgrass, which is believed to be higher than Burnley's offer yesterday. (BBC)

Snodgrass reportedly prefers a move to West Ham over Burnley and Middlesbrough. (ESPN)

Its a good signing if we get him. I just hope we haven't paid too much more than Burnley for him.

Slaven Bilic has been released from hospital after suffering from a bad bout of flu. (Mirror)

After the fixture against Chelsea was changed to a Monday night, the Hammers have been assured that there will be no repeat of the events that occurred back in October. (Express)

I would hope there is no trouble, as it is just unwanted press for the club. The media will always try to just bring everyone down again.

Aaron Cresswell has shared something that disappointed him about West Ham's win over Middlesbrough last weekend. (HITC)

I agree with him, but a win is a win. We cannot grumble about that.

Dimitri Payet has reportedly agreed personal terms with Marseille, despite the two clubs failing to have agreed on a fee for the Frenchman. (GFFN)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but is that not tapping up? If so, then I hope we do the right thing and report Marseille for this. It is not fair how they have gone about this whole situation.

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Cole linked with County role
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 26th January 2017
By: Staff Writer

Carlton Cole could be set to make his return to English football - alongside former team mate Kevin Nolan. Former Hammers' striker Cole has not played since leaving Celtic at the beginning of the current campaign, but could be set for a sensational return to league football with Notts County. The League 2 side - who are under a transfer embargo at present due to outstading funds owed to HMRC - are currently managed by ex-Hammers captain Kevin Nolan, who was named as their new boss earlier this month. And one of his first tasks was to call Cole to discover whether the 33-year-old striker would be interested in joining him at Meadow Lane. "We have had a chat," Nolan told BBC Nottingham Sport. "It would be fantastic if I could bring him over. "The best thing is to see if he is interested and we can work something out. He has a few things in the fire. "He would be a breath of fresh air. He is a top pro and a good player. If we can make it happen and the embargo gets lifted, then we will try our best to do that."

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Robert Snodgrass: West Ham bid more than Burnley for Hull midfielder
BBC.co.uk

West Ham and Burnley will compete for the signing of Hull City top scorer Robert Snodgrass after the Hammers had a bid accepted.
Burnley had an offer accepted on Wednesday and, while both are believed to be in the region of £10m, West Ham's is higher. The Tigers, who are 19th in the Premier League, rejected a bid from the Hammers earlier this month. The Scotland midfielder, 29, has scored seven Premier League goals this season. The Tigers say the move is now down to the player and he has not yet gone for a medical at Burnley. Hull previously rejected offers of up to £6m from West Ham for Snodgrass, who missed Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Chelsea with what manager Marco Silva described as "a small injury in the knee".
Silva is reluctant to part with Snodgrass, having already sold midfielder Jake Livermore to West Brom for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £10m. Snodgrass has been linked with a move since December, before Hull triggered a one-year contract extension, tying him to the club until the end of the 2017-18 season.

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Two-way battle for Snodgrass
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 26th January 2017
By: Staff Writer

Both West Ham and Premier League rivals Burnley are understood to have had bids of £10million for Hull winger Robert Snodgrass accepted. According to reports, West Ham have returned with an improved bid for the former Leeds and Norwich player after the Clarets usurped United's previous offer. And the 29-year-old is said to be considering both offers ahead of the end of the window next week - whilst Middlesbrough are also thought to be interested.
West Ham had previously bid up to £6million for Snodgrass, who would effectively replace the outgoing Dimitri Payet in Slaven Bilic's styarting XI. The Scottish international has made more than 100 appearances in the Premier League despite playing outside of the top flight his entire career until joining Norwich in 2012. He has also represented his country 21 times having previously appeared at Under 19, 20 and 21 youth levels.

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West Ham still looking to sign Scott Hogan from Brentford
By Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 26/01/17 12:33pm
SSN

West Ham have not given up on signing Brentford forward Scott Hogan, according to Sky sources. Sources close to the 24-year-old believe the deal is hinging on the situation with wantaway Hammers midfielder Dimitri Payet. West Ham have agreed to pay £9m up-front for Hogan, who has 18 months left on his contract at the Sky Bet Championship club. Brentford value Hogan at £15m and want a further £6m structured into the deal, but West Ham have so far only offered £3m in additional payments. Sky sources understand West Ham have had three bids for the former Rochdale forward turned down. Hogan has enjoyed a prolific campaign in front of goal and has netted 14 goals in 26 matches for Brentford. He has not featured for Brentford since January 2 due to a combination of injury and West Ham's interest. The Hammers have made one signing so far during the January transfer window, securing the services of defender Jose Fonte from Southampton for £8m.

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West Ham transfer latest: Manager reveals all on £15m striker bid
DEAN SMITH has told West Ham to pay up or miss out on Scott Hogan.
By BRUCE ARCHER
PUBLISHED: 16:02, Thu, Jan 26, 2017 | UPDATED: 16:09, Thu, Jan 26, 2017
Express.co.uk

West Ham are trying to bring Hogan to the London Stadium to boost their striking options. They have had three bids turned down but have yet to reach Brenford's £15m valuation. Hogan has been left out of the Bees' squad in recent weeks with speculation over his future unsettling him. But the 24-year-old is set to return against Chelsea in the FA Cup. And Brentford boss Smith has told them to up their bid or go without. "We would let any of our players go anywhere for the right money, because everybody has a value at any club," Smith said. "We've had offers from different clubs for Scott Hogan and all of them have not met the valuation.
"We keep our business strictly private. We'll say no to people if we don't think the value is met and then it's up to them to come up with a deal that does meet ours."
Hogan was withdrawn from the Bees squad for last weekend's loss at Wigan after suggestions a renewed bid was imminent. "Scott's available for selection. He's trained all week, again, as he did last week," added Smith. "It will be my decision whether he's starting, whether he's on the bench or whether he's not involved.
"I think we made that abundantly clear last week at the end of the game that we're not going to be affected by phone calls."

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West Ham's £25m double swoop for Robert Snodgrass and Scott Hogan on hold until Dimitri Payet future resolved
KEN DYER, JAMES BENGE
Evening Standard

West Ham's £25million twin bid to sign Robert Snodgrass from Hull and Brentford's Scott Hogan remains on hold until there is more clarity on Dimitri Payet's future. The club have had a £10m offer for Scotland international Snodgrass accepted by Hull and they remain interested in the £15m-rated Hogan. The signs are, though, that there will be no definite movement on either player until Marseille significantly improve their last offer of £22.5m for Payet, who they sold to West Ham in 2015 for £10.7m. Club co-chairman David Sullivan, who is handling the negotiations, wants £30m for Payet and remains determined that Marseille will not acquire the player on the cheap. The deal could go all the way to the wire with the transfer window set to close next Tuesday. Burnley and Middlesbrough have also had £10m bids for Snodgrass accepted by Hull but a decision on his future could again have to wait until next week. Reece Oxford, West Ham's teenage defender, could go on loan to Rangers until the end of the season. The Scottish club are keen on signing Oxford, who recently agreed a new long-term contract. West Ham manager Slaven Bilic is intending to return to the club's training ground this weekend after spending two days in hospital with flu. Bilic felt unwell after last weekend's match at Middlesbrough and was admitted to the London Hospital for treatment. He is currently at home resting but has targeted a return to the club this weekend.

West Ham are confident their Premier League game against Chelsea at the London Stadium in March will be played without a repeat of the ugly scenes which marred the teams' EFL Cup tie three months ago. Sky Sports announced yesterday they will show West Ham's match with their London rivals on 6 March at 8pm as part of their Monday Night Football show. West Ham co-chairman David Gold took to Twitter on Wednesday to apologise to one fan about the timing of the fixture, writing: "Sorry Danny but we don't move the game, Sky do. We hate it as much as you. DG".

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Dimitri Payet agrees terms with Marseille as West Ham hold out for £35m for wantaway Frenchman
The Frenchman remains desperate to leave West Ham and return home due to family reasons with Marseille having multiple bids rejected for the 29-year-old
The Mirror
COMMENTS
BYLIAM PRENDERVILLE

Dimitri Payet has agreed terms on a return to Marseille - and is willing to take a £25,000 pay cut to secure the move. The Frenchman remains desperate to leave West Ham and return home due to family reasons. Marseille have made multiple bids for the 29-year-old, with their latest offer of £25m plus £3m in add-ons rejected. Talks have reached an impasse over a fee with West Ham holding out for £35m for last season's player of the year . But the player has agreed terms on a £100,000-a-week deal, which would represent a £25,000 pay cut from the contract Payet agreed last February. Marseille are still hoping a loan deal could be brokered with a fixed price in the summer. High flying Ligue 1 outfit Nice are also looking into a loan deal for the Euro 2016 star. Payet has been training with the club's Under-23s at the Hammers' Chadwell Heath training ground. He has told the club he is facing a family crisis, with wife Ludivine determined to raise the couple's three children in their homeland. In his absence, West Ham have won their last two Premier League matches to climb into the top half of the Premier League.

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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic released from hospital after suffering from bad bout of flu
The Croatian is set to return to take Hammers training in the next few days having been released from a London hospital on Tuesday
The Mirror
BYPRESS ASSOCIATION
11:15, 26 JAN 2017

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic is expected to return to take training over the next few days following a stay in hospital with a bad case of flu. Press Association Sport understands the Croatian was discharged from a London hospital on Tuesday and is now resting at home.
Bilic felt unwell following the 3-1 Premier League win at Middlesbrough on Saturday and after returning to the capital, went to hospital where he was subsequently kept in for observation. West Ham have seen some of their other staff and players hit by a sickness bug, with winger Michail Antonio having been ill before the win over Crystal Palace on January 14. The Irons are not in FA Cup action this weekend, so when he returns, Bilic will be preparing the squad for the visit of Manchester City on February 1. Earlier this month, Pep Guardiola's men romped to a 5-0 win at the London Stadium in the FA Cup third-round tie.

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WEST HAM STILL IN WITH A CHANCE TO SIGN HELDER COSTA
MICHAEL OLIVER @MichaelOIiver
ReadWestHam

It was reported earlier this month by Portuguese source O Jogo that West Ham were one of several Premier League clubs interested in signing Wolves loanee Helder Costa this month.

The 23-year-old is on loan with Wolves for the season from Liga NOS outfit Benfica and the deal contains an option for the Championship side to make it permanent for a fee of €15m.

Costa, a former Portugal U21 international, has been in fine form for Wolves this season, scoring seven goals and tallying five assists in 25 Championship appearances this season. Those totals rise to nine goals and six assists when you factor in all competitions.

O Jogo are now reporting that Wolves plan on exercising their option to sign Costa permanently in a €15m deal this month, amid interest from Premier League clubs. Benfica president Luís Filipe Vieira is travelling to London today to finalise the permanent transfer to Wolves.

However, aware of the interest in their star winger, Wolves plan on cashing in straight away on Costa before the end of the January transfer window and making a quick but sizeable profit on him.

West Ham are one of several Premier League clubs keen on signing Costa once his permanent transfer to Wolves is finalised, but they face competition from Crystal Palace, Southampton, Everton, Middlesbrough and Hull for his services.

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West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic released from hospital after severe bout of flu
The Hammers boss has been under the weather this week and was kept under observation by doctors
football.london
BY ALASDAIR GOLD
10:13, 26 JAN 2017UPDATED10:19, 26 JAN 2017

West Ham United have confirmed that manager Slaven Bilic was hospitalised earlier this week with a severe bout of flu. The boss was knocked back after feeling unwell following the 3-1 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday and took himself off to a London hospital the following day. Doctors kept Bilic under observation for 48 hours but he was released from hospital on Tuesday. Bilic picked up the virus after Michail Antonio was also struck down by it, but managed to shrug it off in time to face Crystal Palace and recover fully for the trip for the Boro. A club source told football.london: "This one is true. He was discharged on Tuesday and will link up with the team in the next few days after recuperating at home."
This weekend coming up is handy for Bilic to recover with the Hammers not in Premier League action and he should be fighting fit and ready to go for the visit of Manchester City to the London Stadium on Wednesday.

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Aaron Cresswell insists West Ham want to put things right against Manchester City after chastening FA Cup exit
SAM LONG
Evening Standard

West Ham are determined to right the wrongs of their FA Cup exit when they face Manchester City in the Premier League next week, according to Aaron Cresswell. The Hammers' Cup campaign was ended by City in devastating fashion earlier this month as Pep Guardiola's side scored five unanswered goals at London Stadium. Such a chastening exit was difficult for West Ham to take but Slaven Bilic's side have returned to form in recent weeks by winning back-to-back fixtures against Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough. West Ham now occupy 10th place in the table and Cresswell is keen for the east Londoners to prove that they can match City under the lights at their new home next Wednesday. "They're one of the toughest teams to play. It was difficult to go out of the FA cup in the manner that we did," Cresswell told the club's official website. "We want to rectify that and put it right. "We've got five wins in the last seven games which is very positive and if we keep that up, we'll be further up that table come the end of the season," he added. Andy Carroll's form in front of goal has been key to West Ham's resurgence. The England international has scored four goals in his last five League appearances and Cresswell is hopeful his countryman can fire West Ham on towards a respectable finish. "Andy has been fantastic since he has come back from injury and has been one of the most important players in our team. "If he keeps scoring, hopefully that can keep pushing us up that table," said the left back.

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Ghana star Andre Ayew 'blasts' referee Bakary Gassama for defeat to Egypt
Published on: 26 January 2017
ghanasoccernet

Ghana's forward Andre Ayew (L) challenges Egypt's midfielder Mohamed Elneny during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group D football match between Egypt and Ghana in Port-Gentil on January 25, 2017 AFP
Ghana star Andre Ayew had issues with referee Bakary Gassama following his side's 1-0 defeat to Egypt on Wednesday night in their final Group D match.

The West Ham United player said "refereeing should have been better" after the match.

A superb free kick from AS Roma star Mohamed Salah in the first half, however, meant the Ghanaians were relegated to second spot – as they set up a last-eight clash with Group C winners DR Congo on Sunday.

"Refereeing should have been better towards us," Ayew told BeIN Sports channel after the game, without elaborating further.

"We were dominant for long spells especially in the second half. Egypt didn't create many clear-cut chances apart from the free-kick goal."

Group D winners Egypt will now face North African rivals Morocco for a place in the semis when both sides clash at Stade de Port-Gentil on Sunday night.

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Rio Ferdinand sale offers lessons for West Ham's Payet transfer crisis
ESPN

As the Dimitri Payet saga continues, Gab Marcotti gives his views on player power and whether it is affecting the game. With the transfer deadline looming and the situation regarding Dimitri Payet still rumbling on, ex-Hammer Rio Ferdinand has joined the debate about the French International's intention to force a move away from Stratford.

In proclaiming that Payet should "respect the fans" and having urged Slaven Bilic to "let the player rot" rather than sell him to Marseille for less than the Hammers' asking rate, the former England International has aligned himself firmly with supporters.

Whatever the strong words from Ferdinand however, the former England international knows full well the reality of the situation. In transfer matters, the club do not always have a strong hand and the general consensus is that having an unhappy player on the books does no club any favours. Indeed, while it doesn't always work to the benefit of the selling club, the transfer fee does also allow a team to invest in players who will hopefully make the side stronger.

The problem with this particular transfer tussle isn't that Payet has just signalled his unhappiness with life in the East End, it's more the way the 27-year-old has gone about it that has caused such resentment.

In refusing to play and going on strike, Payet has appalled fans, all of whom would dearly love the opportunity to play for the club they support. Similarly, Bilic and the owners are all obviously shocked and disappointed at the way the France international has responded to the huge contract agreed just last year. He may have his family reason but it's certainly the sense of betrayal that hurts.

Dimitri Payet's future is unclear as Marseille have failed to meet the Hammers' asking price. However, most fans realise the economics of modern football and few blame the opportunity Ferdinand himself took when he left the club in November 2000 to play for Leeds United in the Champions League. Nevertheless, hidden behind the accepted front of any transfer, there often lies a deeper truth -- and Ferdinand himself is testament to the fact.

At the time the Hammers sold Ferdinand for a club record of £18 million to Leeds, as the Yorkshire club and West Ham sat next to each other just outside the top six of the Premier League. It's true that, having won the league title the season before, Leeds were also playing Champions League football, but supporters were torn on the decision to sell Ferdinand at that time.

Some argued that the £18m -- then a British transfer record that made Ferdinand the world's most expensive defender -- could be used to strengthen a Hammers team just outside the accepted elite of the English Premier League. Others felt that West Ham, under no pressure to sell the player, should utilise the skills of the then 20-year-old for a few more years and wait for the inevitable sale to a bigger club later on. Those in the latter camp largely found themselves vindicated when the £18m disappeared in a flurry of poor purchases, while Ferdinand left Leeds for Manchester United for an estimated fee of £30m just two year later.

Rio Ferdinand started his Premier League career with West Ham before moving on to join Leeds United. Had West Ham held onto Ferdinand for another couple of years, the history of the club in the early part of the century would have been manifestly different. As it was, the sale of the popular defender signalled an end to the Hammers' "Golden Generation" and within a short while, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick and Glen Johnson had all left for greener and more lucrative pastures.

Now it's true that the Dimitri Payet situation isn't following the accepted pattern of West Ham transfers and it's certainly not the case that the sale of the Frenchman will trigger a mass exodus. Nevertheless, it is hard to see any benefit in forcing Payet to stay and, with a bigger stadium and a higher profile, any profit of £10-£15m-plus on the Frenchman should enable the club to bring in some good players. Behind the bluster though, there is some acknowledgment that when, as he surely will, Payet leaves, West Ham will lose a world-class player that they will almost certainly be unable to replace for the money. In that sense, there are parallels with the Ferdinand situation. It's probably this rather than economics of any deal that has made the Hammers play hardball with Payet. On 2016 form, Payet is well worth £30m and West Ham are right to hold out for it.

Where will the standoff end? Well, with the larger gates in their new home, the Hammers believe they can afford to keep the midfielder until the summer, but don't be surprised if some "added extras" deal isn't struck before next week. Ultimately however, there are no winners in this sorry episode and, while it would offer some satisfaction to believe that Payet himself will be the biggest loser, it's likely to be West Ham who will suffer the most.

Peter Thorne, aka Billy Blagg (@BillyBlaggEsq), is ESPN FC's West Ham blogger.

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