Daily WHUFC News - 24th July 2017

Marko Arnautovic can't wait to get started with West Ham
WHUFC.com

Marko Arnautovic cannot wait to get started with the Hammers as Slaven
Bilic's men get set for the second leg of their summer European Tour this
week.
Arnautovic completed his Club-record move from Stoke City on Saturday and
will link up with his new teammates when they depart for their training camp
in Germany on Monday. The 28-year-old forward played for Werder Bremen
before heading to England with Stoke City four years ago, and in one of
football's little quirks, his Hammers debut could come up against Bremen
with West Ham taking them on in a Betway Cup double header next weekend.
Looking in from the outside, Arnautovic has been impressed with the quality
in West Ham's squad and now he is itching to take his place in claret and
blue. He said: "The manager gives me a good feeling for the Club and for
myself, that I can improve here. I didn't have to think long to take this
opportunity. "I spoke also to my family and everyone – everyone was happy
that the agreement was done with West Ham and now we can't wait to get
started at this Club. "West Ham have a lot of quality players here. When you
look at the squad, every player is one who is in that bracket. Now, Joe Hart
and Zabaleta have come in as well. They have a lot of experience in the
Premier League, they have played for Man City and are top players. "I think
we are going to make a good season, and I hope that everyone stays healthy,
without injuries and we can show some good football. "I will try to do my
best here and I hope to celebrate some success [at West Ham]."
With three weeks to the start of the Premier League season, Arnautovic is
already looking forward to walking out at London Stadium for the first time.
He added: "The first thing is that I'm happy to join the team on Monday and
fly with them over to Germany. Then, it's come like that that I'll be
playing against my former club first up, but the most important thing is to
get to know the players better and the Club and try to settle as quickly as
possible in the squad. Then everything will go from there. "I've been in
many stadiums, and many nice ones, but when I came to London Stadium to
watch West Ham play Stoke, it was impressive. All the Bubbles, and all the
fans cheering, it was a nice feeling. When you are a player at this Club and
you play in front of 57,000 people every second weekend, it's amazing."

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West Ham United Ladies add eleven new faces
WHUFC.com

West Ham United Ladies have strengthened their squad still further with the
signing of ELEVEN more players for the 2017/18 season!

The Hammers have been rebuilding this summer after formally becoming part of
the West Ham family in October 2016, with general manager Karen Ray and
first-team manager Greg de Carnys scouting far and wide in search of
talented players.

The Ladies had already signed seven players ahead of the new FA Women's
Premier League Southern Division season, including a number who featured in
Claret and Blue last term, before adding eleven more this weekend.

Two of those who committed their future to the Hammers – Kelly Wealthall and
Chloe Burr – were on the scoresheet in a 5-1 pre-season victory at Harlow
Ladies on Sunday, as were recent captures Amber Stobbs, Paige Anderson-James
and Molly Peters.

Here, former West Ham midfielder and current general manager and first-team
coach Ray introduces the latest arrivals:

Hannah Wheeler – A reliable and composed centre-half who will start her
third season at West Ham after joining from Women's Super League 2 side
Millwall Lionesses in 2015. Wheeler has also represented Kent FA and
currently studies at Kent University.

Jasmine Auguste – Another defender who made the move across the River Thames
from Millwall Lionesses, Auguste is a strong, quick and tenacious player who
initially joined the Hammers in summer 2016. She is a very well respected
member of the team and someone who leads both on and off the pitch.

Lottie Ivison – A third former Millwall Lioness, Ivison also joined the
Hammers in summer 2016. A goalkeeper, Ivison has shown great composure with
the ball at her feet and a passion for taking on the responsibility of
commanding the back line.

Demi Brown – A fourth former Lioness, Brown came through the Millwall Centre
of Excellence before joining Long Lane FC 2nd season at WHUL after joining
us from Blackheath-based Long Lane. She is a solid centre-back who is
difficult to beat in a tackle, while her strength and composure makes her a
very reliable player.

Charlotte Long – A versatile, creative and clever player who can play as a
midfielder or defender, Long begins her second season at West Ham after
joining us from fellow FA Women's Premier League Southern Division club C&K
Basildon.

Kelly Wealthall – A home-grown striker, Wealthall is joining the senior
setup from the Hammers' U16 Junior Academy team. A prolific goal-scorer, she
finished the 2016/17 season with 58 goals in the Essex County Girls League.

Tia Bailey – A defender who is strong, quick and tenacious, Tia Bailey is a
young player with an immeasurable amount of potential. She is starting he
second season at West Ham after joining us from Charlton Athletic in 2016.

Whitney Locke – Another who has been at the Club from a young age, Locke is
a talented and hardworking forward. Her blistering pace sees her skip past
oppositions to provide goal scoring opportunities for herself and others.

Stephaney Bent – Bent is in her second season at West Ham after joining the
Club from Women's Super League 2 side Oxford United. A hardworking,
versatile player who makes it difficult for defenders to play, she was voted
Players' Player of the Season last term.

Chloe Burr – Another player starting her second season at West Ham after
joining the Club from Chelsea Ladies Academy, Burr is a versatile player who
can play as a midfielder or forward. She is a very creative and smart player
who dances through the opposition. She also finished as the Hammers' leading
goal scorer last season.

Andreya Ezekiel-Meade – A second forward joining the senior group from the
U16 Junior Academy team, Ezekiel-Meade is another prolific goal scorer who
finished the 2016/17 season with 43 goals in the Essex County Girls League.
Added to her eye for goal, she will also create chances for others.

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Bilic: Arnautovic is a massive signing
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic hailed the arrival of Marko Arnautovic as a 'massive' one for
the Club after the Austrian international sealed his move from Stoke City on
Saturday.
28-year-old Arnautovic has established himself in the Premier League across
four years with the Potters and Bilic is looking forward to tapping into his
experience of English football at his new home. The manager says it is the
Hammers who will benefit from Arnautovic's prime years as he continues to
build his squad for the new campaign following the earlier arrivals of Pablo
Zabaleta and Joe Hart. "It's a great thing for the Club," Bilic said. "It's
a big signing – he is a massive player who knows the league, which is very
important. "He is in his best age, he is very motivated and I know him very
well. He is a top player and he can play all across the front line, so he is
a great signing for the Club. "Like everybody else he has to prove himself,
but I expect him to and he comes into the category of players who don't need
to adjust a lot to the league because he has been here for four years. He
became one of, if not the, best and most important Stoke players. Stoke is
good club, so with all that and knowing that today it's not easy to get top
players, it makes it a great signing for us."

Bilic says the signings of Arnautovic, Hart and Zabaleta have crossed off
three of his major targets and he is delighted at getting the majority of
his business complete at an early stage of pre-season. He added: "I said at
the end of last season that we don't need squad players, but we need top
players, the players who are going to improve the first eleven, and when I
say the first eleven that means the 14 or 15 you need for that game and the
game after. "The players we have brought in are those kind of players. Joe
Hart, Pablo Zabaleta and Marko Arnautovic, they are the players who can
bring the quality to our team. "Then with those players, the young ones will
flourish because they are going to learn from them and it will ease the
pressure on them. "Now, the majority of that is done, so congratulations to
the Chairman, to the Board. They have done brilliantly and people from other
clubs have recognised it. "You never know how it is going to click, but we
can for sure say we have done well. Also, it is important that we have done
it early enough in the transfer window."It's a massive achievement – it's
not easy, but we have done it."

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Cottee backs Wilshere bid
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 23rd July 2017
By: Staff Writer

West Ham remain keen on tying up a deal for Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere
during the current transfer window. The lifelong Hammers fan is back at the
Emirates after spending the 2016/17 campaign on loan at Bournemouth and has
been linked with a move to the Olympic Stadium for some time. And were the
Hammers able to broker a deal for the 25-year-old midfielder, one former
Hammer who would be delighted is Tony Cottee, a self-confessed fan of
Wilshere's.
"Pablo Zabaleta arrived earlier this summer, I said we needed a goal-scorer
and we've got Hernadez to solve that problem. Now there's Arnautovic to
create them," he told the Mail. "All we need to now is sign Jack Wilshere. I
think he'd be a great addition. "You've just got to keep him fit, that's all
you've got to do. He's a £50million player when fit. He's had a lot of
problems and I feel for the boy - but they've just got to keep him fit."
Despite being out of contract next summer, Arsenal have slapped a £20million
price tag on Wilshere. West Ham remain interested in signing him on a
permanent basis, but would only offer a considerably lower fee. Although
several other clubs have also expressed interest, including Serie A side
Sampdoria, only Turkish club Antalyaspor are known to have made an official
approach so far. According to Club President Ali Safak Ozturk, speaking via
A Spor, Arsenal have rejected a bid which was some distance below their
asking price.

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Vic is there
WHUFC.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd July 2017
By: Staff Writer

West Ham have completed the signing of Marko Arnautovic from Stoke City. The
Austrian winger becomes the club's record signing, costing the Hammers in
the region of £20million up front with a further £4million to follow
dependent on certain clauses being met. "It feels special to me to be a West
Ham player," Arnautovic told whufc.com. ""Everyone knows that West Ham is a
big club, with big history and I'm happy to be a part of it now. I can't
wait to get started.
"I played against West Ham at the old stadium – I didn't play last year at
the new stadium because I was suspended – but I came to the game and I can
only say it is a massive club with a lot of fans. "They are crazy for
football and this is what I like. The club is still growing, getting better
and better and that's why I'm here."Hammers boss Slaven Bilic added that he
was delighted to secure one of his key summer targets. "It's a big signing,"
he said. "Marko is a massive player who knows the league, which is very
important. "He is at his peak, he is very motivated and I know him very
well. He is a top player and he can play all across the front line, so he is
a great signing for the club. He doesn't need to adjust a lot to the league
because he has been here for four years. "He became one of, if not the, best
and most important Stoke players. Stoke is good club, so with all that and
knowing that today it's not easy to get top players, it makes it a great
signing for us."
Chairman David Sullivan, who led the move to sign Arnautovic added: "We're
delighted to have completed Marko's transfer from Stoke City. Marko will
bring plenty of quality to our front line and I'm excited to see him in a
claret and blue shirt."

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Randolph departs for bumper fee
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 22nd July 2017
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's third-choice goalkeeper Darren Randolph has joined
Championship side Middlesbrough on a permanent basis. And the Hammers have
pulled off an extraordinary deal by securing in the region of £5million for
a player who cost them nothing when joining from Birmingham two years ago.
The 30-year-old Irish international made 42 appearances for West Ham during
his time at the club, 22 of which came during the 2016/17 campaign when he
briefly replaced Adrian as Slaven Bilic's first choice 'keeper. "Darren is a
very good goalkeeper, and I didn't want him to leave," said Bilic.
"However, I could not guarantee him regular first team football and, with
the possibility of playing at the World Cup for the Republic of Ireland next
summer, he wanted to take up the offer from Middlesbrough.
"I would like to thank Darren for his service to the club; he has been a
fantastic professional and, as a player and a person, has the respect of
everyone at West Ham."

Randolph now finds battling against 38-year-old Greek international
Dimitrios Konstantopoulos - rather than England number one Joe Hart and
Adrian - for a first team spot. And maintaining his number one spot will be
his primary target in the final season before next summer's 2018 World Cup
Finals. "Competition is what you need, and it brings out the best in
everybody," he told mfc.co.uk, following confirmation of his arrival in the
North East. "I remember playing against Dimi when I was with Birmingham,
and Connor [Ripley] went to one of my old clubs Motherwell a few years back
and did very well. I've got hopes and aspirations of playing at the World
Cup, and playing games will be key. I can't wait to get started."

Ranbdolph becomes new 'Boro boss Garry Monk's sixth signing since 'Boro's
relegation from the top flight was confirmed.

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Javier Hernandez to fly to London on Tuesday to seal West Ham move
By Sky Sports News
Last Updated: 23/07/17 7:19pm
SSN

Javier Hernandez will fly to London on Tuesday to have a medical and
complete his move to West Ham, Sky sources understand. The 29-year-old
Mexico international will become the highest-paid player in the club's
history and is set to be on wages totalling £140,000 a week. The Hammers
agreed terms with Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday, releasing a statement
confirming the forward was due in London "in the coming days" to complete
the formalities of his move.
'Chicharito', as he is known, spent four seasons with Manchester United
between 2010 and 2015, where he scored 59 goals in 156 appearances, before
going on loan to Real Madrid in the 2014/15 campaign. The two-time Premier
League winner left Old Trafford in August 2015 for Germany, where he has
been even more prolific, netting 39 times in 76 matches for Leverkusen. West
Ham have made three signings so far this summer, confirming Stoke midfielder
Marko Arnautovic for a club-record fee on Saturday, while Pablo Zabaleta
joined on a free transfer and Joe Hart on a season-long loan from Manchester
City.

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WEST HAM'S DEAL TO SIGN RAUL JIMENEZ 'PRACTICALLY COMPLETED'
RYAN DARBY @RyanDarby_
ReadWestHam

A deal for West Ham to sign Benfica striker Raul Jimenez is 'practically
completed' according to reports in Mexico. O Jogo, who cite the reports
claim that the Hammers are close to completing a deal to sign the forward
after missing out on the player in 2015. The striker left Atletico Madrid
in 2015 and was widely expected to join West Ham, but reportedly over slept
and missed his scheduled medical before eventually joining Benfica. The
striker is yet to return to Benfica for pre-season training after being
granted extra time off as he competed in the Confederations Cup this summer.
The 26-year-old scored 11 goals in all competitions last season for the
Portuguese side, seven of which came domestically. West Ham are also close
to announcing the signing of fellow Mexican striker Javier Hernandez from
Bayer Leverkusen. The former Manchester United striker is due for a medical
at the club after the two clubs agreed on a fee for the forward.

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Marko Arnautovic says it was an easy decision to sign for West Ham - 'I
didn't have to think long'
GEORGE ELEK
Evening Standard

Marko Arnautovic says it was an easy decision to move to swap Stoke City for
West Ham after completing his club record signing on Saturday. The Austrian
international spent four seasons at Stoke, scoring 22 goals and grabbing 23
assists in his 125 Premier League appearances. The 28-year old, who can
play across the front line, is especially looking forward to working under
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic. "The manager gives me a good feeling for the
Club and for myself, that I can improve here. I didn't have to think long to
take this opportunity." Arnautovic told the club site. "I spoke also to my
family and everyone – everyone was happy that the agreement was done with
West Ham and now we can't wait to get started at this club."
Arnautovic is also impressed with the other summer recruits that West Ham
have managed to bring in so far. "West Ham have a lot of quality players
here. When you look at the squad, every player is one who is in that
bracket. Now, Joe Hart and Zabaleta have come in as well. They have a lot of
experience in the Premier League, they have played for Man City and are top
players," he added. "I think we are going to make a good season, and I hope
that everyone stays healthy, without injuries and we can show some good
football. "I will try to do my best here and I hope to celebrate some
success."

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PSG officials meet family of West Ham starlet Domingos Quina as French side
eye Portuguese starlet
Quina, 17, was on the bench 13 times in the Premier League last term
The Mirror
BYJOHN CROSS
00:29, 23 JUL 2017

French giants Paris Saint-Germain have made a shock move for West Ham
wonderkid Domingos Quina. PSG head of recruitment Joao Luis Afonso
instructed a party led by his brother Nuno to meet 17-year-old Quina's
family. Portuguese midfielder Quina is regarded as one of the hottest
teenage prospects and West Ham pulled off a major coup to sign him ahead of
Arsenal and Manchester United. But Quina has found it difficult to make an
impact in a struggling team and was a substitute 13 times last season in the
Premier League. PSG's head of recruitment Afonso and new technical director
Antero Henrique are both Portuguese and they saw Quina at the under-19
championships. That has not deterred PSG who are seriously interested and
their meeting in London underlines their interest.

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Mexico's Juan Carlos Osorio thrilled with Chicharito's move to West Ham
12:15 AM BST
Tom Marshall
ESPN FC

LOS ANGELES -- Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio laid down a challenge to El
Tri's Confederations Cup squad to challenge themselves as much as possible
at their club sides ahead of the next year's World Cup. And the Colombian
believes striker Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez has done just that by moving
to West Ham United from Bayer Leverkusen. "He'll be in a great league with
very good teams," said Osorio in a news conference on the even of Mexico's
Gold Cup semifinal with Jamaica at the Rose Bowl. "He'll get minutes and the
plus with that league is that it's maybe the only in the world in which last
place can defeat first place. He'll have the opportunity to compete with the
best in very good games."

Osorio and his coaching staff asked the players to try to find a away of
being involved in at least 10 "high level" games before Russia 2018, with
Mexico still having relatively few players in the best European leagues
compared to most top nations. The former Atletico Nacional coach is also
happy with Mexico midfielder Andres Guardado's transfer from PSV Eindhoven
to Real Betis. "He's in a league where he'll play the derby against Sevilla
and games against [Real] Madrid and Barcelona," stated Osorio, who also
talked up Hirving Lozano's opportunity with PSV in the Eredivisie.

The Mexico manager stressed that the current Gold Cup squad has 10 players
between the ages of 19 and 24 and said he's enjoying the challenge of
bringing them through to challenge for a place in the full El Tri squad.
"The biggest motivation to continue [as Mexico coach after the next World
Cup] is to see these youngsters consolidate themselves," said Osorio. "If
time allows me that or not is not my decision."

One of those young players is Chivas midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro, who has
already made a big domestic move from Pachuca in his fledgling career, but
he hopes one day to be joining the likes of Hernandez and Guardado in
Europe. "It's always been my dream to be in Europe, hopefully in the future
the opportunity will come," Pizarro said in the same news conference. Osorio
also talked about Sunday's match against Jamaica, a team El Tri could only
draw 0-0 in the group stage of the Gold Cup. The Colombian said that there
will be changes in the starting lineup compared to the 1-0 quarterfinal win
over Honduras and praised the "athletic" and "fast" Reggae Boyz. Jesus
Molina and Cesar Montes are injury doubts for Mexico, according to Osorio,
while Jamaica coach Theodore Whitmore indicated that Portland Timbers
striker striker Darren Mattocks is on the treatment table and struggling to
make the game.

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West Ham discuss move for £8m Badou N'Diaye as fears grow over Cheikhou
Kouyate's injury
West Ham in talks to sign Senegalese midfielder Badou N'Diaye
The 26-year-old plays for Turkish team Osmanlispor and is valued at £8m
The Irons have been charting his progress for more than 12 months
Concerns rise over Cheikhou Kouyate's knee injury sustained during Austria
trip
By Simon Jones for The Mail on Sunday
PUBLISHED: 18:29 EDT, 22 July 2017 | UPDATED: 18:29 EDT, 22 July 2017

West Ham are discussing a move for Badou N'Diaye amid concerns over Cheikhou
Kouyate's injury. Kouyate will at miss the first three games of the season
after injuring his knee in training during the club's pre-season trip to
Austria. N'Diaye is a midfielder West Ham have been watching for the past
year but are aware Galatasaray and Newcastle United have also shown an
interest recently. Senegal international N'Diaye plays for Osmanlispor and
is valued around £8million. West Ham, who completed the £24m signing of
Marko Arnautovic and sold goalkeeper Darren Randolph to Middlesbrough
yesterday, are also considering Jack Wilshere at Arsenal but would prefer a
loan deal. Mexican striker Javier Hernandez is due to have his medical at
the start of the week prior to his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen.

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West Ham offer confirmed by club president, other bids made too
By Gareth McKnight - July 23, 2017143 0
Ninetyminutesonline.com

Lazio president Claudio Lotito has confirmed that the Serie A side have
received an offer for Keita Balde Diao from West Ham United – but there are
other suitors for the versatile attacker. The Hammers are on a roll at the
minute, having taken the number of summer signings to four with the recent
additions of Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez, pending a medical. The
attacking duo join Joe Hart and Pablo Zabaleta as new faces at the London
Stadium, with West Ham supporters starting to get excited ahead of the new
Premier League season. Adding strength in depth in the final third has been
a priority for the Hammers over the last 12 months, with injuries to Andy
Carroll and Diafra Sakho leaving Slaven Bilic's men short of options in
2016-17.
Keita would be an exciting addition for West Ham if they can convince him to
move to the Premier League, but the London outfit face competition for the
star's signature. "Many bids have come on his account, now it is up to him
to decide what to do, I'm waiting," Lotito told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Which
offers? West Ham is public, then there are others from abroad, all
responding to our requests. Inter, Juve? No, neither of them have come up
with a proposal."

Keita had a superb season in 2016-17, scoring 16 Serie A goals in 31 outings
for Lazio and impressing with his speed and clinical finishing in front of
goal.
Capable of playing anywhere across the forward line, the 22-year-old is a
rare talent and would be an exciting addition for West Ham if they were able
to land him before the transfer window closes. The Hammers fans will be
weighing up just how Bilic's first-choice attack will set-up next season,
with Arnautovic and Hernandez sure to play.
With Andre Ayew, Michail Antonio and Manuel Lanzini all key men for the
Premier League side, the West Ham boss has an enviable amount of options now
available to him in the final third. The Irons' summer business will also
pose questions over the future of Carroll, who can be devastating when fit
and firing – but those days have been too few and far between during his
tenure in the capital.

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