Daily WHUFC News - 22nd January 2016

Slaven Speaks - Man City
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic has faced the media ahead of Saturday's game against Manchester
City. The Gaffer spoke at length about his new signing Sam Byram, other
potential January targets and team news ahead of the visit of the Citizens.

Sam Byram first of all. Tell us what you see in him and what he'll bring to
the team?

SB: "It's a good buy for us. He is a young player, he's English, he's
home-grown, very young but with the experience of playing in the
Championship. We are planning for the next season, and he has been on our
radar for a long time. To be fair it was more of a plan for next season, but
it is good to have him now."

How did the deal come together, because Everton thought they were pretty
close to signing him, but you moved in very quickly…

SB: "We didn't react on Everton. We had been tracking him for a long time,
and it wasn't only Everton, there were a few other clubs who wanted him. At
the end, we didn't jump in after we heard some other clubs were interested
in him. According to the television and all that he was quite close to
signing for Everton, but we knew we had a good chance and we're delighted
that he came to us."

He said he was persuaded by what you said to him – can you give us a flavour
of what was said?

SB: "I told him that I like young players and I told him my opinion about
him and about in which areas he can and should improve. He liked it and I
didn't promise him anything, but what he really liked is that he found out
we were watching him for a long time and he realised we were serious about
him and had big plans for him. It's up to him to show us in training and in
games his improvement and he wants to be a part of our big project. It was a
simple talk and after he talk he decided to join us."

At what point might you introduce him to the first team?

SB: "I will be open and say that he was more for us for the next season,
because we have Carl Jenkinson, who is on loan from Arsenal and at the start
of the season they said this is the last year they will give him to us.
Then we started to look who could fill that gap for us. We have Tomkins
there, we have Joey O'Brien, who is a long time injured, and we lost a few
players from last season like Guy Demel so we did it [signed Byram]. He has
come now and it is only a plus for now, but I can't tell you now when he is
going to play."

About ten days left before the window closes. Are you looking for a striker
still?

SB: "Yes, but not big time. We are not panicking, we have a couple of
players injured still, but both should be fit early or mid-February. On the
other hand there are a couple of players who may leave the Club – maybe
Zarate maybe Jelavic, and if that happens we will try to get one striker."

How are you looking for team news on Saturday?

SB: "Joey O'Brien is back. He has been through a lot of setbacks regarding
his injuries and I'm glad for him that he will join us on Thursday.
Hopefully he will be fit for the long term now. James Tomkins has a small
injury from the game against Newcastle. He is going to train individually on
Thursday and will join us in training on Friday so we will see if he is
available. All the others are good, apart from Sakho, Carroll and Lanzini.
They are still out, but are recovering ahead of schedule."

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Chadwell Chatter - Dimitri Payet
WHUFC.com

Hello everyone,

We know the size of the task that faces us on Saturday and we'll probably
have to play a practically perfect game to beat them. But anything's
possible. If we play the match with the same intensity as we did away from
home, that should do it. On current form I think Sergio Aguero is among the
best attackers in the Premier League and even in the world.

It's important that we keep an eye on him, but it's also important to have
an eye on the players like Yaya Toure, Silva and Kevin de Bruyne, who give
him the ball. If the ball doesn't make it to him it's even better! The
league's so tight at the moment, whether you're talking about the top,
middle or bottom. Everyone has something to play for and you see that each
weekend, the games are very important. But to my mind, I think the title's
between Manchester City and Arsenal.

I hear there's already been some chat about footballer of the year and to be
compared with the likes of Aguero and Mesut Ozil is obviously pleasing. I
think, nevertheless, that they're a little bit ahead of me right now, but
it's touching to be compared with such players. I'd say my free-kick against
Bournemouth was one of my best goals. It was the one where I felt the most
joy, because it was a goal that came after two months without playing, so I
really felt a great sense of satisfaction to be able to score so quickly
after returning. But there will be no fighting over free-kicks with Enner!
It's just a question of feeling at the time, he who feels the best
generally, there's no problem there.

I saw videos of the Arsenal fans singing my song on social media. I took it
with a smile, because I've heard a lot of comparisons between me and Mesut
Ozil. I think he's a truly an exceptional player who's having an
unbelievable season and he's had a lot to do with their league position this
season. It made me laugh, I'm looking forward to West Ham Arsenal now!

Come on you Irons,
Dimi

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Young Hammers ready for Cottagers clash
WHUFC.com

The Development Squad return to Barclays U21 Premier League action on Friday
22 January with a trip across London to play Fulham. The two sides have
played each other as recently as last week when the Hammers recorded a 3-2
victory over the Cottagers after extra time in the U21 Premier League Cup.
Since scoring a match-winning brace that day, Elliot Lee has joined
Colchester United on loan while left-back Stephen Hendrie has joined
Southend United. This means Academy director Terry Westley will have to
shuffle his pack and turn to exciting younger players including Vashon
Neufville. The 16-year-old left back has impressed during his 14 appearances
for the U18s this season.
The young Hammers are now eight games unbeaten, since losing to Fulham
earlier in the season, a 2-0 defeat at the Boleyn Ground. This impressive
run of form has taken the claret and blues to fifth in the table, just two
points off the play off spots. Meanwhile, Fulham are eighth, however a win
could see the Cottagers overtake their opponents.

Kick off from Motspur Park is 7pm, make sure you follow @whufc_official and
whufc.com for team news, updates and reaction.

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Hammers enter European Top 20
WHUFC.com

West Ham United have been strongly praised after the Club entered the
prestigious Deloitte Football Money League Top 20. Compiled by the
multinational professional services firm Deloitte, the Football Money League
ranks European clubs by their overall revenue, with the Hammers appearing in
the Top 20 for the first time in a decade at No20. With strong and decisive
leadership from the Board leading to increased matchday and commercial
revenue, a large rise in income by way of broadcast revenue and a move to a
new 54,000-capacity stadium to look forward to, Deloitte predicts that West
Ham 'should…overtake some of the club's continental competitors' soon. In
the 2016 Football Money League report, Deloitte's Sports Business Group
editor Dan Jones lauded the Hammers for their ability to grow the Club's
income from both internal and external sources, while also taking the
decision to make 'major price cuts' to Season Tickets for the 2016/17
season. Jones explained that the Club's overall revenue had risen 5% from
£116.5m in 2013/14 to £122.4m last season, helped by a 9% (£1.9m) increase
in commercial revenue and a rise in the Hammers' share of Premier League
broadcast distributions. He described the partnership with Principal Partner
Betway, which was agreed in February 2015, as a 'significant mid-season coup
and the 'key driver of the rise in commercial revenue'.

Jones wrote: "West Ham's re-emergence in the Money League Top 20 is mainly
buoyed by the current levels of Premier League centralised broadcast
distributions, but is also a positive reflection of the work being done
within the club. "As the Hammers prepare to bid farewell to Upton Park, a
combination of the aforementioned commercial gains, as well as the expected
increases in matchday and broadcast revenue as of 2016/17, should see the
club consolidate its position in the Money League top 20 in the medium term,
and even overtake some of the club's continental competitors."

Commenting on the report, West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said:
"We are pleased to see West Ham United being named in the top 20 in the
Deloitte Football Money League as it is evidence that my Board's strategy to
stabilise and grow the club is continuing to bear fruit. "We are determined
to turn West Ham into a global force, while still maintaining the same
community values that make us so special
"West Ham's improved ranking is also a recognition of the expertise and
dedication of our colleagues throughout the business, who work tirelessly on
a daily basis to better the club. "With the correct management, excellent
player recruitment and a constantly improving commercial operation, our
potential knows no limits. "These are truly unprecedented times for West Ham
United."

West Ham are one of nine English clubs to appear in the Top 20, with
Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham
Hotspur, Newcastle United and Everton also included. The remainder consists
of three clubs from Spain, including top-two Real Madrid and Barcelona, four
from Italy, three from Germany and one from France. West Ham's achievement
is all the greater when it is considered that the Hammers were one of just
four clubs in the Top 20 not to participate in European competition in
2014/15 – Manchester United, AC Milan and Newcastle United being the other
three.

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New striker to arrive in London this weekend
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 21st January 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham's replacement for the outgoing Mauro Zarate and Nikica Jelavic is
scheduled to arrive in London this weekend for talks.

The KUMB Forum and social media have been awash with claims and
counter-claims this week after co-owner David Sullivan revealed in an
interview with Sky Sports that the club were hoping to sign a new striker
ahead of the transfer deadline.

A veritable host of names have been bandied around in the past 48 hours with
some of the leading candidates including Tigres' Andre-Pierre Gignac - a
former team mate of DImitri Payet's at Marseille, Fenerbache's Nigerian
international Emmanuel Emenike, Moussa Sow of Al Ahli and Demba Ba, who
spent four months at the Boleyn during West Ham's relegation season of
2010/11.

And whilst speculation continues to mount over the identity of Sullivan's
man, KUMB has learnt that the player will arrive in London this weekend
ahead of talks regarding a short-term move that will include an option for a
permanent deal.

Speaking to Sky on Tuesday, Sullivan revealed: "We are looking long-term for
a 20-goal-a-season striker and there's a possibility that an overseas
striker will come in on loan within the next seven days.

"I can't tell you [in which country he plays] because you'd know exactly who
it is! It's like when we signed Manuel Lanzini from Saudi Arabia, but he has
played in higher leagues."

The main players; who's your money on?

Demba Ba: Looked excellent during his brief spell at West Ham in 2011 and
scored seven in just 12 appearances. Now 30, currently playing in China for
Shanghai Shenhua having left Besiktas last summer.

Emmanuel Emenike: Contracted to Fenerbahce but currently on loan with Al Ain
in the UAE Pro-League. Now 28. Retired from international football last
October so a question regarding work permit status.

Andre-Pierre Gignac: Aged 30, currently plays for Tigres in Mexico's Liga
MX. Linked with West Ham last February and then again in June, before opting
to move to his current club. West Ham also made recent enquiries into his
availability. Used to play alongside Dimitri Payet and Swansea's Andre Ayew
at L'OM.

Moussa Sow: Another who left Turkey for the riches of the Middle East last
summer. Now featuring for Al Ahli with Emenike in the UAE Pro-League. Aged
30.

Carlton Cole: Well stranger things have happened, right..?

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Byram for England, says Sullivan
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 21st January 2016
By: Staff Writer

Co-owner David Sullivan has welcomed new signing Sam Byram to the club - and
has already linked the youngster with a potential England call-up. Sullivan,
speaking after West Ham had completed the £3.7million signing of the former
Leeds United full back insisted that the versatile 22-year-old had the
potential to represent his country - if not for a while yet. "He has been
bought for the future and long term, he could well be an English
international," he said. "He is a utility player who can play anywhere down
the right hand side and when played in a forward position he can score
goals. He has already scored three times for Leeds this season. "He is still
young and is improving all the time. His uncle and cousins are West Ham
United season ticket holders."

And Sullivan confirmed that West Ham had not planned on moving for Byram
until the end of the season - until Everton had an offer for the player
accepted last week, compelling the Hammers to act. "We had planned to sign
him in the summer," he said, "but we were forced to move sooner as it was
clear that Everton had agreed terms with Leeds to sign him." Meanwhile
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic revealed that he was delighted to tie up the
capture of the highly-rated youngster. "It's a good buy for us," he told the
media during his Thursday press conference.
"He is a young player, he's English, he's home-grown, very young but with
the experience of playing in the Championship. We are planning for the next
season, and he has been on our radar for a long time. It was more of a plan
for next season, but it is good to have him now."

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O'Brien to join Nolan revolution?
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 21st January 2016
By: Staff Writer

Popular full back Joey O'Brien looks set to leave West Ham within the next
few days - with two clubs fighting to land the former Irish international.
The 29-year-old defender has barely featured for West Ham this season having
suffered from a string of injury problems in recent months. However that
has not dissuaded Sunderland, currently managed by former Hammers boss Sam
Allardyce - nor League Two Orient, now under the control of Kevin Nolan from
registering interest in O'Brien. Sunderland thought last night that they had
got their man - however KUMB understands that the Dublin-born defender has
spurned Big Sam's advances and opted to remain in London, by joining former
team mate Nolan at Brisbane Road instead. Slaven Bilic confirmed this
morning that O'Brien had regained full fitness and was expecting to train
with the squad for the remainder of this week. "He has been through a lot of
setbacks regarding his injuries," he said. "I'm glad for him that he will
join us. Hopefully he will be fit for the long term now."

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Zarate and Jelavic may go, admits Bilic
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 21st January 2016
By: Staff Writer

Slaven Bilic has confirmed that Mauro Zarate is in talks with Fiorentina -
and that fellow striker Nikica Jelavic is also likely to leave the club
during the current transfer window.
Bilic, speaking during this morning's pre-match press conference confirmed
KUMB.com's exclusive from yesterday linking Zarate with the Serie A club.
And he also revealed that fellow striker Jelavic - who only joined the
Hammers on transfer deadline day back in August, just five months ago - is
also on the verge of leaving the Boleyn Ground. "There are a couple of
players who may leave the club - maybe Zarate and maybe Jelavic," he said.
"Then, if that happens - and it may happen - we're going to try and get one
striker. "In football sometimes it looks close - and then it's not. But it
looks like he [Zarate] is going to go to Fiorentina."

But Bilic denied that one potential replacement was Liverpool striker Daniel
Sturridge, who had been linked with West Ham during the past 48 hours.
"That's only a rumour, there's nothing behind it," he confirmed. "I'm not
talking about who we'd like, I mean Daniel Sturridge is a big player, a big
name and a great player. But that's only paper talk. What ifs? I'd take
Messi also! But it's only an 'if' and there's nothing in it."

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A Potential signing: Emmanuel Emenike
January 20, 2016
WestHamWay.co.uk
RJTHEGAME

Height: 5 ft 11 in.
Age: 28
Current Team: Al - Ain
Position: Striker

Emmanuel Emenike is a popular name and a player that is quite well known
across Europe. He has scored goals wherever he has gone and I feel he would
be a top signing for West Ham!

He is one on a list of strikers I have always wanted to join West Ham when I
watched him and I feel he could add a lot of qualities to our striking
options. I feel he is a confident, determined striker which is what I like
in my strikers and won't shy away from shooting and trying to grab the game,
he won't hide and will want the ball! He is very quick and powerful, a
threat to any opposition, in my opinion with his quickness and good
movement.

I don't feel he would get bullied in the Premier League, I think he would be
perfect. He shows good body strength to hold off defenders when needed and
can turn them. I think he would be horrible to play against for defenders
as he is unpredictable.

With his attributes he is a real threat in behind the defence and with the
ball. He will show effective skill and is good at getting past players.

He is accomplished in many areas as a striker, he can score in many ways
plus bring his teammates into play. Mentally he is strong, he had to deal
with racial abuse in the past from opposition fans in Russia and Turkey. So
I feel playing in England would be a lot nicer for him obviously.

I'll stick my neck on the line and say I believe he has the ability to grab
between 15-20 goals a season if fully fit all season. I would be very
excited to see him in a West Ham shirt! I think he could make a similar
impact to what Demba Ba made. I'd love to see him up front with Sakho and I
think they would be a good mix and obviously with Payet behind it would be
great. I feel he could play up front on his own also, so either way he can
make an impact. I think Emenike would thrive off of the service from Payet
and the quality between them would be a good match.

The board deserve credit if they capture Emmanuel Emenike!

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Mauro Zarate leaves West Ham to join Fiorentina
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 21/01/16 10:24pm
SSN

Mauro Zarate has ended his 18-month spell with West Ham by joining
Fiorentina on a permanent contract. The forward has not featured for West
Ham since the 1-0 FA Cup third-round victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on
January 10 and has joined Fiorentina for a fee believed to be £1.6m. "I
would like to thank David Sullivan and David Gold for believing in me and
for giving me the opportunity of playing at such a special club like West
Ham," Zarate said via his official Twitter account. "I would also like to
thank my team-mates for the good times we shared and wish them the very best
for the future, and especially I would like to thank from the bottom of my
heart all the West Ham supporters for their unconditional support and
affection, you are truly unique. "Thank you all very much! COYI."

Zarate joined West Ham from Argentinian side Velez Sarsfield in the summer
of 2014, but spent the second-half of the 2014-15 season on-loan at Queens
Park Rangers after falling out of favour under then-manager Sam Allardyce.
He was reintegrated into the first-team squad at the beginning of the
current campaign following the appointment of Slaven Bilic as Allardyce's
successor and has featured in 21 matches, scoring five times.

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan confirmed to Sky Sports News HQ the club
were hoping to sign a new forward in the next seven days and the departure
of Zarate is likely to have freed up funds for them to continue their
pursuit of a new frontman. Sky sources understand the Hammers have made a
bid to take Fenerbahce striker Emmanuel Emenike on loan for the remainder of
the season.

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Daniel Sturridge West Ham link played down by Slaven Bilic
By Stephen Turner
Last Updated: 21/01/16 1:04pm
SSN

Slaven Bilic says West Ham could sign a striker this month but has described
reports of a move for Daniel Sturridge as "paper talk".
Bilic is currently without injured forwards Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho,
while Mauro Zarate and Nikica Jelavic could leave the club during the
January transfer window. That would leave room for a new recruit, but the
Hammers boss has played down suggestions Liverpool's Sturridge is a target.
"That is only a rumour and there is nothing behind it," Bilic said. "I am
not talking about who we want - Daniel Sturridge is a big player and a big
name - but that is only paper talk." Pressed on whether he would be
interested if Sturridge became available, he said: "What if? I would take
Lionel Messi also, but it is only an 'if' so there is nothing in it." Sky
sources say Fenerbahce's Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike is a loan target
as talks continue with Fiorentina over Zarate's departure. "We are not
panicking," Bilic said. "We know that we have a couple of players that are
injured. "On the other hand there are a couple of players that may leave the
club. Maybe Zarate, maybe Jelavic and if that happens, and it may happen,
then we are going to try and get one striker."

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SUCH A…PERFECT DAY...
By Terence Bates 21 Jan 2016 at 17:00
WTID

A Lou Reed song and one of my favourite records…. And a song to be applied
to…

September 19th 2015, a day that is etched into my life time memories for
many reasons. I am going to share this day and story with you and let out a
secret that could very much land me in big big trouble!

West Ham were playing Manchester City at the Eithad Stadium and frankly were
expecting to get walloped by almost everyone. The season before I had for
the first time travelled to the Eithad and watched West Ham get beat 2-0.
Manager at the time Sam Allardyce pictured here captured perfectly how I
felt.

Mr Angry
So come to… September 19th 2015 Manchester City were riding high, unbeaten
and frankly looking unbeatable and on course to go 6 points clear at the top
of the Premier League. West Ham at this stage had beaten Arsenal and
Liverpool to a great fanfare, but also suffered losses to Bournemouth and
Leicester sending out at the time mixed messages as to their performances.
The media, like West Ham fans were a little bit unsure as to the quality of
the two stand out results and our less than favourite pundit Mark
La-wrong-sen was unhappy with the Liverpool performance and believes that
West Ham are not a 'good' team (apply expletive here!).

My best friend Dean also a Hammers fan and I were talking about the
forthcoming match against City and both of us were hugely optimistic after
all West Ham had turned over Arsenal and Liverpool, so we were looking
forward to the game which was live on TV with a 5.30 kick off on Saturday
19th September. A date indelibly inscribed into my head.

The weather was also perfect certainly in London, dry and warmish with the
sun showing its hat every now and then. So what could possibly get in the
way of us watching the match on TV or in the pub?

Well a wedding was in the way for both my friend Dean and I. And what's
worse, the wedding was just like the match, a late kick off on the Saturday
set at 5.30 how ruddy inconvenient!

What inconsiderate idiot would do this to me and have their wedding on this
day at this specific same time?

Err… well me to be precise I was the architect of missing the game live in
any way, shape or form. Three months earlier I had proposed to my then long
term girlfriend Hilary and we set the date for the 19th September at Stoke
Newington Town Hall. I was getting married, but not in the morning like most
do, no I was getting married at 5.30 precise. Doh.

Weddings my god are one of the most stressful things to organise, surely a
good reason not to get divorced is in order not to face the stress of
getting married again!

The reception venue was still not complete on the Friday night before the
wedding, the electrics had malfunctioned, the wine had gone missing in
transit from the merchants and I ridiculously decided I didn't like my suit
on the morning of the wedding and much to everyone's disdain decided to go
to Charlie Allen's a local tailor on the Saturday morning and get a new one.
The TV programme 'Don't Tell the Bride' had nothing on what was unfolding
here in East and North London, and to cap the stress of organising a wedding
I was going to miss the live game of Manchester City v West Ham.

What was needed was a Black Adder Baldrick type inspiration… Indeed a
'cunning plan'. Dean had been appointed as Best Man. There was no way he was
getting out of his duties, he was not going to call in sick with a hangover
or saunter up later, we were in this together.

We figured it would probably not go down too well if I had my eyes glued to
my iPhone or zip out my iPad to follow the game live during the service.
Dean likewise would need to be discreet. Texting was out of the question. So
Dean had his phone and mini headphone wired to one ear and we devised hand
signals. Right hand up with finger pointing up meant West ham had scored,
left hand finger pointing up meant City had scored. What could possibly go
wrong?…

West Ham scoring is what could go wrong! Six minutes played and there was I
holding hands with my bride to be gazing into her eyes and out of the corner
of my eye I see best man Dean who could hardly contain his glee, giving out
a secret hand signal like a professional bidder at a Sotheby's Auction. 1-0.
My reaction?… aargh I fluffed my lines and drew sniggers from all the
audience in the Town Hall chambers!


Whoops… I regained my composure and the rest of the ceremony went smoothly
and beautifully. My bride looked stunning in a dress she had designed (I
have to mention this!) and I knew I had made the perfect decision to marry a
wonderful woman and West Ham were winning 1-0! How could it possibly get
better?

The ceremony finished at 6.00 some 30 minutes after the ceremony had begun.
We then marched hand in hand out to the sunshine and our waiting guests
(That's me and my Bride/wife… not me and the Best Man). There were cheers,
there were tears, there was joy, there was confetti and there was oddly
bubbles randomly blown by some of the children and then there was this….

6.02 minutes and Dean approaches me and whispers in my ear 'Sahko has put us
two up!' Set free of focusing on the registrar and the protocols of the
marriage ceremony I could throw the shackles of restraint away.

I could write another thousand words to explain and capture the thoughts in
my head at the time… but as they say a picture paints a thousand words. To
many on that day these images captures some lovely moments…

We've Scored!
Only the Best Man and I knew the other contributing factors to this image!
I'd got the girl and the Hammers were also winners. Purr…fect.

This Saturday West Ham entertain Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground in
what will be the last time City are likely to play at the ground in the
return fixture. The game again is live on TV, I won't be getting married
this time and as perfect a day as it could be if West Ham win, it will never
ever be as perfect as the 19th September 2015, for obvious reasons! COYI.

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West Ham close in on transfer deal for Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike
after Sam Byram signing
22:30, 21 JAN 2016
BY DAVE KIDD
The Hammers are hoping to bring in the 28-year-old on loan from Turkey's
Fenerbahce as a replacement for the Fiorentina-bound Mauro Zarate
The Mirror

Slaven Bilic is close to completing a loan deal for Nigerian striker
Emmanuel Emenike this month. West Ham will offload Mauro Zarate to Serie A
club Fiorentina, freeing up a place in their squad for the 28-year-old
Fenerbahce hitman Emenike, who is currently on loan at Abu Dhabi club Al
Ain. When boss Bilic managed Turkish side Besiktas, Emenike played for their
Istanbul rivals Fenerbahce; and when the Croat was in charge of Lokomotiv
Moscow, the Nigeria international was at crosstown rivals Spartak. And Bilic
said: "There is a new situation with a couple of our players might leave the
club and if that happens then we are going to try to get one in - and
Emenike is one of them (we're looking at). But is not a done deal. "Of
course he is a good player. He is one of the players we have been linked
with and we will see."

Bilic has denied hijacking Sam Byram's transfer to another of his former
clubs, Everton, after West Ham completed the £3.7million signing of the
full-back. Byram had been close to joining the Goodison club from Leeds, but
Bilic insists the Essex-born 22-year-old had been a long-term target of the
Londoners - and is likely to feature regularly after their move to the
Olympic Stadium next season. Bilic said: "We didn't react on Everton's
interest. We have been tracking Sam for a long time. Not only Everton but
other clubs wanted him. We didn't just jump in after we heard other clubs
were interested - although according to TV, he was close to signing for
Everton. "We were going under the radar and were thinking about Sam more for
next season. We have Carl Jenkinson on loan from Arsenal this season and
other options in that position. "I told Sam that I like young players, I
told him that he can improve, I didn't promise him anything, no guarantees -
but he found out we were watching him for a long time and that we were
serious about him and had big plans for him. We are delighted to have him,
he is a talented home-grown player."

James Tomkins faces a Friday fitness test to see if he can face Manchester
City on Saturday after picking up a knock in last weekend's defeat at
Newcastle, while Joey O'Brien is fit again.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mauro Zarate thanks West Ham owners and fans ahead of £1.6m move to
Fiorentina
20:41, 21 JAN 2016
BY JAMES WHALING
The Mirror

The attacking midfielder is set to finalise his move to the Serie A club
after struggling to hold down a first-team place at Upton Park
Mauro Zarate has publicly thanked West Ham's owners David Sullivan and David
Gold ahead of his £1.6million move to Fiorentina. The attacking midfielder
is set to finalise his move to the Serie A club after struggling to hold
down a first-team place at Upton Park.
He has started just nine games in the league this season having been loaned
to QPR during the last campaign following his switch from Velez Sarsfield in
the summer of 2014. Zarate scored five times in the top flight for the
Hammers during his stint in the East End.
He wrote on Twitter: "I would like to thank David Sullivan and David Gold
for believing in me and for giving me the opportunity of playing at such a
special club like West Ham. "I would also like to thank my teammates for the
good times we shared and wish them the very best for the future, and
especially I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart all the West
Ham fans for their unconditional support and affection, you are truly unique
"Thank you all very much! COYI."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
One out, one in
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 21, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Emmanuel Emenike has posted a sticker of himself in a West Ham top
superimposed over a photo Zarate peeling away on his personal instagram
account this evening. He earlier posted a picture the football film 'Green
Street'.

The Nigerian has been in London this week in order to negotiate a deal. The
28-year-old joined Al Ain FC on a season-long loan deal in the summer of
2015, but it has been cut short. Slaven Bilic knows Emenike from his time in
Turkey as Besiktas manager. Fenerbahce are said to want at least £7million
for their striker on a permanent deal and will give West Ham to buy at the
end of the season.

Emenike is expected to be announced a new a loan signing tomorrow

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sad Zarate farewells from Gold and DS jnr
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 21, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

David Gold, David Sullivan jnr and Mauro Zarate have tweeted their
farewells from the Ironson Twitter over the last few minutes..

David Sullivan Jnr released a Twitter conversation between himself and
Zarate in which he said: "Good luck in Italy."

"You have left us with great memories and me my family and the rest of us at
West Ham wish you nothing but success. You never know we may see you back at
West Ham again some day."

Zarate responded by saying: "Thanks Dave, was a great experience. West Ham
is a beautiful club. I'll never forget you all."

And a few minutes ago the player said: "I would like to thank David Gold
and David Sullivan for believing in me and giving me the opportunity of
playing at a special club like West Ham United.

"I would also like to thank my team-mates for the good times we shared and
wish them the very best for the future, and especially from the bottom of my
heart all the West Ham supporters for their unconditional support and
affection. You are truly unique. Thank you all very much."

David Gold then tweeted his best wishes to the player saying: "Good luck to
@mau_zeta for the future, will always be remembered and welcome at west ham.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Slaven Bilic on the hunt for further West Ham signings
JAMES BENGE 8 minutes ago0 comments
Evening Standard

West Ham remain in the market for new signings despite this week's signing
of Sam Byram, Slaven Bilic has confirmed. Mauro Zarate and Nikica Jelavic
are both approaching the Boleyn Ground exit door, with the former set to
join Fiorentina in the coming days. Those departures will free up space on
the wage bill, allowing West Ham to move for a new striker, with a loan move
for Nigerian striker Emmanuel Emenike or Juventus' Simone Zaza among the
options being considered at Upton Park. Bilic confirmed that he remained on
the lookout for further signings, saying today: "We are still looking around
for more players but we are not panicking, we are not desperate to do
anything, I am happy." The Hammers have already completed their first full
signing of the January window, bringing in Byram from Leeds for an
undisclosed fee. The 22-year-old right-back has been a regular in the Elland
Road first-team for the past four years and chose West Ham over Everton on
the expectation of greater playing opportunities. His new manager seemed
sufficiently enamoured with Byram to suggest that would indeed be the case.
"We delighted to have signed Sam Byram," Bilic said. "He's a great buy for
us. He's still young, he's English and he has a lot of experience. "I like
working with young, hungry players. I have been very honest with him about
what I expect, and where we think he can improve. "He's been on our radar
for quite a while and we have very high hopes and expectations for him."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kevin Nolan appointed Leyton Orient player-manager: Former West Ham
midfielder signs two-and-a-half year deal
TOM COLLOMOSSE 23 minutes ago0 comments
Evening Standard

Kevin Nolan has been appointed player-manager of Leyton Orient. The former
West Ham midfielder, who also played for Bolton and Newcastle, was due to
take training today after signing a two-and-a-half-year deal and Standard
Sport understands he is likely to be assisted by experienced coach Wally
Downes. Nolan had been training with Orient during Ian Hendon's time as
manager, but could not agree terms on a playing deal. Hendon was sacked last
weekend after the League Two club's run of only one win in eight matches.
Nolan has no management experience but will be expected to lead the club,
owned by Italian Francesco Becchetti, back towards the play-off places in
League Two. He takes charge with immediate effect, meaning his first game
will be on Saturday, when Orient travel to Wycombe. Veteran Italian coach
Franco Colomba had been expected to take charge at Brisbane Road earlier
this week, but the Os have now turned to the 33-year-old Nolan. It is
unclear what influence Nolan will have over recruitment and how he will work
with the club's new technical director, Andrea Pressenda. Pressenda held a
similar role at lower-league clubs in Italy but he is known mainly in his
home country for his work as a sports journalist on television. A statement
on the club website read: "Kevin brings with him invaluable expertise and
know how, with 17 years' experience in high level football. "A number of
strong candidates were interviewed by the Chairman, but Kevin's hunger,
desire and passion to succeed at Leyton Orient, coupled with his experience,
were key in the decision process and the Club believe they have the man to
take Leyton Orient forward and improve the Club's position. Everyone at
Leyton Orient would like to welcome Kevin to the Matchroom Stadium and look
forward to working with him."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham transfer news: Mauro Zarate set to join Fiorentina
TOM COLLOMOSSE 28 minutes ago0 comments
Evening Standard

Mauro Zarate was on Thursday on the brink of leaving West Ham to join
Fiorentina in a £1.5million deal. Sources in Italy believe the Argentine
forward, 28, was close to signing a two-and-a-half-year contract with the
Serie A club after rejecting the chance to move to Real Betis in Spain.
Standard Sport understands Zarate is willing to take a pay cut to link up
with Paulo Sousa's team, who have an outside chance of winning the domestic
title this season. Zarate has made 15 starts in the Premier League this
season, scoring three times, including in the victory at Arsenal on the
opening day of the season, and the 2-1 win over Chelsea in October. The
28-year-old knows Italian football well after spells with Inter Milan and
Lazio. He had a stint with Birmingham in 2008 and joined West Ham in the
summer of 2014, also spending two months on loan at Queens Park Rangers last
season. Zarate is expected to take the place of Giuseppe Rossi in
Fiorentina's squad. The former Manchester United forward's career has been
blighted by injury and it is believed he is close to joining Spanish club
Levante on loan for the rest of the campaign.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Byram 'a great buy for West Ham' says manager Slaven Bilic
By Chris MacRae
Last Updated: 21/01/16 11:34am
SSN

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic admits he has high hopes for the club's latest
recruit, Sam Byram, claiming he is 'a great buy' for the club. The full-back
has moved south from Leeds for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-and-a-half
year contract after rejecting overtures from Everton. Bilic said: "We're
delighted to have signed Byram. He's a great buy for us. He's still young,
he's English and he has a lot of experience. "I like working with young,
hungry players. I have been very honest with him about what I expect, and
where we think he can improve. He's been on our radar for quite a while and
we have very high hopes and expectations for him. "We are still looking
around for more players but we are not panicking, we are not desperate to do
anything, I am happy."
Bilic also backed his opposite number on Saturday, Manuel Pellegrini, but is
confident his side can complete a league double over the title chasers; West
Ham won 2-1 at the Ethiad in September. He said: "There's a lot of pressure
for any manager of a top club, it comes with the territory. I think
Pellegrini is handling it with ease. He is a very strong guy, mentally very
tough. I have a lot of respect for him." "We have beaten them already this
season, I think they are better now, but we are confident and know what we
can achieve. "Apart from Carroll, Lanzini and Sakho we are healthy, so we
are in a good position for a crucial part of the season. "Joey O'Brien is
back, he's had a lot setbacks so I am happy to see him fit. We will assess
James Tomkins today also."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll, Lanzini and Sakho to return in Feb
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 20, 2016 in News
C and H

Head of Medical and Sports Science, Stijn Vandenbroucke has given his
regular injury update to the club's website. He has revealed that Andy
Carroll, Manuel Lanzini and Diafra Sakho are all set to return to action
next month. Stijn told WHUFC.com "Injury-wise, we picked up a couple of
minor knocks at Newcastle United last weekend but we hope to recover the
players affected for the next game against Manchester City on Saturday. Andy
Carroll is making good progress after suffering a hamstring injury at
Bournemouth last week and has started running. We hope to have him available
for the manager again on schedule, four weeks after he suffered the initial
injury, by the middle of February."
"Manuel Lanzini is going well with his rehab after suffering a thigh injury
against Liverpool just after Christmas. He is recovering well and we hope to
have him back available in February
." "Finally, Diafra Sakho was involved in a minor car accident this week.
The Club doctor gave him a thorough check-up and we are pleased that he did
not suffer any new injuries in this accident. Diafra did not miss a day of
his rehab from the thigh injury he suffered in the game against West
Bromwich Albion and is on course to return in February."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons outline Byram plans
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 21, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Sam Byram will be starting his West Ham career in the Development team and
is seen as "one for next season." Slaven Bilic will stick with James Tomkins
in the right back role into the foreseeable future whilst he is making a
serious assessment of the 22 year old. ClaretandHugh was told by a senior
Hammers source last night: "In some respects it's like the Michail Antonio
situation. We have had him scouted and we know he's a fine prospect. "But we
need to see him on the training ground and take a good look at his strengths
and weaknesses so I don't think the fans will be seeing too much of him at
first team level this term. "He could be a squad member and could make the
odd appearance as substitute but it is a learning curve for him and the
manager will make sure he is developed 100 per cent."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll, Lanzini and Sakho to return in Feb
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 20, 2016 in News
C and H

Head of Medical and Sports Science, Stijn Vandenbroucke has given his
regular injury update to the club's website. He has revealed that Andy
Carroll, Manuel Lanzini and Diafra Sakho are all set to return to action
next month. Stijn told WHUFC.com "Injury-wise, we picked up a couple of
minor knocks at Newcastle United last weekend but we hope to recover the
players affected for the next game against Manchester City on Saturday.Andy
Carroll is making good progress after suffering a hamstring injury at
Bournemouth last week and has started running. We hope to have him available
for the manager again on schedule, four weeks after he suffered the initial
injury, by the middle of February." "Manuel Lanzini is going well with his
rehab after suffering a thigh injury against Liverpool just after Christmas.
He is recovering well and we hope to have him back available in February."
"Finally, Diafra Sakho was involved in a minor car accident this week. The
Club doctor gave him a thorough check-up and we are pleased that he did not
suffer any new injuries in this accident.Diafra did not miss a day of his
rehab from the thigh injury he suffered in the game against West Bromwich
Albion and is on course to return in February."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers talk on Ba return speculation
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 21, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Former Hammer Demba Ba is being regularly linked with an Irons return. The
guessing game started again after West Ham chairman David Sullivan revealed
the club are looking to sign a '20 goals a season striker' in the summer
when speaking to Sky Sports News. But there's litte chance of it happening
according to a top Irons insider who said: "He's a player we all like but he
is known to have had some knee problems which make it difficult. "He will
also be 31 in May which doesn't really fit out age profile although there's
no question he is a player who has a lot to offer."
Ba scored seven goals in 13 games for West Ham after signing from Hoffenheim
in January 2011 for £1m, but his goals couldn't keep the Hammers up that
season and we suffered relegation to the Championship at the end of the
2010/11 season. Ba's post West Ham career saw him turn out for Newcastle
United who he joined as free agent only yo sold to Chelsea for £7m. The
Blues sold him Besiktas under then manager Slaven Bilic for £8m who sold him
last year to Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua for £9m on a weekly wage reported
to be around £89,000.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic denies bid for Liverpool striker Daniel
Sturridge joking, 'I would also like to sign Lionel Messi'
Slaven Bilic compared Daniel Sturridge rumour to a move for Lionel Messi
By PHIL DUNCAN, PRESS ASSOCIATION
PUBLISHED: 12:28, 21 January 2016 | UPDATED: 12:45, 21 January 2016
MailOnline

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has denied making a move for Liverpool striker
Daniel Sturridge. With both Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho sidelined through
injury and Mauro Zarate closing in on a deal to join Fiorentina, Bilic is
keen to bolster his attacking options in the transfer window. But the
Hammers boss has dismissed speculation that Sturridge, the England striker
who has featured just six times for the Reds this season due to a string of
injuries, is poised for east London. 'That is only a rumour and there is
nothing behind it,' said Bilic when asked about the Chelsea and Manchester
City forward. 'I am not talking about who we want - Daniel Sturridge is a
big player and a big name - but that is only paper talk.' Sturridge has not
trained with the Liverpool squad in six weeks, and manager Jurgen Klopp is
reported to be growing increasingly frustrated with the situation. But when
it was put to Bilic that Sturridge, 26, may become available, the West Ham
boss replied: 'What if? I would take Lionel Messi also, but it is only an
'if' so there is nothing in it.' Bilic said Sakho, who this week was
involved in a car accident, and Carroll are both 'ahead of schedule' on
their return from injury and are expected to be available in mid-February.
But the Croat revealed he remains interested in signing another striker with
Nikica Jelavic, who scored in the 2-1 defeat at Newcastle on Saturday,
possibly leaving the club in January. 'We are not panicking,' added Bilic.
'We know that we have a couple of players that are injured. 'On the other
hand there are a couple of players that may leave the club. Maybe Zarate,
maybe Jelavic and if that happens, and it may happen, then we are going to
try and get one striker.' Bilic, whose West Ham side entertain Manchester
City in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday evening, has already been
busy in the transfer market, signing highly-rated full-back Sam Byram from
Leeds. The 22-year-old was in talks with Everton, but opted to join the
Hammers and trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Friday.
'We have been tracking him for a long time and there was not only Everton
interested in him, but a few other clubs, too', said Bilic. 'According to
the TV, he was quite close to signing for Everton, but we knew we had a good
chance and we are delighted that he came to us. 'I told him that I like
young players and I told him my opinion and which areas he can improve and
he liked it. 'I didn't promise him anything, but what he really liked is
that we had been watching him for a really long time and he realised that we
were serious and that we have big plans for him, but it is up to him to show
us in training and in games his improvement.'

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham forward Mauro Zarate ready to end Boleyn stay by accepting pay-cut
on £40,000-a-week wages to join Fiorentina
By SAMI MOKBEL FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 11:09, 21 January 2016 | UPDATED: 11:34, 21 January 2016

West Ham striker Mauro Zarate is set to complete a January switch to
Fiorentina - and is ready to accept a pay-cut to leave Upton Park. The
Italian club are in talks with the Hammers about the Argentine forward, who
has scored five goals in 21 games for Slaven Bilic's side this season. The
South American will be offered a two-and-a-half year deal worth around
£2million-per-season - a sum that represents a pay-cut on his current
£40,000-per-week wages. Zarate, 28, also has an offer from Spanish club Real
Betis, but prefers a switch to Florence.
Viola manager Paulo Sousa views Zarate as a ready-made replacement for
Giuseppe Rossi, who is set to join Levante. Zarate has endured a topsy-turvy
career at Upton Park; he was sidelined by Sam Allardyce last season
following his arrival from Velez Sarsfield and was allowed to join QPR on
loan. Bilic, however, has reintegrated the forward back into the Hammers'
first-team squad this season. Zarate has 18 months left on his Hammers
contract, but Bilic will hope his transfer will free up extra transfer funds
in order to sign another attacking player this month. Hammers joint chairman
David Sullivan talked up the possibility of the club signing a striker in
the next 10 days in a guest appearance on Sky Sports News HQ earlier this
week. The player in question is believed to be Emmanuel Emenike, who is
currently on loan at Abu Dhabi-based Al-Ain from Turkish side Fenerbahce.
Ahead of Sam Bryam's move to the Boleyn Ground, Sullivan said: 'There's a
possibility that a striker will come in on loan, with the option to buy,
within the next seven days. He's an overseas striker. 'If I told you, you
wouldn't believe it. I can't tell you which league because then you'll know
exactly who it is. We are signing from a very strange league. But he has
played in higher leagues.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's lack of depth a problem vs. Manchester City
ESPN

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic was disappointed with their loss to Newcastle,
saying his side should've had more confidence. The return of midfielder
Dimitri Payet from injury has rather masked the fact that West Ham still
have a number of key players on the treatment table. Saturday's defeat to
Newcastle at St James's Park however gave lie to the suggestion that manager
Slaven Bilic has managed to negotiate his way around the worst of the
perennial injury crisis.

Andy Carroll, Manuel Lanzini, Victor Moses and Diafra Sakho have scored 10
goals between them but, more importantly, their presence in the team has
caused opposition defenders many more problems. While it can certainly be
argued that Newcastle's aggression and determination against West Ham may
well have seen the Magpies two goals to the good regardless of the absence
of West Ham's four injured players, the quartet's loss was still keenly felt
in the second half.

When Nikica Jelavic pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 after 49 minutes,
Newcastle started to wobble. It's certainly true that the Hammers didn't
deserve to get anything from the game and, had they taken their chances, the
home fans would have seen their side four of five goals ahead at that point.
Nevertheless, that doesn't alter the fact that West Ham will inevitably
struggle without their key stars and, had Carroll been available on his old
home ground, there's reason to think the Hammers might have possibly
fashioned an unlikely point.

Club owners David Gold and David Sullivan have managed to pull the club
around since they took over from the Icelandic consortium in 2010. Alongside
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady, the Hammers have become a more professional
outfit. Investment in players has been much improved and, of course, the
move to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford could be the most significant
development since the club won the Cup Winners Cup in 1965. The Hammers
still aren't big enough to cover the loss of expensive key players, however.
The likes of Jelavic are an improvement on past season's squad players
perhaps, but they still aren't the type needed to keep the club in the top
six or seven over a long period.

There's still a feeling around the East End that West Ham would do better
taking a chance on one or two Championship strikers rather than trying to
chase marquee signings. Enner Valencia is an excellent footballer certainly,
but the £12m that the Hammers paid for the player means the club need more
from the Ecuadorian than he can probably provide in the Premier League.

Chelsea were once interested in Valencia and -- had they signed him -- it's
hard to imagine last season's champions relying on the player in the same
way the Hammers do. As he showed with his sumptuous free kick against
Bournemouth, Valencia has an abundance of skill, but West Ham really need a
player capable of providing 12 goals a season and it's difficult not to see
the World Cup star as a bit of a luxury. Perhaps in a season or three the
Hammers will be able to afford such luxury. At the moment they can't.

Even with Dimitri Payet returning, West Ham manager Slaven Bilic must still
contend with a number of key absences against Man City. West Ham will get an
early example of what a huge squad can achieve, as there's no better example
of a club with recently changing fortunes than Saturday's visitors to the
Boleyn. Manchester City are one of Europe's top sides now; but they had to
endure some torrid season's at the end of the 1990's before huge investment
turned the club around in 2008.

The Hammers produced one of the shock results of the season when they
triumphed 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium back in September. The scorers that day
were Sakho and Moses, and while the former will certainly not be fit, Moses
may well return after his 30 minute performance as a substitute at St
James's.

West Ham have shown what they are capable of against City. Manuel Pellegrini
and his men will not need reminding that they need to be careful at Upton
Park. West Ham boss Slaven Bilic may be more wary than he cares to admit
though; his team need to be tight at the back and sharp up front and the
injury list still hampers his tactics. This could be a tough game for the
home crowd.

Peter Thorne, aka Billy Blagg (@BillyBlaggEsq), is the author of a regular
column at WestHamOnline.net and the East London Guardian.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham transfer latest: Mauro Zarate agent confirms Fiorentina talks
By talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) | Thursday, January 21, 2016

The agent of West Ham striker Mauro Zarate has confirmed his client is in
talks with Fiorentina. talkSPORT told you on Wednesday about the Serie A
side's interest in the 28-year-old, who is struggling to hold down a
first-team place at Upton Park. Fiorentina are keen to sign the Argentinean
on loan, ahead of a permanent move this summer. And now Zarate's agent and
brother, Rolando, has confirmed he is trying to broker a deal during the
current transfer window. "We are in negotiations to reach an agreement with
West Ham and I am in London to find a solution for this transfer," Rolando
Zarate told Radio Bruno. "It won't be easy, but we hope to conclude the move
by the end of this week. Fiorentina are a very competitive side who always
attack and play good football. "Mauro has the right characteristics to play
for Fiorentina. This is why we are talking to West Ham, to find the best
solution for Mauro and Fiorentina. "Mauro wants to leave London and he
really likes the idea of playing for Fiorentina. "He is playing regularly
for West Ham, so they don't want to let him go, but his desire now is to
play for Fiorentina."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Deloitte Football Money League: Arsenal, West Ham, Spurs and Chelsea in Top
20 as Palace join financial elite
JAMES BENGE 8 hours ago0 comments
Evening Standard

Four London sides have been named in the Deloitte Football Money League top
20 as West Ham make the European rankings for the first time since 2006. No
city other than London has ever had three teams in the top 20; four sets a
new record to further reinforce the sense that the capital's financial
pre-eminence is being reflected on the football field. Both Arsenal and
Chelsea find themselves in the top 10 having earned over £300 million each,
with Arsene Wenger's side leapfrogging the champions largely due to the
largest matchday revenue of any club in the world.
Tottenham remain a firm fixture inside the top twenty, rising one place to
12th after a substantial 38 per cent increase in their commercial revenue.
West Ham saw a five per cent rise in their revenues to move into 20th, just
behind Inter Milan and on course for significant further revenue growth when
they move into the Olympic Stadium at the start of next season. That
includes Crystal Palace, planning to undertake an ambitious redevelopment of
Selhurst Park after investment from American duo Josh Harris and David
Blitzer, who make their debut in the lower rankings of the Money League, in
28th place after raising revenue to £99.5m.

In further proof of the financial muscle of the English game Palace find
themselves ahead of major continental names such as Napoli, ranked 30th, and
Porto, Celtic and Besiktas, all giants of their domestic games who do not
make it into the list of monied elite. For the Premier League clubs who also
happen to be in London it is a case of a double win, as editor of the report
Dan Jones explained to Standard Sport. "The Premier League is the most
valuable competition in football, being in it automatically lifts you into
the top echelon of European clubs, and London is the most-high profile city
around the globe. "If you're lucky enough to be in London it's another layer
of value to your brand. "So even for a relatively small club like Palace
their presence in the Premier League, in London brings an awful amount to
them."

The Money League paints a particularly rosy picture for Spurs and West Ham,
echoing the bright performances on the pitch that have defined both team's
season. With both clubs set to move into new grounds in the coming years,
and the Olympic Stadium offering West Ham a 54 per cent increase in
available seats, West Ham and Spurs are likely to remain firmly ensconced in
the top 20. Despite the success of London sides the gap between Europe's
biggest sides and the chasing pack has grown dramatically over the past
year, with over £30m separating 10th placed Juventus and their nearest
rivals Borussia Dortmund. And Jones doubts that either West Ham or Spurs
will be able to bridge that gap, even with their new stadia: "The top 10 is
a really big ask for any side. "Juventus are twice as big as West Ham. Even
allowing for a new TV deal, that's a heck of a gap to bridge." "For West Ham
a more realistic ambition is to consolidate and cement their place in the
top 20." The Premier League's new £8 billion TV deal, set to kick in at the
start of next season, is likely to further entrench English sides financial
dominance over the rest of Europe.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham reject chance to sign trialist despite Manchester City interest
07:10 21 January 2016
London 24
Brad Pinard

West Ham will not be signing trialist Reece Brown this month. The attacking
midfielder had been on trial with the Hammers in recent weeks and the
Birmingham Mail claims Manchester City and Bournemouth have also spoken with
the 19-year-old who is back at St Andrews. Under contract with the Blues,
Brown is now trying to break into the first team, for whom he has already
made eight league appearances. West Ham were impressed with Brown, but the
England under-20 international didn't do enough to earn a contract. A
possible Football League loan is now an option for Brown who has been tipped
to still have a successful career. West Ham have had to use their budget
sparingly this month, despite splashing out on Sam Byram from Leeds United,
which takes them over their FFP wage budget for the season.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Departed West Ham star admits move was 'out of the blue'
07:19 21 January 2016
London 24
Brad Pinard

Norwich winger Matt Jarvis admits he didn't expect to make his move from
West Ham permanent before January. The versatile winger enjoyed a positive
start to life with the Canaries before being out for over a month injured.
In that time, Norwich and West Ham came to a deal to make the move permanent
and so the former £12million man can settle down and focus on a relegation
battle with the improving Yellows. West Ham were keen to get Jarvis off of
their wage bill, with first team opportunities non-existent, and so both
clubs and the winger have benefitted.
"It was out of the blue but it was fantastic for me to sort out my future,"
he told the club's official site. "It's a great for Norwich to want to sign
me up early while I was injured, which I was more than happy to do. "It's a
great bunch of lads - I know everyone probably says that when you come to a
club, but it does help you settle in and they've really made me feel
welcome. "One of the first things I got told before I came here was that
Norwich always sell-out their season tickets and that they've got a waiting
list, which is incredible and shows the fan-base the club has got. It all
helps when it comes to matchday."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - Slaven speaks Man City

Slaven Speaks - Man City

WHUFC.com

 

Slaven Bilic has faced the media ahead of Saturday’s game against Manchester City. The Gaffer spoke at length about his new signing Sam Byram, other potential January targets and team news ahead of the visit of the Citizens.

Sam Byram first of all. Tell us what you see in him and what he’ll bring to the team?

SB: “It’s a good buy for us. He is a young player, he’s English, he’s home-grown, very young but with the experience of playing in the Championship. We are planning for the next season, and he has been on our radar for a long time. To be fair it was more of a plan for next season, but it is good to have him now.”

 

How did the deal come together, because Everton thought they were pretty close to signing him, but you moved in very quickly…

SB: “We didn’t react on Everton. We had been tracking him for a long time, and it wasn’t only Everton, there were a few other clubs who wanted him. At the end, we didn’t jump in after we heard some other clubs were interested in him. According to the television and all that he was quite close to signing for Everton, but we knew we had a good chance and we’re delighted that he came to us.”

He said he was persuaded by what you said to him – can you give us a flavour of what was said?

SB: “I told him that I like young players and I told him my opinion about him and about in which areas he can and should improve. He liked it and I didn’t promise him anything, but what he really liked is that he found out we were watching him for a long time and he realised we were serious about him and had big plans for him. It’s up to him to show us in training and in games his improvement and he wants to be a part of our big project. It was a simple talk and after he talk he decided to join us."

 

At what point might you introduce him to the first team?

SB: “I will be open and say that he was more for us for the next season, because we have Carl Jenkinson, who is on loan from Arsenal and at the start of the season they said this is the last year they will give him to us.  Then we started to look who could fill that gap for us. We have Tomkins there, we have Joey O’Brien, who is a long time injured, and we lost a few players from last season like Guy Demel so we did it [signed Byram]. He has come now and it is only a plus for now, but I can’t tell you now when he is going to play.”

About ten days left before the window closes. Are you looking for a striker still?

SB: “Yes, but not big time. We are not panicking, we have a couple of players injured still, but both should be fit early or mid-February. On the other hand there are a couple of players who may leave the Club – maybe Zarate maybe Jelavic, and if that happens we will try to get one striker.”

How are you looking for team news on Saturday?

SB: “Joey O’Brien is back. He has been through a lot of setbacks regarding his injuries and I’m glad for him that he will join us on Thursday. Hopefully he will be fit for the long term now. James Tomkins has a small injury from the game against Newcastle. He is going to train individually on Thursday and will join us in training on Friday so we will see if he is available.  All the others are good, apart from Sakho, Carroll and Lanzini. They are still out, but are recovering ahead of schedule."

 

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

 

 

Daily WHUFC News - 21st January 2016

Joint-Chairman thrilled with Byram signing
WHUFC.com

West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Sullivan is thrilled to have secured
the signing of talented full-back Sam Byram and believes he has the quality
to break into the England squad over the next few years. Byram has been
earning rave reviews playing for Leeds in the Championship and attracted
interest from a number of Premier League clubs. But the Hammers won the race
to clinch his signature on a four-and-a-half year deal and Sullivan is
confident the versatile player will be a major success with the east London
Club. Sullivan said: "He has been bought for the future and long term he
could well be an English international. "He is a utility player who can play
anywhere down the right hand side and when played in a forward position he
can score goals. He has already scored three times for Leeds this season.
"He is still young and is improving all the time. His uncle and cousins are
West Ham United season ticket holders. "We had planned to sign him in the
Summer, but we were forced to move sooner as it was clear that Everton had
agreed terms with Leeds to sign him."

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From the Terraces - Joe Difford
WHUFC.com

Fan blogger Joe Difford looks back at Saturday's defeat against Newcastle…

After eight magnificent games unbeaten, Slaven Bilic's West Ham slumped to a
defeat at St James' Park, against a Newcastle side who were desperate for a
win. A slow start allowed Ayoze Perez and Georginio Wijnaldum to score two
much needed goals and West Ham, who were playing their second away game in
four days, the other being at the opposite end of the country, slumped to a
defeat. With the absence of the injured Andy Carroll, Dimitri Payet was
forced out wide, where he struggled to make an impact, having to track back
too much rather than start counter attacks. It was a chilly afternoon in the
north of England, and Slaven's men looked frozen solid for the first two
goals, although Jonjo Shelvey's instant impact in a black and white shirt
cannot be overlooked. The pass for the second in particular was perfect,
flying over the head of Aaron Cresswell, allowing the cross to come in for
Wijnaldum to poke home with ease. Shelvey was pulling all the strings in the
opening 45, but was rather lucky to remain on the field after clashing with
Enner Valencia off the ball.
West Ham were on a rare attack, when the Ecuadorian striker dropped to the
floor, replays suggesting that the England midfielder had raised his elbow
to Valencia's face off the ball, but the officials missed the incident.
Regardless, the first half was a disappointing performance, but Bilic's
midpoint team talk much have worked wonders. The visitors flew out of the
tunnel for the second half, with Nikica Jelavic coming on and immediately
making an impact, netting his second goal of the season. It was a real
poacher's effort from the man who has struggled for game time since arriving
from Hull City, but this sort of clinical performance could be key with
Carroll and Diafra Sakho out injured for the coming weeks. Adrian denied
Aleksandar Mitrovic on three occasions, with the Spanish shot-stopper the
best player in claret and blue on the pitch (not literally, of course). We
could have snatched a point at the death, with Rob Elliot's knee denying
Cheikhou Kouyate's header in the 90th minute.
It might have been a frustrating and lacklustre loss, but you can't go
unbeaten forever, and after eight games without a loss, Saturday's result
doesn't spell the end of the season.
Newcastle have finally climbed out of the relegation zone, whilst West Ham
sit sixth, just outside the Champions League places. Next up is the visit of
Manchester City, who are on terrific form now that Sergio Aguero is back in
action, the Argentine scoring a brace at the weekend. But Victor Moses is
also expected to return and of course he scored the opening goal in our 2-1
win at the Etihad earlier in the season. Saturday's loss against Newcastle
certainly wasn't ideal, but our magnificent away record is still intact, and
we have a good enough squad to pick ourselves up and cause yet another upset
against City this weekend. 35 points in 22 games is a great return for a
side with a new manager and many new signings, and if we continue as we have
started in 2016, we could have a wonderful start to life in the Olympic
Stadium.

For more West Ham fan views or to join the conversation visit www.90min.com

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From the Treatment Room
WHUFc.com

Head of Medical and Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke with his latest
update – in association with Spire Roding Hospital...

Hello everyone,

First of all I would like to welcome Sam Byram to West Ham United. January
is always a busy time for the Medical and Sports Science Departments at
every club, but this was our first signing of the transfer window and any
time you bring a new player into the Club it is exciting. Sam underwent his
medical at Spire Roding Hospital – the Club's Official Private Hospital –
where we screened him from top to bottom. He is a young athlete and is in
good condition.

Injury-wise, we picked up a couple of minor knocks at Newcastle United last
weekend but we hope to recover the players affected for the next game
against Manchester City on Saturday.

Andy Carroll is making good progress after suffering a hamstring injury at
Bournemouth last week and has started running. We hope to have him available
for the manager again on schedule, four weeks after he suffered the initial
injury, by the middle of February.

Manuel Lanzini is going well with his rehab after suffering a thigh injury
against Liverpool just after Christmas. He is recovering well and we hope to
have him back available in February.

Finally, Diafra Sakho was involved in a minor car accident this week. The
Club doctor gave him a thorough check-up and we are pleased that he did not
suffer any new injuries in this accident. Diafra did not miss a day of his
rehab from the thigh injury he suffered in the game against West Bromwich
Albion and is on course to return in February.

Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science

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Byram - I cannot wait to see the new Stadium
WHUFc.com

West Ham United's new signing Sam Byram is already dreaming of playing in
the new Stadium next season and would love the chance to help the Hammers
qualify for the Champions League. Slaven Bilic's side are currently in the
top six and have already shown they can compete against the best teams in
the Premier League this season. Byram plans to visit the new Stadium in the
near future and says he is relishing the chance to play in front of 50,000
fans every home game. Byram said: "To play in a stadium of that size is huge
for the club and it did make a big impact on me. I cannot wait to have a
look around it. "I have heard they have already sold a lot of season-tickets
and if they can get the near full capacity it will be unbelievable. "As
players everyone is ambitious and you want to play in the best leagues you
can. The Champions League is the highest of what you can achieve, so to be
joining a club who has a chance of getting in there is brilliant. "It will
be a dream for me to play my first game for West Ham. As a child you dream
of playing in the Premier League and you watch Match of the Day, but now I
have the chance to make that possible."

Byram will already have two massive fans when the club makes a historic move
during the summer as his family are beloved West Ham fans and have already
bought their tickets at the new venue. "My Uncle and cousin have already
bought their season-tickets for the new Stadium and it makes it easier for
me knowing they are supporting me. "I asked my cousin what it was like at
West Ham and he only had good things to say so I am really looking forward
to it."

Byram reveals the chance to work with Slaven Bilic was also a big factor in
him choosing the Hammers and he is confident the West Ham United manager
will make him an even better player in the top flight. "Slaven was a big
impact on me coming to the club. He was a defender during his career so I am
sure he will be able to help me with my development. "You always want to
improve as a player so for me to work with Slaven and his backroom staff is
only going to make me better."

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View on the Signing – Sam Byram
WHUFc.com

Yorkshire Evening Post's chief football writer Phil Hay gives us the lowdown
on new recruit Sam Byram

What has been the general reaction from Leeds' fans to Sam Byram's
departure?

"Sam is held in very high regard with the United fans. As an academy
graduate, he has a special connection with the fans. He's a very talented
player, one of Leeds' best in recent years. "At the same time, they are not
too surprised to see him leave. It's been a trend for a long time that there
best players move on; James Milner, Jonny Howson, Fabien Delph and Robert
Snodgrass, and unfortunately given the position they are in, it doesn't seem
like it will change any time soon. "It was no secret that his contract was
running out so it was only a matter of time really, either now in January or
in the summer."

There was a lot of interest in Byram's signature, particularly from Everton.
Do you think he's made the right decision in coming to West Ham?

"Yes, I think it's a really good move for him. Given where West Ham are now
they won't be back in the Championship any time soon. It's obviously a great
time to join West Ham with the upcoming move to the Olympic Stadium so I
think that'll be a great help attracting new players. "With Everton, Seamus
Coleman is clearly established at right-back, one of the best in the League
so it would be hard to dislodge him. Whereas Carl Jenkinson is on loan and
James Tomkins has filled in at right-back so there's probably more chance of
first team football."

What are his key attributes? What can Hammers' fans look forward to seeing?

"He's great in the air, loves to keep it on the floor and can whip in a
great delivery. He doesn't score many but he's a surprisingly good finisher
as well." "I also think Sam will do very well under Slaven Bilic, he will
suit the style Bilic likes to play well. He's great going forward, which is
why Leeds played him as a winger, but he's certainly best at right-back."

Off the field, what's he like to work with?

"He's a great lad, he's extremely likeable. Everyone who you speak to at the
Club has a very high opinion of him. All the academy coaches say he's very
down to earth, and a joy to work with. You can tell he carries himself very
well, and media wise he's a good talker."

He's still a very young player with a lot of experience already. How much
potential does he have?

"He's a very talented player who I'm sure will do very well in the Premier
League. Fabien Delph was probably the most naturally gifted player I've seen
at Leeds in the last ten years; James Milner was also very special. Sam
works incredibly hard and is different to those two, he's got everything you
need to excel at the top level for years to come."

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Sam Byram joins West Ham from Leeds United
BBC.co.uk

West Ham have signed full-back Sam Byram from Leeds United for an
undisclosed fee. The 22-year-old had been in talks with Everton, but has
instead signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Hammers. "I'm
unbelievably proud and happy to join a club as big as this," said Essex-born
Byram, who turned down a new contract with Leeds. "I'm just looking forward
to what the future holds and hopefully I can achieve things with the team."
Byram joined the Leeds academy set-up at the age of 11 and made his
professional debut in August 2012. He leaves Elland Road after making 143
appearances and scoring 10 goals. "I spoke to the manager and he is one of
the main reasons which attracted me to West Ham," Byram said of Hammers boss
Slaven Bilic. "I think he's done unbelievably well with his team so far, so
I'm really looking forward to working with him and his staff. "My uncle and
my cousin are big West Ham fans and have bought their tickets for the new
stadium. My uncle was down here yesterday getting a shirt with my name on
the back."

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Zarate set for Serie A move
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 20th January 2016
By: Staff Writer

Mauro Zarate is poised to complete a move to Italy's Serie A later this
week, KUMB understands. The Argentine striker has become increasingly
disillusioned with life at West Ham since falling down the pecking order and
recently indicated his desire to move to a club who can guarantee him
regular first team football. And Zarate looks set to have his wish granted
within the next few days after West Ham and Fiorentina reached an agreement
regarding a permanent deal for the 28-year-old forward. Although the fee
involved remains undisclosed at present, West Ham will make a profit on a
player who was signed on a free transfer from Vélez Sarsfield in the summer
of 2014. Since then Zarate has made 29 appearances for the Hammers having
also spent four months on loan at Queens Park Rangers in the second half of
last season (2014/15).

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Jack Sullivan: My best 11 of the last 6 years!
January 19, 2016
WestHamWay.co.uk
Jack Sullivan
Bit of a different Column today ....

Ex has asked me if I could do my best 11 since I've been at the club. My
Dad bought the club almost six years ago, which I think was arguably the
biggest day of his life. It was always a dream for him to buy West Ham, he
had owned a large percentage in the past and finally in 2010, after selling
Birmingham and saying he wanted a year off, it took him less then two months
and jumped at the opportunity to own his childhood club!

Anyway I'm supposed to be telling you my best 11. I'm still not sure if
I've picked the right team, manger or formation. I hope you agree with me
but feel free to tweet me or the way's twitter with your own.

My manager so far would be Slav, someone the fans have been after for a
while and I hope Slav will be with us for a long time. At the same time,
football is an ever changing game and a result business, but what I've seen
so far is a manger that loves the game and is very passionate for it. For
me his most important quality is his honesty, which personally I find
refreshing and something we haven't alway had before…not naming names. He
has also masterminded some great games with some tactical masterclasses,
showing his real belief in the team! People may be surprised that I also
considered Grant and Big Sam, in their own way they are both very good
mangers at what they do. Grant is a lovely man and I believe is a cup
manger. If you look at his record he got Chelsea to the Champions League
final, he also got Ghana to the final of the African Cup of Nations and us
to the semi final of the cup. Big Sam has a great talent at getting points
on the board and has many strengths, but I believe with the squad I'm
picking the right man for the job is Bilic!

During the past six years I've seen goalkeepers from Boffin to Green to
Adrian. Personally I think the best goalkeeper is Adrian, some of the saves
he makes are out of this world. I also believe he's still improving on
area's of the game and the best is still to come. I also love his
personality and his passion on and off the pitch, I believe he's the only
keeper in the BPL that would do kick-ups against Liverpool or throw his
gloves on the floor and smash a pen into the corner.

My left-back can only be one person - Cresswell, hammer of the year in his
first season. I believe he has got everything of a modern full-back, he's
defensive game has really improved and he's attacking game is second to
none. He can cross and has got a hell of a shot on him given a chance. For
me he's very close to an England call-up and may be going to the Euro's if
he play's his cards right.

The centre-back position was a real hard of for me, I believe that the best
centre-backs are the ones we have now. I would personally pick Reid who has
been at the club for many years and most of my time at West Ham. Reid maybe
should have been given more of a chance the year we went down, but from then
he has really made the number 2 shirt his own and been a real beast on the
pitch. Man United this season really symbolised his time at West Ham, he
has always been the rock at the back, even in the championship days. The
second centre-half is between Pogatez, Johnson or Collins. I've picked
Collins, but this may change at the end of this season, as I've just not
seen enough of Reid and Ogbonna play together. I've picked Collins as he is
the only person I've seen stop Suarez, he may not be the prettiest defender
but he gets the job done and done very well. I believe per game there is no
defender that blocks more shots on goal. Tomkins is someone I haven't
mentioned but I also feel isn't too far away from an England call-up. I'm
not sure anymore what his best position is, as his filled in at right-back
so well.

At right-back I'm going to pick Demel, someone who could defend but also get
up the line. I remember when him, Diame and Vaz Te used to play one and two
touch football down the line, with the odd trick throw in there too. Jenko
was almost picked after a great year with us last season but has just missed
out. I hope this may change in the near future as even though I miss Demel,
I feel Tomkins or 'our mystery signing' can hopefully follow in his
footsteps.

The midfield for me is by far the hardest place to pick, as I couldn't tell
you our best midfield this season! I'm going to pick Parker, Kouyate and
Song. I'm not sure if I have picked the best midfield, as I feel players
like Diame and Noble should possibly be involved. Parker was fantastic at
West Ham but sadly moved on, he was a leader and also got stuck in! He had
a great shot on him as shown against Wigan and Chelsea. Kouyate for me is
one of the most underrated players in our team, someone who runs and runs,
tackles and can also be an attacking threat. He's 6ft 4 which makes him
even more of a monster and a real challenge for anyone to get past. For me
Song's first 6 months with us was as good as Payet's. The way he moved the
ball really got the team playing, sadly since his injury he has struggled to
find that form, but I'm sure its still in there somewhere.

My two inside forwards are Payet and Lanzini, both two new additions and
what great additions they have been for us. Payet has been real class and
is better than Zidane and Ozil. He skills are unreal and very much like
Lanzini, he almost never loses the ball. Both of their feet are lightening,
with both also having more strength than expected. I think everyone would
agree they both carry real class.

Lastly the striker… Demba Ba! It has to be, he was someone I will never
forget and someone always welcomed back at anytime. Ba has pace, power and
real quality, I can see why he ended up at Chelsea as he was a real player!

I'm pretty sure this team would be a real hard one to beat, with a bit of
everything in it, yet as I said in my tweet today the best is yet to come!!!
COYI

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ExWHUEmployee another Transfer Exclusive: Emmanuel Emenike to join
January 19, 2016
WestHamWay.co.uk
ExWHUEmployee

We can exclusively reveal that the forward that I first mentioned in my
column yesterday and DS hinted at us signing today is Emmanuel Emenike. The
Nigerian forward is 28 and currently contracted to Fenerbache where Slaven
Bilic knew him well. He has been on loan at Al Ain in Dubai but this loan
was cut short this week. Emenike has commanded a number of large transfer
fees in his career and almost averages a goal every other game. His agent
met with David Sullivan this week to iron out the terms of a loan move with
an option to buy at the end of the season. The club hope to complete the
deal by Friday if all goes to plan. This is an exciting prospect and one
who will entertain the fans!

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Sam Byram completes transfer to West Ham from Leeds United
By Jefferson Lake
Last Updated: 20/01/16 7:19pm
SSN

West Ham have completed the signing of Leeds United full-back Sam Byram on a
four-and-a-half year contract. The 22-year-old has moved for an undisclosed
fee, following several days of negotiations between the clubs. "I'm
unbelievably proud and happy to join a club as big as this," said Byram, who
will wear the No 22 shirt at Upton Park. "I'm just looking forward to what
the future holds and hopefully I can achieve things with the team going
forward. "It's a childhood dream of mine to play in the Premier League, so
to have the chance to get into a team like this, I just want to get my head
down, work hard and hopefully get a chance. "I spoke to the manager and he
is one of the main reasons which attracted me to West Ham. I think he's done
unbelievably well with his team so far, so I'm really looking forward to
working with him and his staff. "My uncle and my cousin are big West Ham
fans and have bought their tickets for the new stadium. My uncle was down
here yesterday getting a shirt with my name on the back. It's nice to have
them down here and they'll help me settle so I'm looking forward to seeing
them. "I'm also really looking forward to seeing the new stadium in person.
That was another big part in me wanting to come here. It's a massive part of
the future of the club and I can't wait to see and hopefully play in it."

Everton had been in the running to sign Byram but dropped their interest in
the 22-year-old despite agreeing a fee with Leeds, leaving West Ham in pole
position.

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Sam Byram has left Leeds for West Ham - so can he cut it in Premier League?
By Adam Bate and Charlotte Marsh
Last Updated: 20/01/16 7:28pm
SSN

Sam Byram has left Leeds for West Ham but can he cut it in the division
above? With the help of former coach Brian McDermott and most recent boss
Steve Evans, Adam Bate takes a look at his Premier League potential… Byram
signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Hammers on Wednesday after
several days of negotiations between the clubs. A switch from Yorkshire to
east London ends months of speculation over the future of the promising
full-back, whose Leeds contract was due to expire in the summer and whom
Elland Road chief Massimo Cellino had admitted he planned to sell.

But what are West Ham - who beat Everton to the full-back's signature -
likely to get for their £3.7m?
Leeds boss Evans - speaking to Sky Sports shortly before the deal was done -
gave a revealing insight into the 22-year-old's credentials on and off the
field. "Four Premier League managers have asked me about him, mostly about
his character and what he's like off the pitch," Evans says. "I couldn't
have given them more glowing references than I already have. He really is
such a fantastic young professional. "He's first in the building and he's
the last out. On days off, he comes in and he makes sure his recovery is
right. He's always with the staff stretching and being prepared for training
and when he trains, he trains with real intensity and real quality so I'm
not surprised that people want to take him."

Brian McDermott - now Reading boss - was Byram's manager for over a year and
the first of Cellino's six Leeds managers. He has nothing but praise for the
player's attitude, calling him "a terrific character" and a "really nice
lad" - but is he good enough for the Premier League?

McDermott's thoughts are obvious as soon as he begins to recollect his first
sight of Byram in action. "The first game after I was appointed was against
Sheffield Wednesday and he was playing," he tells Sky Sports. "I hadn't seen
him play live before and after about 20 minutes the ball came out of the
sky, he chested it down and played this terrific ball out wide. I turned
around to Neil Redfearn and asked, 'Who's that?!'"

Evans has similar memories of his first encounter with Byram, albeit ones
coloured by the overhanging contract situation. "When we first came in, we
found a young man who wasn't quite sure what was happening," he says. "But
we got him in and focused him and made it clear that, whatever happens, we
needed him to get back on the training ground and work hard, play hard and
get back to showing the class that he's shown in the last couple of years in
the Championship."

The response was typically swift. "It was like a duck to water," adds Evans.
"From the first minute we watched him train, me and my staff hadn't seen him
at that close quarters before and we immediately saw what a gifted young lad
he is.

"He can pick a pass, he can score a goal, he can take balls in difficult
areas. His passing with both feet is technically very good, and his
awareness of the game around him and his game management is, for such a
young age, outstanding. He is going to play in the Premier League."

Only Stuart Dallas (30) has created as many chances for Leeds this season as
Sam Byram (25). While McDermott echoes those sentiments, he feels Byram
needs to play in his best position in order to fulfil his potential.
Although he has enjoyed recent success on the right of midfield, his former
boss is adamant that his long-term future should lie within a back-four. He
wants to be a right-back and he needs to be judged as a right-back.

Brian McDermott on Sam Byram : "You've got to give him a chance because he's
still quite inexperienced," adds McDermott. "It's hard for him because he's
playing right-wing or wherever he's playing and he's a right-back. He wants
to be a right-back and he needs to be judged as a right-back because he's
not a right-winger."

Evans had repeatedly encouraged Byram to commit and, before his next move
was sealed, admitted he hoped Byram would be given sufficient game-time to
develop. "The grass isn't always greener somewhere else," Evans said. "I
think if he goes, and it is if he goes, he'll have to see a real progression
plan for himself. "I don't think it enhances him at all to go and sit on the
bench for six months. I'm not saying he's going to start on the first
Saturday after he signs but he'd be needing to see a career plan to the
first team." "He has been bought for the future and long term he could well
be an English international," said West Ham joint-chairman David Sullivan of
his new signing. How far Byram goes remains to be seen. But it's clear the
men who have managed him are convinced that this is a young player with the
temperament and the talent to make the most of whatever opportunity comes
his way.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham in loan bid for Emmanuel Emenike - Sky sources
By Paul Vinnell
Last Updated: 20/01/16 1:19pm
SSN

West Ham have made a bid to take Fenerbahce striker Emmanuel Emenike on loan
for the rest of the season, according to Sky sources. Emenike, 28, has been
playing on loan in Dubai for Al Ain, and West Ham boss Slaven Bilic knows
they player from his time in Turkey as Besiktas boss. Hammers co-owner David
Sullivan told Sky Sports News HQ on Tuesday that the club was interested in
a striker who had been playing in a "strange" league. The move for the
Nigeria international would need the agreement of Fenerbahce and Al Ain.
Sullivan told SSN HQ: "We are looking, long-term, for a 20-goal-a-season
striker. "There's a possibility that a striker will come in on loan in the
next seven days, with the option to buy him. He's an overseas striker. "If I
told you, you wouldn't believe it. I can't tell you which league because
then you'll know exactly who it is. "We are signing from a very strange
league. But he has played in higher leagues."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
BYRAM SIGNS, BUT I'M NOT SO SURE ABOUT EMENIKE
By S J Chandos 20 Jan 2016 at 14:24
WTID

BREAKING: As the above picture below demonstrates, Sam Byram is official!


I always had a feeling that the 'no incoming transfer business in January'
line coming out of the club was an exercise in dampening the expectations of
selling clubs. After all, if you are not pressurized to buy in January that
undermines the tendency to hike prices at this time of the year. In reality
it was always likely the club would adjust the squad at this time of the
year and Jenkinson's poor form, together with the injuries to our two main
strikers, made a move in the window all the more likely.

Embed from Getty Images

Of current pending moves, the acquisition of Sam Byram is potentially an
excellent piece of business. However, I am not so confident about the loan
move for Nigerian international striker, Emmanuel Emenike. Emenike has been
on loan to Abu Dhabi side, Al Ain, from Turkish club Fenerbahce. There he
has scored 9 goals in 15 matches. He has also scored 9 goals in 37
appearances for Nigeria. It is a loan deal, so the club are obviously taking
a look before committing themselves to a permanent deal. It may also provide
the club with the latitude to agree an outgoing deal for either Jelavic or
Zarate.

There were also reports yesterday evening that the club were eyeing a deal
for Reading defender Jake Cooper. Although this deal (if it has any basis in
fact) is likely to be to acquire 'one for the future.' Cooper has only made
9 starts for Reading this season, starting their last 5 fixtures. The club
may think he is a prospect that is worth a punt, but with the likes of
Hendrie, Henry, Burke and Oxford already at the club, is this likely to be a
priority? We shall see.

So, it will be interesting to see how the winter transfer business shapes up
over the next couple of weeks. The real business is likely to be transacted
in the summer, but it is good to see an excellent prospect like Byram coming
in. As for the Emenike rumour, we will just have to see what transpires?
Could it be a red herring? Could another striker target emerge out of left
field? Or could Emenike prove to be an inspired acquisition? Regardless, at
least we have the assurance of knowing that both Sakho and Carroll are
likely to be back from injury at the front end of February. At least, lets
hope so?

SJ. Chandos.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WHAT PILLS HAVE THE BRENTWOOD GAZETTE BEEN TAKING?
By Iain Dale 20 Jan 2016 at 11:06
WTID

I look at some of the transfer rumours this week and I just shake my head.
It's not just on social media that some people ought to know better, this
madness is now infecting some of the mainstream press.

Take the Brentwood Gazette, for example. In the last couple of days they
have seriously suggested that we are in for both Carlos Tevez and Daniel
Sturridge. I suspect most Hammers fans would be quite happy if either player
were to join, but these stories are made up. Manufactured. Designed to get
other people talking about the Brentwood sodding Gazette.

Having signed one player from Liverpool for close on £18 million, who is
quite injury prone, does anyone seriously believe that we'd then sign
another one? I suppose the thinking goes they could play half a season each.
But there are two other reasons the signing of Daniel Sturridge is highly
unlikely. Firstly that we haven't got that kind of money to spend, and even
if we did his wages (rumoured to be £80-100k a week) would blow our FFP
structure. Secondly, given that Liverpool aren't exactly overburdened with
goalscoring strikers, why on earth would Juergen Klopp even consider selling
him when he'd never get as good a striker for that kind of money? He's not
mad.

Embed from Getty Images

On Tevez, he made his position very clear in an interview before he returned
to Argentina that anyone thinking he would return to Upton Park needed to
think again, as he wanted to return home to Argentina to be with his family.
That was in August. Would he really change his mind within six months? We're
told that Boca Juniors are behind in paying him his wages, but even so,
think of what we'd need to pay him. At Juventus he was on £130k per week.
I'd love to see him play in Mark Noble's testimonial, but I suspect that is
the only way we'll ever seem him at Upton Park again.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham complete Sam Byram transfer as Leeds full-back agrees
four-and-a-half year deal
14:20, 20 JAN 2016 UPDATED 15:40, 20 JAN 2016
BY LIAM PRENDERVILLE
The Hammers jumped ahead of Everton in the race for the 22-year-old with the
promise of first-team football, with Byram possibly involved against Man
City
The Mirror

West Ham have completed the signing of Sam Byram from Leeds. The 22-year-old
was widely expected to join Everton but West Ham jumped ahead of them in the
race with the promise of first-team football. Byram, who could go straight
into the squad for Saturday's clash with Man City, has arrived for an
undisclosed fee - believed to be around £3.7m. He has agreed a
four-and-a-half year deal at Upton Park. "I'm unbelievably proud and happy
to join a club as big as this," said Byram, who will wear the No.22 shirt.
"It's a childhood dream of mine to play in the Premier League, so to have
the chance to get into a team like this and I just want to get my head down,
work hard and hopefully get a chance. "I'm just looking forward to what the
future holds and hopefully I can achieve things with the team going forward.
"I spoke to the manager and he is one of the main reasons which attracted me
to West Ham. I think he's done unbelievably well with his team so far, so
I'm really looking forward to working with him and his staff."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham to face Liverpool in FA Cup
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 20, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham will face Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup after they
overcame Exeter City 3-0 tonight at the second attempt after a thrilling 2-2
draw at St James' Park earlier this month.

The Hammers will travel to Anfield for their fourth round match on Saturday
30th January and BT Sport has already announced it will provide LIVE TV
coverage of the tie with kick-off set for 5:30pm. Liverpool has allocated
3,000 tickets to West Ham despite cup tie's being eligible for 15% of the
stadium capacity which should entitle us to 6,832 seats. Exeter City were
given an allocation of 4,000 seats for tonight's 3-0 defeat at Anfield which
they sold out.

The possibility of doing the treble over the Reds will be a major incentive
for Slaven Bilic's side who have seen the Merseysiders off twice this
season.

West Ham has beat Liverpool away four times in our combined history. The
first was on 28th February 1928 when the Hammers were the 3-1 victory in the
old Division one, the second away win was 4th September 1954 which resulted
2-1 to the Irons. Before this season, the last victory was 14th September
1963 which finished 2-1 to the Hammers. The latest victory was last year on
the 29th August we famously beat Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield with Noble,
Lanzini and Sakho scoring.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Why Jenkinson won't be going back!
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 20, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

One of the most regular questions of the season has been: "Can West Ham send
Carl Jenkinson back to Arsenal!" To say the Gooner has been disappointing
really doesn't do justice to the situation – you feel for the boy but let's
be honest…this season has been a disaster for him. It's been thought for a
long time that this loan is an unbreakable deal but when Liverpool and Aston
Villa cancelled the one involving Tiago Ilori it raised the question again.
As a result ClaretandHugh contacted the Premier League where we were told:
"We can't comment on individual deals but as far as we are concerned they
are generally for the season. "However, should the two clubs agree via a
clause in the contract that the deal can be brought to an end by mutual
consent that's entirely up to them."

One of our regular sources, however, made it clear that there was little
chance of Jenks returning to the Emirates as things stood. He said: "I
honestly don't know whether such a clause exists but it honestly doesn't
matter because Arsenal are never going to agree as they would be well out of
pocket. "The loan fee was £1.5 million so we would want £750,000 of that
back plus thy would be responsible for paying Jenkinson the £1 million we
agreed to pay him. It's not in their interests and it won't happen. "There
have been reports that Arsenal want him to play regular first team football
but at this stage of things I don't believe they will find a club to pay
them £1.75m to offset the expense of taking him back when they can make a
profit out of us!"

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zarate deal not cut and dried
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 20, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Mauro Zarate will only be allowed to complete his €3 million move to
Fiorentina if the Hammers complete a deal for Nigerian Emmanuel Emenike.
Widespread reports that the Argentinian is on his way from Uton Park are not
100 per cent correct as ClaretandHugh has learned within the last few
minutes that it's all dependent on signing a loan striker. Fiorentina are
claimed to have reached an agreement with West Ham regarding a permanent
switch for Zarate at around €3m, which roughly equates to £2.3m. Zarate
joined West Ham on a free transfer from Vélez Sarsfield in 2014 after buying
out his remaining contract and yesterday (Mon) West Ham Chairman David
Sullivan told Sky Sports News "Mauro wants first team football and he
realises if everyone is available then he may be a little bit down the
batting order. So it is just possible that we would let him go." However,
the club will not give Fiorentina or Zarate the nod until they know the
outcome of their negotiations with Emenike and there were some work permit
worries over the player emerging this evening. The national team of a loaned
player needs to be in the top 50 of the world ranking and currently Nigeria
sit in 66th place and that is having to be checked out as negotiations with
the player continue.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The real cost of Sullivan's 20 goals a season striker
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 20, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham's hopes of landing a 20 goals a season striker next season will be
hit by a massive wages factor. David Sullivan told Sky Sports yesterday
(Mon) in a wide ranging interview that a top striker was the main priority
this summer. But he has already been warned that such a player could easily
cost up to £130k a week in wages which with a minimum £20 million transfer
fee would see the package over four years rocket to around £50 million.
Sullivan has already informed agents of his top requirement but one – who
preferred to remain anonymous – told ClaretandHugh tonight: "It going to be
a tough call. Maybe the club has that sort of cash available – they are
certainly going to need it. Andy Carroll – £17 million – is on nearly £90k a
week – so a guaranteed 20 a season a man could cost £40k or £50k a week
more.
A lot of agents are on the look out for the club but it's certainly not
going to be an easy brief to fulfil."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Overseas on loan striker revealed
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 19, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Emmanuel Emenike has been revealed as the mysterious 'overseas' striker
which West Ham hope to sign on loan within the next seven days and not
Andre-Pierre Gignac as previously speculated.
The news was broken by ITK EXWHUEmployee on his website
www.TheWestHamWay.co.uk late on Tuesday night Ex claims "His agent met with
David Sullivan this week to iron out the terms of a loan move with an option
to buy at the end of the season. The club hope to complete the deal by
Friday if all goes to plan. " The full story can be found here The Sun have
also ran a similar story claiming that the Nigerian has been in London this
week in order to negotiate a deal. The 28-year-old joined Al Ain FC on a
season-long loan deal in the summer of 2015, but it has been cut short.
Slaven Bilic knows Emenike from his time in Turkey as Besiktas manager.
Fenerbahce are said to want at least £7million for their striker on a
permanent deal and will give West Ham to buy at the end of the season. Last
March Emenike stormed off the pitch after the striker was the victim of
alleged abuse from his own fans in Turkey. Soon after blowing a one on one
chance, Emenike was booed by his own fans, with allegations that some of the
abuse was also racist. The striker angrily removed his shirt and marched
towards the sidelines during the match against rivals Besiktas who was then
managed by Slaven Bilic.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Byram: The financial package
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 20, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Sam Byram has joined West Ham on terms similar to those offered to Aaron
Cresswell. ClaretandHugh understand the club's new right back will be
earning around £30k a week although we believe there are also staged
payments involved. Byram is set to join the club officially later today
after David Sullivan hijacked Everton's move for the Leeds player who at 22
years old has been described as having a "tremendous future." The Irons have
paid just over £3.7 million for him with half of the money being paid now to
cash-stricken Leeds with the remainder falling due at the end of the season.
ClaretandHugh was told: "It was clear we needed to move quickly for Sam
although, as explained, we would sooner have waited for a free transfer in
the summer." That may have given the player more cash than he has received
in personal terms but Byram had no problem with immediately agreeing terms.
We were told: "He's on a similar deal to the one that brought Aaron here – a
basic of around £30k plus staged payments based on appearances and the
like."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
City fans wish Boleyn sad farewell
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 20, 2016 in News
C and H

There's always been an affinity between Irons and Man City fans. Maybe it's
a mutual dislike of their Manchester neighbours or a similar history of ups
and downs.

Ahead of the weekend clash with Manuel Pellegrini's team the City fans have
been getting quite emotional about their last visit to our ground on
http://forums.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/threads/upton-park-memories.318789/

Here's a selection of the comments we found.

O I've been a few times and always enjoyed the crack with the Hammers
supporters during the match followed by a great time around Canary Wharf
afterwards.

O I cannot believe this will be our last ever visit to the Boleyn which is a
great old ground. I've been twice and always had respect for that place.

O I was there when we got relegated. The atmosphere was amazing. Those fans
gave us an ovation and were shaking our hands afterwards.

O Hope we go out with a bang. We should bt the Hammers a goodbye gift or
flag.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan praises Slav's honesty
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on January 20, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

David Sullivan has taken a little dig at football club managers by drawing
attention to the truthfulness of Slaven Bilic. The manager has drawn much
praise from the fans to is refusal to tell anything other than the truth in
interviews and made his feelings very clear on the weekend defeat against
Newcastle. And the co chairman has taken what may be interpreted as a little
side swipe at one or two of his predecessors in his latest 'From the
Boardroom piece on the official site. In an interesting observation he said:
"I agree 100 per cent with the manager that we were better in the second
half and we could have nicked a draw. It's so refreshing to have a manager
who is so honest about our performance. In reality all the teams on Saturday
who had also played away during the midweek seem to be affected. And he
added: "We know we have to better on Saturday or it will be another tough
afternoon as Manchester City are playing to their maximum at the moment.
Despite Saturday ruining my weekend, as I'm sure it did for most supporters,
in the cold light of day we are not having a bad season ! We are still in
the top six and there is still everything to play for."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Official: Byram is a hammer
Posted by Sean Whetstone on January 20, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Sam Byram is officially a Hammer. He has signed a four and a half contract
thought to be worth £30,000 per week with Leeds receiving a transfer fee
believed to be close to £3.8m. He will wear the No.22 shirt. WHUFC.com
announced this afternoon :"West Ham United are delighted to announce the
signing of highly-rated full-back Sam Byram from Leeds United." "The
Essex-born player joins the Hammers, who have fought sam3off strong
competition to capture the promising 22-year-old, on a four-and-a-half year
contract for an undisclosed fee." Byram told the club website "I'm
unbelievably proud and happy to join a Club as big as this, I'm just looking
forward to what the future holds and hopefully I can achieve things with the
team going forward. It's a childhood dream of mine to play in the Premier
League, so to have the chance to get into a team like this and I just want
to get my head down, work hard and hopefully get a chance."
"I spoke to the manager and he is one of the main reasons which attracted me
to West Ham. I think he's done unbelievably well with his team so far, so
I'm really looking sam2forward to working with him and his staff.My uncle
and my cousin are big West Ham fans and have bought their tickets for the
new Stadium. My uncle was down here yesterday getting a shirt with my name
on the back! It's nice to have them down here and they'll help me settle so
I'm looking forward to seeing them."

"I'm also really looking forward to seeing the new Stadium in person. That
was another big part in me wanting to come here. It's a massive part of the
future of the Club and I can't wait to see and hopefully play in it."

Sam was born in Thurrock Essex before moving to York as a child where he
played for the York city's Schools team before joining Leeds United at the
age of eleven in 2005.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham chief discusses deal to sign international striker
WEST HAM owner David Sullivan had revealed the club are looking to sign a
'20-goals-a-season striker'.
By JOSEPH PEARSON
PUBLISHED: 14:03, Wed, Jan 20, 2016 | UPDATED: 14:17, Wed, Jan 20, 2016
Express.co.uk

The Hammers have three names on their shortlist with two of their strikers
at the club, Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho, currently sidelined with
injuries. The Daily Mail report that Emmanuel Emenike, Alexandre Pato and
Demba Ba are all targets for West Ham. But a deal for Emenike appears to the
most likely because his agent was in London earlier this week. The
28-year-old Nigerian striker is currently on loan at Al Ain in Abu Dhabi
from Fenerbahce. But his loan could be cut short ahead of a move to the
Premier League with another loan deal to East London on the cards. Sullivan
confirmed that West Ham were lining up a loan move for a striker in the next
week. "We are looking long-term for a 20-goals-a-season striker," he told
Sky Sports. "There's a possibility that a striker will come in on loan in
the next seven days, with an option to buy. "He's an overseas striker. He
has played in higher leagues but it may not happen. When they are all fit,
we probably have too many strikers anyway.". Emineke has played for
Fenerbahce in Turkey and Spartak Moscow in Russia. His arrival at Upton
Park is likely to end their reported interest in Chelsea target Pato and Ba,
who played 12 games for the Hammers in 2011.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Byram: Why I joined West Ham over Everton
SAM BYRAM has opened up on his decision to leave boyhood club Leeds for West
Ham.
By DAVID WRIGHT
PUBLISHED: 14:21, Wed, Jan 20, 2016 | UPDATED: 14:32, Wed, Jan 20, 2016
Express.co.uk

The Hammers landed the 22-year-old for a cut-price fee of just £3.7million,
with his contract at Elland Road set to expire at the end of the season. And
the Thorp Arch academy product admits he couldn't turn down the chance to
achieve his dream of playing in the Premier League. The right-back received
another bid from top-flight rivals Everton, but he says the lure of playing
at the Olympic Stadium next season swayed his decision. His choice was
likely to have also been influenced by the fact a number of his family
members are Irons fans. "I'm unbelievably proud and happy to join a club as
big as this," Byram said. "I'm just looking forward to what the future holds
and hopefully I can achieve things with the team going forward.
"It's a childhood dream of mine to play in the Premier League, so to have
the chance to get into a team like this and I just want to get my head down,
work hard and hopefully get a chance.
"I spoke to the manager and he is one of the main reasons which attracted me
to West Ham. "I think he's done unbelievably well with his team so far, so
I'm really looking forward to working with him and his staff. "My uncle and
my cousin are big West Ham fans and have bought their tickets for the new
stadium. My uncle was down here yesterday getting a shirt with my name on
the back! "It's nice to have them down here and they'll help me settle so
I'm looking forward to seeing them. "I'm also really looking forward to
seeing the new stadium in person. That was another big part in me wanting to
come here. "It's a massive part of the future of the club and I can't wait
to see and hopefully play in it."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham transfer news: Emmanuel Emenike loan to ease striker crisis
Nigerian international expected to arrive at Upton Park after injuries to
Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll
telegraph.co.uk
By Matt Law11:07AM GMT 20 Jan 2016

West Ham United are confident of completing a loan deal for Nigerian
international Emmanuel Emenike to ease the club's striker crisis. Hammers
manager Slaven Bilic has been hit by injuries to Diafra Sakho and Andy
Carroll, leaving him with Nikica Jelavic as his only out-and-out senior
striker. Jelavic has a lucrative offer from China and West Ham had been
preparing to let the Croatian go, but now need to bring cover in. Emenike
has been on loan at Al Ain from Turkish club Fenerbahce and scored nine
goals in 15 games for the Abu Dhabi team before the temporary deal ended
this month. West Ham have already achieved success in taking a player from
Abu Dhabi, having signed midfielder Manuel Lanzini from Al Jazira in the
summer. Emenike has played 37 times for Nigeria, scoring nine goals, and has
also played for Spartak Moscow. West Ham will initially take 28-year-old
Emenike on loan until the end of the season before reassessing their options
in the summer, when Manchester City's Wilfried Bony is likely to be among
their top targets. West Ham co-owner David Sullivan confirmed that the club
are in talks with a new striker by saying: "There's a possibility that a
striker will come in on loan, with the option to buy, within the next seven
days. He's an overseas striker. "If I told you, you wouldn't believe it. I
can't tell you which league because then you'll know exactly who it is. We
are signing from a very strange league. But he has played in higher
leagues."
Hinting at the summer bid for Bony, Sullivan added: "We are looking,
long-term, for a 20-goal-a-season striker." West Ham are on the verge of
completing the signing of Sam Byram from Leeds United with the right-back,
who was also wanted by Everton, booked in to take a medical.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham close in on £7m-rated goal machine
By James Jones - Jan 20, 2016 0
westhamworld.co.uk

West Ham are closing in on a loan move for Fenerbahce striker Emmanuel
Emenike, as reported by MailOnline. The news was exclusively revealed by the
ever-reliable @ExWHUemployee on Tuesday evening and it is now being widely
reported that a deal could be completed as early as Friday. Emenike, 28, is
currently on loan at Al Ain in Abu Dhabi but it is believed that is close to
being cut short so he can secure a move to the Premier League this month.
According to @ExWHUemployee, Emenike's agent was in London in to meet with
David Sullivan this week as they attempt to thrash out a loan deal with an
option to buy in the summer. David Sullivan revealed yesterday that the club
are in the market for a 20-goal-a-season striker, and admitted talks were
happening over a loan deal with a view to buy. He exclusively told Sky
Sports: "We are looking long-term for a 20-goal-a-season striker. There's a
possibility that a striker will come in on loan in the next seven days, with
an option to buy."
And it appears the striker Sullivan was referring to could be Emenike, who
has scored 80 career goals in 183 club appearances. The link certainly makes
sense given Slaven Bilic's knowledge of the Turkish league, following his
time as manager of Besiktas. Emenike scored 16 goals in 55 league outings
for Fenerbahce before being loaned to Al Ain. The 28-year-old has also
played for MP Black Aces, Cape Town, Karabukspor and Spartak Moscow. The
former Nigerian international, who retired from international football in
October last year, is valued at £7m by transfermarkt.co.uk.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham eyeing second Championship defender raid
By James Jones - Jan 20, 2016 0
westhamworld.co.uk

West Ham are interested in signing Reading centre-back Jake Cooper, as
reporting by The Times. The Hammers are already expected to complete a deal
for Leeds United right-back Sam Byram this week, and they're now believed to
be eyeing Cooper as another young defender from England's second tier.
Cooper broke in to the Royals' first team last season and has become an
impressive feature in Brian McDermott's side ever since. It's not clear how
much Cooper would cost the Hammers but with the club supposedly getting
pretty close to their wage budget – and therefore breaching Financial Fair
Play regulations – it wouldn't be a surprise if a deal didn't materialise
until the summer, if at all. Alternatively, if West Ham are desperate enough
to secure Cooper's signature as early as possible, it would be beneficial
for both clubs to allow Cooper to return to Reading on loan for the
remainder of the campaign if a deal is completed this month. Cooper has
represented England at U18 and U19 level and has made 21 first team
appearances for Reading since his breakthrough last term. It's clear West
Ham are eager to take advantage of the talent available in the Championship,
following the success of Aaron Cresswell since he signed from Ipswich at the
beginning of last season.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Emmanuel Emenike emerges as top West Ham target along with Alexandre Pato
and former player Demba Ba
Former Nigeria international Emmanuel Emenike is on West Ham's shortlist
Demba Ba and Alexandre Pato are also being considered by the club
David Sullivan has said club are looking for a '20-goals-a-season striker'
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 01:13, 20 January 2016 | UPDATED: 01:15, 20 January 2016

West Ham are targeting a January move for former Nigeria international
Emmanuel Emenike as they continue to step up their chase for a new striker.
The agent of Emenike was in London earlier this week as the 28-year-old
remains in the frame to seal a move to the east London outfit. Emenike, who
has previously played in Europe in Russia and Turkey, has been on loan at Al
Ain in Abu Dhabi from Fenerbahce but the deal is being cut short so he can
seal a move to the Premier League. West Ham are also considering moves for
former player Demba Ba and Alexandre Pato, who is said to be keen on a move
to England, as Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll are currently on the sidelines.
Joint-chairman David Sullivan told Sky Sports on Tuesday afternoon: 'We are
looking long-term for a 20-goals-a-season striker. 'There's a possibility
that a striker will come in on loan in the next seven days, with an option
to buy. 'He's an overseas striker. He has played in higher leagues but it
may not happen. When they are all fit, we probably have too many strikers
anyway.' Fiorentina are keen on Mauro Zarate, who last played for the
Hammers on January 9. Meanwhile, West Ham are set to sign Sam Byram from
Leeds in the next few days after beating Everton to his signature.

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