IT IS looking increasingly likely that the West Ham United board will get their way and avoid a mass exodus of players of 2003’s proportions. The board have steadied the ship and the £85 million incoming from Tottenham will have gone a long way to enable the club to sit more comfortably on it’s position of keeping key players.
Franculino Dju looks to be out of reach of West Ham as they adjust to Championship financial realities
That doesn’t mean there will be zero arrivals: Callum Wilson, Axel Disasi, Adama Traore and Fernandes himself will all need replacing – at the very least – before Nuno’s side does battle next month.
And striker target Franculino Dju has been on West Ham’s long term radar for several windows, as his price and stock has gradually risen.
Franculino Djú was wanted by West Ham last season
Now, according to insidefutbol.com, his Danish owners FC Midtjylland have rejected an offer from the Saudi Pro-League for the forward:
“FC Midtjylland have rejected a bid from a Saudi Pro League club for Fulham, Everton and West Ham United target Franculino Dju. The bid is believed to have been worth €25m, although discussions between the parties are said to be continuing.”
Which on the face of it suggests his sale price is headed further upwards – quite possibly beyond the levels at which a Championship-based West Ham would want to bid, even if they could convince the player to sign up for a season in the second tier.
Just a hunch but at that price – heading towards £25 million – I’d be so bold as to suggest he’ll not be ‘the one’ brought in to replace free signing Callum Wilson.
Taty, Pablo, Ajala, with Bowen as an occasional no9 or 10, just to keep opponents guessing. Do not mention other academy youngsters as not seen enough to know, but Ajala looked interesting, like Pablo, covering a lot of ground with ease, roaming, pressing and running late into the box. He’d be backup and learn, plus have an assigned coach amongst the bunch to work a few hours a week on specific skills, tactics, reading the game… and maybe Taty designated to really help with advice, watching how he plays and how he can improve – if Taty up for it of course.
obviously with a proven goal scorer such as Dju, most teams would be glad to bring him n board, but an alternative is to concentrate on getting the best out of the current frontline with an Academy prospect getting a chance to gradually up his level, unless he is like Kante (a duck to water).
I am repeating myself, sorry, but the frontline needs real work to be done by the manager/assistants – SOMEBODY has to make it gel, so they play off of each other and are free to range. In the end they seemed to be tied down with a small range of movement (Bowen hugging the touchline – Jesus) and that is obviously NES controlling – it was the antidote to free flowing, attacking football, one main asset of these types of players.
There will be a knock on from prices which whu are putting on their players.
Clubs they are looking to buy from will be following suit and will want top doller for their players.
Won’t be any bargain basement deals.