Grady Diangana leaves West Ham
West Ham have officially confirmed that Grady Diangana has completed a permanent transfer to West Bromwich Albion for a transfer that Claret and Hugh has been told is £18m plus a 20% sell-on clause.
The 22-year-old winger, who spent last season on loan in the Championship at West Brom, departs after making a total of 21 first-team appearances for the Hammers since progressing from the Club’s Academy.
Grady Diangana leaves West Ham having made six Premier League starts following his senior debut in 2018/19, before heading to The Hawthorns on a season-long loan deal in August 2019 having found himself in competition with the likes of Felipe Anderson, Michail Antonio, Pablo Fornals, Robert Snodgrass and Andriy Yarmolenko for a wide attacking position, with Jarrod Bowen added to that list in January this year.
His departure makes him one of the most expensive graduates of the Irons’ academy, with his deal totaling the same price as Rio Ferdinand’s exit to Leeds United back in 2000.
The club have released a statement on WHUFC.com saying: “The decision to sell Grady has been made reluctantly but – ultimately – in the best interests of the Club and with the aim to strengthen the squad in different areas at this time.
“The money received for Grady will be reinvested entirely in the team, in line with the manager’s targets. We believe that this will give us the best possible chance of ensuring we have a balanced squad to compete in the Premier League and capable of reaching our objectives and ambitions this season.
“Everyone at West Ham United would like to thank Grady for his service and commitment to the Club, and wish him all the very best in his future career.”
Can’t help but think this is a poor move by the the club.
Poor recruitment policy under the previous management, expensive players on huge wages and long contracts who have not been what we hoped.
I’d have taken a hungry youngster, over a comfortable older pro.
Understand that we’re oversubscribed in midfield, but this’ll come back and bite us I fear.
Hopefully we have a buyback clause?
I was recently scolded by a so-called supporter for my feelings about this sale. There are some people who think they have a monopoly on common-sense and righteousness. But there are many like myself who are outraged by this sale, and for so many reasons.
This ISN’T some part-time hobby of mine, West Ham IS and has been my life for almost as long as I can remember. West Han has been a lifetime “Investment” for me as it has been for so many of our supporters. But this is a transfer that many of us cannot understand. For those whose opinions differ, I wish them well and they are entitled to their opinions, as I am to mine.
Like so much in our very recent history, our business as a club has been haphazard at best.
Now we have the money, and clubs are aware of the “Cashflow” problems that this club has been having. My question is simple…… HOW are we going to spend this money, and get everyone back on-side???
Grady, I’m truly gutted because we have lost another of our very rare Ex-Academy stars with a massive future ahead of him, simply because he was the only saleable player at this point in time.
Good luck Grady, show us what we lost.
The cost of overextending the club’s finances by pandering to the demands of fans hoping we can buy our way to the top. Diang would not have had much play time and I wish him well..
Our club-record signing (who has been largely isolated up front) says that he’s excited to play with Grady Diangana, because they were linking up well.
Obvious next step: sell Grady Diangana.
There is a lot of talk at the moment of how Claret and Hugh is just an outlet for the owners propaganda. After 2 of our most promising young players leaving in the last few months seemingly causing a meltdown on social media. And now even our captain showing his anger. There doesn’t seem to be much negative comment coming from this site
How about a for a vote so the fans can show what they think of how the club is being run and the decisions being taken.
Iron Born: We are becoming more and more careful on polls because we are even accused of running them on behalf of the board by some which is total nonsense. I am avoiding commenting more and more because many people are only interested in reading what they wanna hear. The accusations are nonsense. We are entirely independent but like many many papers and media outlets have board contacts. Our view is that we support all aspects of the club but respect all views. However, those that are presented in vulgar and abusive ways are binned. We don’t join possees – we are a news gathering operation and attempt to maintain sensible and civil relations with all.