Alex Song’s permanent switch to Upton Park is still a major priority for Slaven Bilic.
The Barcelona midfielder is currently recovering from ankle surgery and the Hammers are being kept fully up-to-date on the defensive midfielder’s progress.
But despite the pay-as-you-play talks with Joey Barton, the Irons are determined to clinch a deal for the gifted former Arsenal man.
ClaretandHugh understands that Barca have agreed to a free transfer, and that boss Bilic is ready to put a two year deal in front of Song.
The player would prefer to sign for three years, but the Hammers have made it clear to him that they are ready to sign him before the end of the present window, wait for him to fully recover and judge his progress over the rest of the season.
Should he come through then they may be ready to offer him the deal he wants further down the line.
In the meantime, Barton’s arrival on a ‘pay-as-you-play’ deal would give Bilic the added cover he needs in teh Song position – but it’s understood the arrangement is not seen as a permanent solution by any stretch of the imagination.
Now this makes more sense keep Barton in the also runs on a don’t play we won’t give you a penny deal,
Play Poyet and Obiang until Song is fit then rotate the squad,
Let Barton move on in Jan having trained for 4 months don’t pick him don’t pay him and wave when he leaves
Good deal get it done,
Great news, Song is the one for us, could I suggest that we now focus on a winger with pace, Hernandez is a good player but it is very risky to let this run until the end of the season, all other top targets will become unavailable. I would much prefer to get a deal sorted now for both Song and another class winger, lets spend 12m on a major prospect. I am not that keen on Barton primarily because of his affect on the dressing room, perhaps the press is wrong about him but I am not sure..