With the headlines focussing on the sale of West Ham’s most expensive signing to his former club for a Brazilian record fee of roundabout €41 million – news of other player comings goings and ‘possible’ signings have taken a back seat this afternoon.
Guido Rodriguez has finally departed West Ham on a permanent deal which takes his 90k a week off the wage bill. Along with Paqueta’s reported £150k a week, that is a million a month cut from the Hammers wage bill. Plenty of scope for “incomings” then, with the last week of the window winding down.
Sportboom.co.uk confirm that a ‘formal offer has gone into Sunderland for their former captain”, 24 year old Dan Neil who is out of contract in the summer:
“West Ham have made their move with a £6million bid, plus sizeable add-ons, for the former Sunderland skipper.
Our sources understand promotion-chasing Ipswich have also tabled an offer for the player, who Sunderland value closer to the £10million mark.”
Sunderland academy product Neil captained the Black Cats to Premier League promotion.
Former skipper Dan Neil would add leadership in West Ham’s midfield: and perhaps a long term Soucek successor.
However his place in the starting XI was taken by Swiss international Grant Xhaka and he has played just three times for the club this season.
Difficult negotiations ahead, since the whole world and his wife know that David Sullivan will shortly have that Paquetá first payment to play with: However much the Hammers plead poverty it is unlikely that £6 million will suffice.
A fitting Rodriguez replacement, at 24 Neil has a huge upward trajectory ahead of him if the Hammers can snare him in the last week of the window. And who knows, maybe a shrewd buy ‘just in case’ the Hammers have to fight their way out of the championship next season. Heaven forbid.
Does anyone pay more than £6m for a player who’s free to negotiate overseas in January and £0 in Summer regardless? The only negotiating power they have is whether we NEED him right now. Yes, he’d be useful but I can see him coming in the summer for zero even if we are in the championship.
Need replacement for Paquetta, young and pacy plus 2 centre backs robust warriors.
Dawson type.
Follow other teams buy for positions needed.
Only a week to go to find someone who just might have what it takes to get our back line in order and maybe save our season, and they are still screwing around wasting time looking at deals they don’t need. More evidence, if it was needed, that the club has no interest in staying in the PL, unless by accident.
Rebalancing the squad, sell central midfielders buy central midfielders, rinse and repeat.
No cover out wide no new CBs 🫨