West Ham are facing competition to sign Filip Kostic from Eintracht Frankfurt, according to a new report.
The Hammers are continuing to work on a deal to sign the wing-back from the German club this summer, although they are aware that it may be an uphill battle to convince him to make the move, as he would need to give up Champions League football. 
Alfredo Pedulla, the Italian journalist, now claims that there is interest in signing Kostic from Juventus.
The player’s agent is said to have made it clear to the Italian giants that he is available for transfer and they are now considering whether or not to table a bid.
Kostic is said to be keen on a potential move to the Serie A club, as he wants to continue playing Champions League football.
The Irons are not set to give up on their pursuit and still want to sign him as they look to bolster David Moyes’ squad.
I hope this does not drag on much longer we need an alternative in case this don’t happen . . We can’t wait too long ⚒
Sounds a little bit like “German Engineering” and the recent “Lingard saga” springs to mind.
These types of forced transfers never work out in the end.
Personally, if it is going to be Max Cornet, then there is no question that he would make a MASSIVE difference to our first eleven and strengthen the left-hand side of our team.
Let’s grow naturally, where players WANT to Join this successful club and this project, instead of assembling players who don’t want to be here and would have their heads turned, simply by a gust of wind.
Couldn’t find a link to mail you with piece re the current ticketing shambles so put it below
C&H carries news on WH’s team performance during the season & on the transfer market activities in the close season
often praising & criticising as appropriate with individual match ratings.
Perhaps a review/rating of WH administration is also warranted particularly on the season ticket admin.
Below my experience so far of this years.
Late April was , I believe, the first mailing re renewals with a closing date of June 7th
No mention ,from what I remember, of NRC tickets.
I renewed 4 of the 8 of our groups tickets – 1 adult, 2 children & one senior – on 26th May.
This was done via the ticket office as I couldn’t see the club cash from resale could be used.
Again no mention of any changes to the system – though I do remember one match where they said something was being trialled
but we always printed the pdf tickets.
As an aside my guess , from attending most home matches including the various Cups is that c70% used their mobiles, 30%
with the printed pdfs. Interestingly I met quite a few people who had both & viewed it as a “belt & braces” approach.
Then on Friday 22nd July came the mail below ( Effectively 2 weeks before the first game !!)
get ready for the new way to use your Season Ticket.
After successful trials throughout last season, we’ll be using NFC Season Tickets for the 2022/23 campaign. This means you’ll get into London Stadium by tapping your phone on a reader, making it even easier and convenient to get in and watch the Hammers.
Certainly haven’t seen anything from the Club outlining how they deem the trial successful & why this will make any easier to get
into the stadium versus using the old card system or even what was done last year with the pdf.
Then we had on the same mail the relevant bit for the “luddites” like myself & 2 other in my group all over 70 who do not have
“suitable” smartphones
The Club is also conscious that a small number of Season Ticket Holders may not have access to a smartphone and we will continue to be inclusive and make sure we do everything we can to support all of our fans.
Our accessibility Season Ticket Holders who do not have access to a smartphone will be able to request a physical Stadium access card with their photograph on ahead of the 2022/23 season.
For any queries or support around stadium access contact the Ticket Office on 0333 030 1966 or email ticketoffice@westhamunited.co.uk.
Not the clearest e.g. are the “small number of STHs the same as “accessibility STHs” ??
Solution offered in the mail just whether to ring the Ticket office or send an email.
Decided on the former with some misgivings as I’ve had quite a few calls to them over the last few seasons with mixed results.
Rang Monday 25th July c3pm informed 39 in the queue & approximate waiting time of 40 mins.
Got through to an agent around 45 mins & said I had no suitable phone & was told to contact the ticket office by email.
Ditto for the same request for the 11 & 8 year old kids with no mobile phone. Response a little brusque but he then sorted another
issue re a friends WH registration.
Sent requested email & automatic reply said “we aim to respond within 5 working days” so by Mon Aug 5th.
In the interim I trawled the internet to see what was being said re WH Season ticketing.
Saw :
-one screen shot of a reply from ticketing office saying don’t email call the office !!
– one comment referring to a “print from home “ ticket was possible but had to be requested prior to each match ?
another comment saying this was for over 65’s ( no luddites below that age ? )
– one screenshot from Leicester FC saying
ST purchasers will be given option either :
– a mobile ticket (NFC pass)
– Physical ST card
Those on automatic renewal would receive mail to choose which they like from 19th May
Not having received any reply by the 5 days I called again on Mon 5th Aug c3pm & advised 97 in the queue & wait time of 80 mins.
The wait was nearer 60 mins- maybe more staff- & punctuated by a recorded message “that if I wanted to renew my ST then go online
& do it 24/7” which seemed somewhat redundant !!
Abby the agent answered & I explained , again, no suitable phone & that I had rang & emailed a week ago with no response.
After some security questions she said I could have a “print at home” tickets for the season.
I requested the same for the 2 kids & she confirmed their details. No mention of a card or having to ring each week.
Tickets would come via our confirmed emails 3 -5 days pre match. Very amicable call.
One happy bunny as problem seemed resolved & me & the 2 boys would at the Man City match.
Advise one of my fellow Luddites so he rang Tues 2nd August & after a 40 minute wait he asked for a “print at home” ticket for
the season as his mobile seemingly has no NFC functionality. Sadly he got a different answer.
Print at home was not for him as he would have to ask for it each match instead the guy mailed him a form for a card.
Link is https://www.audience.whufc.com/season-card-request-form
Extract below: plus personal details required & reams of instructions re the picture & how they wont let you take form picture to
ticket office
ACCESSIBLE SUPPORTER SEASON TICKET REQUEST FORM
Please fill in your details below to submit a request to the Ticket Office for one of a small number of Season Cards that will be available to Accessible supporters without access to a smartphone to be able to use digital tickets. All requests will be reviewed by the Ticket Office and we may contact you for further discussions before we can process a Season Card request for you.
Above form somewhat aggressive & not exactly customer/fans orientated -WH doing us a favour
So am I now back to square 1
Luddite 3 in our group is going to the Stratford ticket office to get the “real story” from the horse’s mouth – I’ll keep you posted !
CONCLUSIONS & RATING
Starting the process of the new ticketing system far far too late ( Leicester did it mid- May when the ST’s sold)
No real clarity on the options for those without suitable phone & inconsistent or no responses from the ticket office
(not the problem with the agents but with WH’s sales & ticketing executive)
Sending out a form 5 days before match which must require it to be posted back after processing suggests they cannot be there in time.
No rationale for the changes given other than ,the now dubious, making it easier & more convenient to access the stadium.
If it is cost then asking for £5 or £10 to penalise the Luddites as I for one will pay.
Is it security ? Difficult to see why as under the old card system you had the responsible person (i.e. the ST seat holder)
if any misbehaviour.
We are being asked to buy tickets for the Europa league what’s the position on that ??
Rating ;no score seems a shambles