The Irons top brass deserve to be giving themselves some hefty slaps on the back after watching Diafra Sakho start his season with four goals from four starts.
For they put a truly top class deal together when finally deciding to offer the former Metz striker a permanent deal at the club.
And after his storming start to the campaign, the financials involved are looking very good indeed.
It now seems astonishing that the deal nearly broke down when the club tried to change it from a permanent to loan deal but it’s now a very clever package from our point of view
Co-chairman David Sullivan is the man who put the deals together and he finally agreed a fee of £3.5 million with add-ons.
And ClaretandHugh has discovered exclusively from club insiders that the add ons were all based on appearance with the money only rising to £7 million after 130 games – or in around three to four seasons!
And additionally the French outfit won’t receive another penny until the player has made a minimum of 35 appearances.
After their shocking luck with Modibo Maiga and injury-stricken Andy Carroll, the board finally has an investment to bring a smile to their faces.
Hugh and last comment, could not agree more. One day some will wake up and see what a steady job Sam has done. Last seasons squad still had to rely on freebies (Taylor, cole, O’brieN, Carlton etc). If Carroll had been fit all season last year would have been a lot better, yes it was a wrong gamble, but he got, us over the line ugly. And this year when Carroll comes back, don’t tell me having a complete tested plan B is not gonna swing some games round for us. People that slag Andy for being injured are also idiots, RVP Gerard etc all got through these periods, and he gets injured giving 110%, thats where he needs a possible change…….anyway back to thread.
I think the board need huge praise post Grant for getting us here, and pulling Sam into line a little, that’s how the relationship should work.
Now he has some players and options, we can judge him on ability to take us to the OS this season. But for those who think the last three he has failed check out Wolves, Fulham, Bolton, Wigan and the other relegated teams from the last five years that has less debt than us. He has done a job, taken the club forward, and he needs to accelerate the entertainment now. That said, the occasional 1 zip in a tough game is what gets you top half……….. I hope he can switch back to churn out a couple when needed.
Get behind him, the team and the most exciting looking future I’ve known since 85/86 ans the 90’s golden generation and look how we f’d that up. Short rose colored memories some people on these forums.
The board should rightly be feeling pleased with themselves over the deal for Sakho with the form he’s kicked off his career with at West Ham, but us supporters may also have found a new idol!
When Diafra’s agent goes knocking on the door to them, I hope they treat him respectfully so that the feel good factor remains & we get him to agree to stay at the club even longer in which ONLY a silly offer will be entertained!
I’m also glad that he’s taken a bit of pressure off of Enner, because when he gets used to the british game, he will be equally devastating!