For West Ham fans looking forward with a certain amount of trepidation to the curtain-raiser against Portsmouth on Saturday, the lack of signings has been the constant complaint, after losing several ‘starters’ from last season’s failed Premier League XI.
Weakened by the exits of Summerville, Fernandes, Disasi, Wilson and Traore, the recent sales of Potts and Marshall have further denuded the Hammers’ squad. And remember this was a West Ham side already weakened by the sale of their top creative talent Lucas Paquetá in the winter window.
Which means the now widely trailed and reported ‘last minute’ signings will be welcome indeed, whilst too late to affect the Carabao Cup opener on Saturday.
From the original links of well over 100 players this summer, it seems the Irons’ top targets or deals in progress are now four in number. If – and it’s by no means a ‘given’ – Koppen and Nuno can get these deals over the line, supporters will feel the Hammers will, indeed, have a decent shot at the Championship.
Defender Joel Veltman is seen as the most likely, imminent arrival, with the 34 year old free signing having already completed a medical according to reports last night.
Lined up with claims he’s already had his Hammers medical: Free signing Joel Veltman
This morning’s Troy Parrott stories would suggest he’s now Nuno’s most likely striker recruit, with claims of a ‘deal being done’ seeming unlikely but not impossible especially give the £30 million suggested price.
Winger Manor Solomon is still tipped as the most likely winger to replace Crysencio Summerville, his agent already waxing lyrical on the qualities of West Ham as a destination earlier this week.
Midfielder Arne Engels is still the top tip if the Irons can get close enough to Celtic’s £25 million asking price.
In total, probably something around £75 million in transfer fees for four signings, if we believe the reports; still a nett spend of minus eighty million pounds – and of course there’ll still be further sales ahead of the end of the transfer window as the ‘unwanted’ – Todibo, Wan Bissaka and others are moved on.
Given the financial issues left by Sullivan and Brady, still a huge investment in the Championship campaign if it does, indeed, all stick together.
Who’d have thought that in May?
Believe it when i see it
We only have 2 so far, Engels will be good in this division if we can do the deal, have concerns in the PL because of the speed of his feet but Soucek does well enough so who knows as for Parrott and Solomon same good at champs level and an open question at higher levels.
Really hope your right as wondering if they have in mind spending ‘nothing’ with the board in limbo
Bored with the club now. Its a disgrace how they are treating its fans. Whatever they do now its too little too late. Business should have been done weeks ago. Kretin (sky) is no different to cearns and sullivan. We ill end up like the post office. A national embaresment.
Let’s get real here.We are in the Championship and with some of these players we are after as soon as premier clubs come sniffing round then we’re way down the pecking order.
Even if they all sign, that squad is still not strong or good enough to get us back into the premiership I’m afraid.
Must suppose manager/coach feel able to trust players such as Battrum (if AWB leaves), Orford, Scarles, … and they can be relied upon as 1st subs/starters. Which means player development, something club needs – obvious to say, but it will be true in the future too.
More recruitment in January, when will know better how the younger players are coping, including Lamadrid. He brings a different style of play from that of academy players, so less predictable – same reason would have liked to have seen the fleet footed Bamba Dieng as a completely different option & style of play in attack
They all need dynamic coaching, Peter.
Coaching staff are our signing priority.
Completely agree Taffyhammer, because have seen very little player development on the pitch. Potts & Magassa, for example. In other comments I said how by now, I thought Magassa would be a regular starter and how Potts did not improve at all under NES.
Also thought Scarles would leave as well, but played well against Rangers, not out of position perhaps correcting some of his faults, but it seems very little. Have often said how academy players around the 1st team just seem to stagnate, when there is so much potential. Now, I hope they are pretty much forced to coach them to bring them on since low level of recruitment – that’s what I am hoping!
No signings
Absolute joke
Have the money
Have destroyed the fans faith yet again with promises that things would be different
As far as getting players in,we just don’t have the people capable of doing this
We need to go straight back up, or the chances are you will loose the fans and from being a massive club, will turn into a small, very poorly run club
So sad
Get some players in and give the fans something to look forward to
They have backed you with season ticket sales, do you need to back them with a few decent signings
More ifs, whats and maybes. We are close to bringing in a 34 year old on a free and nothing else. £30m for Parrot not happening. £25m for Engels not happening. £20m for Solomon not happening. Desasi off to CPFC. More Kretinsky inactivity on purchases whilst our energies remain firmly focused on sales. If this was under Sully’s stewardship we would be in meltdown. I’m really hoping Staveley and her cronies get a foot in the door and shake the whole thing up. Eddie Howe, investment in the squad and sell the stadium with a purpose built football arena erected nearby. Those fans who keep saying Kretinsky is the answer need to tell me what the question is because I’m just not getting it. From a distance he is at risk of dismantling our club through failure to invest and keeping us in the Championship. Perhaps a beating from Pompey will force a few to wake up and smell the coffee.
Let’s hope we get it done , sooner rather than later
Plenty of ifs and buts. Funny how we demand and get top dollar for our talent but seem unwilling to meet the demands of others. I would say that £20m for a 27 year old reserve left winger seems steep but the other 2 will prove our intent one way or another. I guess no fee negotiation is required on a free transfer so that one will go through if we can cover the wages. No doubt we will quibble about loan fees when the time comes, but I suspect that these are the deals we will mainly end up with.
It would appear that the boardroom fighting over shares has stopped players incoming.
The green light needs to be given to get these deals done.
There must be money available with the sales that have been made, so I don’t understand the issue.
If we want to go back to the Premier league and ideally as Champions, then we need to act now and get these deals done, before it is too late.
Its only over a week to go now before we kick off the league against Burnley and at the present time we have no new signings, only talk of a 34 year old defender coming in.
This is not inspiring!!!!!
Veltman’s gone through already, happened last night. A good acquisition imo and welcome experience.
Yep should be unveiled later #34
Solomons is of and Engals unlikely now
Can you clarify what you’re saying Mick.