There are two ways to see West Ham‘s transfer business right now, in this mid-August, preseason panic stations atmosphere where suddenly every decent player bar Jarrod Bowen is being ‘linked’ with a move away – and the club have one modest-injury prone winger captured. Claret and Hugh’s earlier article is entirely justified in voicing real fear felt by many supporters , no doubt, that this is the real exodus showing itself and unto 17 departures will be complete before the end of the window.
That would be using ‘past performance’ by the club to predict what will happen in the next three weeks. Entirely understandable. How many transfer windows have we been sold a pup and a promise along with the lame excuse that that ‘we tried’?
However. Just for a second, consider an optimistic, alternative view of an alternative narrative: It could equally be argued that taking a profit of 100% on El Hadji Malick Diouf can only be seen as good business.
It is in how West Ham spend the money that their fans will judge them and how their promotion campaign gets affected that will show whether it hastens the club’s demise or sparks its rebirth.
It is HOW the club uses Diouf’s profit (from a rumoured sale) that will determine their fortunes this year – and their fans’ continued buy-in.
For example. If the club bring in Troy Parrott and Arne Engels, plus a couple of other budget signings, then one could say that is money well spent.
It is becoming evident that Engles will be at Celtic until their Champions League playoffs are decided (celtsarehere.com) which means the Hammers will have to wait until the last days of the window to complete that midfielder signing:
“Arne Engels remains West Ham’s priority signing, but Celtic are determined to keep hold of the midfielder until after their Champions League play-off tie.”
If true, Nuno could get his new midfielder before 2nd September.
I already wrote the headline:”£25 million from the Potts and Diouf money funds a decent young player’s acquisition”
Good business? I’ll let you know come May next year.
However, banking another £40 million and then filling the squad with Jamie Vardy-esque freebies and cast – offs and not investing cash from the sale of Diouf, or any other threatened sale, and fans will have every right to point the finger at Kretinsky and claim they were sold an illusion.
Just gonna have to hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and see where the club is come 2nd September.
For once it might turn out just fine, West Ham fans. You read it here first.
i think you’ve defo got a point Martin , and i defo think we need to have a means to an end , may also be about location location location , we need a September squad that can get us to the top-ish of the table at January then we may look a far more attractive prospect to players who are not getting the playing time at their current clubs , and possibly get a couple of additions to push on for the rest of the season , but roll-on the 2nd September x
Okay, I’ll be the one who says it: when will Troy Parrot fly in for a medical?
We now know that the bulk of the transfer funds from the sales of Fernandes and Summerville is earmarked for historical debt and relegation costs. However, if the monies from subsequent sales, possibly Diouf and Magassa, is the difference between buying better quality younger players – Engels and Parrott and such like – or not, then it would be worth it. However, as you say, it would be unacceptable for the money not to be spent on improving and giving better balance to the team.
Does that mean IF Celtic qualify for the Champions league, he won’t be joining WHU ?
Who’s the backup plan?
Engels will go whether Celtic qualify or not, although we will try to keep him for another season or till January, and he was worth 25m in January (to Notts Forest) so we will probably hold out for a good price.
Not sure why you are so quick to start blaming Kretinsky…..what would you do in his situation? He has no idea if he has any power at all in 2 months time….so why should he invest for the future. Sullivan is main shareholder and shows no sign of selling (at Championship valuation) – Gold could sell her share to Stavely….who, in turn, is no doubt tapping up other minority shareholders. Whose your money on for shareholder stakes come October? All of which means the Club is in complete dissarray. My beloved Club gives me more grief than family!!!
Last week we’re happy that after our big sales we’d spend some on Parrot and Engels now we’re supposed to be happy spending that ONLY if we sell Diouf first, and who is replacing Diouf, if the aim is to get back first season then he’s exactly the kind of player we should be keeping hold off