A sense of dejà vu descended when the reports started coming in linking West Ham with a move for a Bayern Munich cast off who has only been at the Bundesliga side for a year but struggled with injury and illness. When his age is factored in – he’ll be thirty by the time the window opens in June – it becomes a typical ‘old fashioned’ West Ham pursuit of an over the hill player with injury issues at an enormous price.
Ring any bells yet?
There is no doubt that Joao Palhinha was a very, very good defensive midfielder during his time at Fulham: Bayern Munich were so convinced they paid £44 million to bring him to the Bundesliga where he hasn’t set the world on fire. According to Football Fancast,, “West Ham have come knocking” for the Portugese international:
“One area in which the Hammers are looking to strengthen is central midfield, according to BILD reporter Falk, who has recently revealed that Joao Palhinha is of interest, amid doubts over the Portugal international’s Bayern Munich future.
Falk said: “Fulham are among the interested parties. They know what they have, but according to our information, West Ham has also come knocking.”
But missing over two months of the season with muscle injuries and struggling to get back into the side, Palhinha would take West Ham back to the bad old days of signing thirty year old players – with no residual value – for premium prices. Don’t they ever learn?
Moyes brought the 30 year-old Ward-Prowse to West Ham for ‘just’ the £30 million, based on what a good player he undoubtedly used to be:£40 million for another 30 year-old with just a couple of years left at the top shows that the Hammers don’t seem to learn from their mistakes.
Loan, definitely – with an option, maybe – but forty million quid-plus?
Considering Edson Alvarez was reported today as being a likely sale at a knockdown £10 million – (westhamzone) – surely not. Someone’s having a laugh. Most certainly not me.
Same shit different day , I hope it’s not true
Of course it’s not.
Sometimes C&H write some thought provoking and interesting articles and sometimes it’s just banal clickbait.This is the latter.
Very easy to get wound up by the current plight at the club but we need to keep things into perspective. A few weeks ago many including me would have said that Fullkrug was a monumental waste of money but now after a towering header, some dazzling footwork and a few sharp words many of the same are praying he will still be with us next season. I have been puzzled by a few Potter decisions but we are still to see what the recruitment moves will be from the new team and I’m sure we won’t just be after a bunch of 30 year olds. Sometimes you’ve got to take a deep breath and keep the faith.
Ah Timbo, what are you doing??
Given reasonable, mature and valid perspectives on here, when it’s ill-considered ‘hot-take’ reactions that this space is for.
Potter is still working out who he wants for his squad, trialling who works well and where, and who doesn’t fit. We may be puzzled, he may be too, but as you say, give him some time to work it out.
Ward-Prowse is 30 now but he was 28 when he signed for us.
NO more broken old donkeys .
We are the worst at buisness 90% of the time we sell at a big loss and pay ridiculous ammount for average players and lowball bids for QAULITY players we need …for the we tried bit 😊..been like it for years ..they are absolutely mugs at transfer buisness…just look at Fergeuson….payed Brighton to bring him here unfit..and then use us and our facilities…hardly played and send him back nice and fit to Brighton to sell or play for them ..I mean am I the only one seeing how thick that is …?
If we buy him now the club must be mad
Get Potter out. Michael Carrick’s out of contract in June. He has a huge West Ham history and I am convinced that he would fight for the club like no other Manager out there. Just go and get him.
Get Carrick out boooooo, just starting early
I humbly disagree.
Are you seriously paying attention to the West Ham Moan as your source of info, Martin?
Surely Claret and Hugh is above such click baitets!
Clickbaits quoting other clickbaits. You couldn’t make it up…oh actually that’s exactly what they do.