The West Ham Thread

[Ugh]

Originally Posted by C

riquelme almost single handedly made villarreal a legitimate team. he fell out with the team if i remember correctly, but led them to the 1/4 finals of the CL in '05 i believe which is astonishing with a club of that size. that said, hes not a good fit for the premier league, better with serie a or in argentina.

It wasn't merely him who carried the team. They also had Senna, Forlan, Sorin etc. Small club but with heavy investment.

I think Riquelme is on his day one of the most beautiful players to watch, but there were many times when I'd watch him and he'd do nothing for the whole game. He was a very mercurial (and downright lazy) player and I just don't think the bigger clubs are prepared to take a risk on that these days.

[Mr Fab]

Nice striker Loic Remy has revealed he fancies a move to the Premier League, preferably with Arsenal, despite West Ham's reported interest.

The 23-year-old, who is under contract with the Ligue 1 club until 2012, scored 14 goals in 33 starts last term.

"I love the atmosphere and stadiums too," Remy said in L'Equipe.

"I've always loved watching the English league and I particularly like Arsenal. But for that, I still need to progress."

West Ham are also thought to be interested in Remy and have reportedly made a bid.

"There are proposals, we'll see what happens," added Remy.

Don't know much about him but someone could enlighten us about him?

[Mr Fab]

West Ham are reported to have stepped up their interest in Frederic Piquionne as they look to beat Fulham and West Beom to the Frenchman.

Piquionne, who spent last season on loan at Portsmouth, is set to leave Lyon with the French side willing to sell the striker for as little as €1million.

Piquionne impressed at Fratton Park last season with 11 goals despite their relegation from the Premier League and a number of clubs have expressed an interest in bringing him back to England.

Fulham have made a couple of offers for Piquionne, while West Ham have also seen a previous bid rejected for the player.

West Brom are understood to have tabled a bid for Piquionne earlier this week as they look to bolster their squad ahead of life back in the top flight.

In the wake of West Brom's interest in Piquionne West Ham have now come back in for the 31-year-old.

Hammers boss Avram Grant is keen to be reunited with Piquionne having worked with him at Portsmouth last season and he is hoping to win the race for the French international.

Rubbish signing if you get him.

[Nonedy]

Originally Posted by Mr Fab

Don't know much about him but someone could enlighten us about him?

Good player, quick and gets a decent amount of goals. He almost made the French world cup squad.

Lyon and Arsenal are interested in him so a move to West Ham would be out of the question.

[Mr Fab]

Brazilian side Santos have confirmed they have rejected a £12million bid from West Ham for striking starlet Neymar.

The Hammers have good contacts in South America and they have turned their attentions to the most highly-rated young forward in the region.

Real Madrid have been chasing him for over 12 months and tried but failed to finalise a deal last year, whilst Inter Milan, Manchester City and Manchester United are all well aware of the 18-year-old after tracking his progress closely.

But just like when they beat some of Europe's elite to land Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano in 2006, West Ham are looking to do the same again by signing Neymar.

They have offered an initial £12million (€15million) for the player - which has been rejected.

Santos confirmed they had turned down the bid as they also shunned a similar offer from French giants Lyon for another of their top young players - midfielder Ganso.

"We had offers of €15million for each," Santos sporting director Luiz Nunes Pedro Conceicao confirmed to the Brazilian media.

"We have not had time to formally contact either clubs, but our position is clear.

"We have not, and do not, want to open negotiations to sell either player.

"On several occasions now we have said that we will not negotiate, and this needs to be clear."

Despite the rejection, local sources claim that West Ham are already preparing to return with an offer of £20million (€25million) - which could be enough to persuade Santos.

Reports are also suggesting that West Ham are only seeing the deal as a short-term measure as they will look to move Neymar on after 12 months, with a move to Chelsea in 2011 already being mooted.

Wow.

[Mr Fab]

West Brom have confirmed they have turned down an increased offer from West Ham for midfielder Graham Dorrans.

The Midlands club, promoted back to the Premier League for the 2010/2011 season, already turned down one bid from the Hammers in April.

West Brom sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth said: "As I have stressed several times since we achieved promotion, our aim is to retain our core players and try to strengthen our squad around them.

"I want to make it clear again that Graham Dorrans is not for sale.

"Graham signed a new contract until June 2014 in January and he remains a key member of our squad."

If you get the players you want then you'll at least be a mid table team.

[Sparky]

They seem to be making bids left right and centre for anyone.

Some players decent, others not.

If they start getting some of them, they will put together a good side.

[Sparky]

Mental.

Sky Sports

Neymar's agent has confirmed that he is in talks with West Ham about a move to England.

West Ham made their ambitious for Neymar earlier this week when they lodged a bid of just over £12million.

Santos immediately responded by declaring that they had no intention of selling Neymar, who is one of the most sought after young players in the world.

And despite not agreeing terms, the player's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, has confirmed that he has already held talks with the East London outfit.

"I had a long talk with the leaders of West Ham via a video conference," Neymar told Terra Brazil.

"My obligation as agent is to pass on the information to the player's family.

"The negotiation with Santos is another case [for West Ham], and that is not for me."

Brazilian sources claim that a bid of closer to £20million could be enough to land Neymar, and they are now braced for West Ham to make an offer around that figure.

However, if the Santos board reject that offer then West Ham could bid £28.5million, which would trigger Neymar's release clause.

Reports in Brazil are also adamant that Chelsea are behind the deal and that West Ham will keep the player for 12-months before moving him on to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have previously done a similar deal with Santos, when they signed Alex, and then loaned him to PSV Eindhoven, until he qualified to play in England.

However, with the huge transfer fee attached to Neymar - he would likely be granted a permit immediately to play in England so could, if he signed for them, play for West Ham or Chelsea.

[Sparky]

Sky Sports

Portsmouth coaches Paul Groves and David Coles have quit the club to team back up with former Pompey manager Avram Grant at West Ham.

Ian Woan and Guy Whittingham will assist Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill in first-team coaching duties while a replacement for Groves is considered.

John Keeley, meanwhile, will step up from Pompey's academy to replace Coles as first-team goalkeeping coach.

Portsmouth chief executive David Lampitt said: "We are sorry to lose both Paul and David to West Ham, but understand the offer to continue working in the Premier League was difficult to refuse.

"I would personally like to thank them both for the excellent jobs they have done at the club and wish them well for the future."

On Keeley's appointment, Cotterill added: "John has worked well in the academy and is looking for a step up. We're more than happy to promote from within.

"At the moment I'm working with Guy and Ian and just want to see the dynamics of the group before appointing anybody else."

[Mr Fab]

I thought West Ham were poor?

Judging by the number of bids they have put in I guess not.

[Mr Fab]

West Ham are close to signing goalkeeper Piet Velthuizen, according to Dutch football magazine Voetbal International.

The 23-year-old Dutch international is currently at Eredivisie outfit Vitesse Arnhem, who are thought to be willing to sell as they offload players to decrease costs.

Velthuizen, who earned his only cap in a friendly against Japan in 2009, was a surprise omission from coach Bert van Marwijk's World Cup squad.

The young Vitesse Arnhem goalkeeper was overlooked in favour of more experienced FC Twente shot-stopper Sander Boschker.

More rumours.

[Mr Fab]

West Ham have tabled a new improved bid of around £5.5million for West Brom midfield playmaker Graham Dorrans, according to reports.

The Hammers have been chasing the Scotland international all summer and have already seen two offers rejected for the 23-year-old.

West Ham saw their first £4million bid rejected for Dorrans back in April and they saw an improved £4.5million offer turned down last week.

However, the Hammers are refusing to give up on the gifted midfielder - a £150,000 signing from Livingston - and are thought to have increased their offer again to a fee in the region of £5.5million.

West Brom are loathe to lose the skilful playmaker with Dorrans playing a key role in helping them win promotion to the Premier League last season

Seems to me they want him really really badly.

[Tanghe the best]

Originally Posted by Mr Fab

More rumours.

He is pretty decent it seems, would like to see how he would handle the PL.

[mejulian]

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/090720...t-barrera.html

According to the Mexican media only details are remaining and Pablo Barrera, from Pumas, is about to join West Ham.

[Scholesy18]

Looked a good player in the Wc.

Can't believe they actually went for Neymar lol. I thought City had first option on him anyways, or is that only Ganso?

[mejulian]

Originally Posted by mejulian

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/090720...t-barrera.html

According to the Mexican media only details are remaining and Pablo Barrera, from Pumas, is about to join West Ham.

Pumas just announced that the deal is done for two years with an option for a third one (on a final sale). Barrera could travel to England this weekend.

Good luck to him!


What kind of team West Ham is?

[Sparky]

Looks like they are getting Barrera, Ben-Haim and Piquionne.

[forest008]

Barrera is confirmed. £4m

[Mr Fab]

West Ham have signed Mexico winger Pablo Barrera in a £4million deal from Pumas and hope to complete two more deals in the "next few hours.

Barrera, 23, has signed a four-year contract at Upton Park after passing a medical and receiving his work permit.

West Ham now say they hope to add two further signings "within the next few hours".

Barrera made three appearances at the World Cup, all as a substitute, as Mexico made it to the last 16.

He is West Ham's second signing of the summer following the arrival of German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger.

"I am very happy to sign for West Ham United and have been really taken by the reception I have received from the players and the manager," Barrera told the club's website.

"I have had a great welcome. I knew about West Ham when I was in Mexico.

"They are a big club and I have heard about the great players they have had in the past. I have heard a lot more about the club and its traditions since I have been in London and I am very excited to be here."

Barrera added that he wanted to show off his pace to excite the Hammers faithful.

"I am very excited about the opportunity and possibilities of playing for West Ham," he said. "I will do my best. The fans can expect that I will give 100% to succeed for the team and to play better than I have every played before.

"I am very fast and can use both feet. I like the one-on-one situations and to take on my opponent and beat my rivals. I like to excite the supporters.

"People have said that I am the sort of player that the fans want to have the ball as often as possible because I can make things happen.''

Here's the story.

[Mr Fab]

West Ham are winning the race to sign coveted Nice striker Loic Remy after making an improved bid, the French club have confirmed.

The 23-year-old has attracted interest from a host of clubs throughout Europe, with Roy Hodgson's Liverpool also linked with the striker.

After having a couple of offers rebuffed, the Hammers have now reportedly agreed to pay the 13.5million euros fee for the player in just one payment, rather than in instalments which was originally proposed.

This new offer seems to have swayed the race in their favour, with Nice's general manager Patrick Governatori confirming to L'Equipe that they are very close to an agreement with the Hammers.

He said: "We received a new offer from West Ham which seems good and suits us.

"If Liverpool want him, we need clear arrangements and commitments. West Ham are very keen. And we want to sort out that case before the end of the month."

Midtable next season?

[Mr Fab]

Roma's sporting director Daniele Prade claims the club have not and will not bid for West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami.

The Serie A outfit admit to being admirers of the versatile Hammers midfielder, but insist they have other areas to address in the transfer market.

Switzerland international Behrami has been strongly linked with a move to Italy this summer, with Palermo among those to have expressed an interest.

However, West Ham have made it clear that they have no intention of selling, and Roma have now revealed that they are not preparing to test the Hammers' resolve.

"He is a strong player, we like him, but we have not made any offer to West Ham," Prade told Sky Italia.

"Our priorities are a defender and a left winger, we are okay elsewhere."

Roma continue to track Inter Milan's Nicolas Burdisso, as a potential defensive option, but admit that discussions with their Serie A rivals have reached deadlock.

"We offered 5million euros (£4.2m) to Inter for Burdisso, we cannot do any more," said Prade.

"Nicolas knows that we are doing our best, but there are limits. Next Friday I will meet again with (Inter's sporting director) Marco Branca, but there is a stalemate.

"Interest from Juventus? I don't care if there is another team in the frame. Roma helped to enhance Burdisso (during a loan spell last season) and still have one of the strongest defences, with Juan and (Philippe) Mexes."

Meanwhile, Prade has also revealed that talks regarding the sale of Brazilian forward Julio Baptista to Greek outfit Olympiakos have gone quiet.

He said: "There was strong interest 10 days ago, but since then we have not heard from anyone."

Behrami is a good hard working player who was missed by West Ham's former boss Zola because Zola loved to close down people and so did Behrami, other then that I think if he does get sold he won't be missed because they are bringing in more players who are much better then Behrami and they offer more then hard work.

[Mr Fab]

West Ham have named former Yugoslavia international Zeljko Petrovic as their new assistant and final member of Avram Grant's new backroom team.

Grant had outlined his desire to appoint Petrovic, 44, when he took over at Upton Park earlier this summer.

Petrovic will work alongside senior coach Paul Groves, first team coach Kevin Keen, goalkeeping coach David Coles and fitness expert Eamon Swift.

Grant said: "I am happy that we now have the staff set-up that I presented to the owners when I came.

"The aim is to take the team forward with professional, positive people and have a creative atmosphere.

"Zeljko Petrovic has a lot of experience and knowledge as a player and a coach.

"Paul knows my methods and did a great job for me at Portsmouth. He is one of the main reasons we went all the way to the FA Cup final with all the difficulties.

"Kevin has represented the traditions of West Ham and is also a very good coach and a positive person."

Don't know much about him, and I don't think anyone does.

[Sparky]

They knocked back a bid from Spurs for Parker.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...282925,00.html

[Sparky]

Ben Haim signed on loan until January.

[Sinate NZ]

Winston Reid, our All Whites star defender from the world cup signed for West Ham last week. Another kiwi in the prem