The Evening Standard reports that Ryan Fredericks will be Manuel Pellegrini's first signing next week, having agreed a four-year contract. The Fulham right-back is out of contract at Craven Cottage, despite playing in the Play-Off Final against Aston Villa, and it seems he's been tempted by a better deal at West Ham. The Fulham fans aren't too happy about this and for a brief period yesterday someone had replaced the words "professional footballer" on Ryan's Wikipedia entry and inserted something much ruder.
Looking at the evidence of the Play-Off Final, Fredericks, a former sprinter, is really pacy when going past his man. He was also lucky not be sent off for a stamp on Grealish, so clearly has a bit of Devil in him. He could be exactly what West Ham need if the injury-ravaged Sam Byram departs — someone who can challenge Zabaleta and ultimately replace him. Aged 25, Fredericks has played 106 games for Fulham, having started out as a junior at Spurs. He played on loan at Brentford, Millwall, Bristol City and Middlesbrough, so has plenty of lower league experience.
Meanwhile Sky Sports reports that the club are close to signing playmaker Javier Pastore from Paris St Germain for £17 million. The 28-year-old Argentina international lists fellow Argentine Juan Riquelme as a playing influence, which doesn't sound bad. It could be an exciting summer at West Ham.
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