Too many stories are leaking from West Ham at the moment. The latest, that Tim Steidten is unofficially banned from being around David Moyes and the first-team for the rest of the season, at least means that Moyes can get on with his job without having to deal with the man who could be tasked with finding his successor. It could be Moyes has decided to move on already or perhaps the board are not going to offer him a contract. But the pursuit of Julen Lepetegui, who the Guardian reported fancied Milan over Romford Market though the BBC now claim might be back in the frame, and Sporting Lisbon's Ruben Amorim, who says talks with WHU were a "mistake", has been very public. Can't the club negotiate in secret? Results against Chelsea and Luton could still see a respectable finish. Let's leave the intrigue till the last ball is kicked. And Rishi Sunak might be available by then.
Friday, May 3
Wednesday, August 2
Who is in control of transfers?
Rather a worrying piece by Jacob Steinberg in the Observer on the lack of a coherent transfer strategy. He cites tensions between David Moyes and new technical director Tim Steidten, with Moyes wanting proven PL performers and Steidten preferring younger players from Europe. Plus the input from Sullivan and Noble further confuses things. Add in Sully's tendency to underbid and West Ham have problems, with no Rice replacement signed as yet.
Mind you, to read some online comments from West Ham fans you'd think we were relegated before a ball has been kicked. If we can get James Ward-Prowse then he would be a good signing, and you can understand the club not wanting to pay over the odds to a relegated team who should be desperate to sell. My hunch is the £30m bid will be increased. There was a similar keyboard panic when we failed to sign Onana last summer and we ended up with a trophy. Let's see where the club is at the close of the window.