Hammers go shopping in Brazil

The Lopetegui/Steidten era has started with the signing of Brazilian teenager Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras. Paying £25 million for an 18-year-old with one senior goal and one assist is undoubtedly risky (remember Savio?) and there's no guarantee he will adapt to England at such a young age, but you have to assume technical director Tim Steidten sees him as a future superstar. It's a bit puzzling that Luis plays on the right wing in Jarrod Bowen's position, though perhaps he is seen as a possible successor to Lucas Paqueta or a striking option. Whatever happens, having another Brazilian should certainly add to the entertainment value next season. Now, with Ogbonna released and Zouma available plus Paqueta in trouble with the FA, the Irons need some new defenders, a left-sided midfielder and a striker. It's going to need a big rebuild. 

The World Cup statue's staying home

Great news from last night's meeting of Newham Council. The World Cup statue's staying home. Bike from Boleyn comment: "We're so thrilled to say that today Newham Council made the decision to save our statue. Our beloved statue known to many as the 'Bobby Moore statue ', the 'Champions statue ' or the 'World Cup statue' will be staying put in the heart of the Boleyn community, where it belongs. Thank you to everyone involved in making it happen. We're so proud, grateful and can't wait to continue starting our rides at this well-loved landmark. Hip-hip-hooray! "

Will West Ham have a ground for Europa League qualifiers?

Pretty difficult trying to plan holidays with the Europa League 3rd Round Qualifier to factor in. Does anyone know where we're likely to play the home leg? There are press suggestions the Olympic Stadium won't be ready for the legs on July 28 and August 4 (the draw is only made two weeks before the games) as it takes seven days to convert the stadium from being used as an athletics stadium. Will be playing at the OS, a half-bulldozed Upton Park, Wembley, Leyton Orient or the Memorial Recreation Ground?

Antonio: workaholic winger with a touch of class

If Dimitri Payet wasn't certain to win the Hammer of the Year contest, then Michail Antonio would be making himself a prime contender. You can feel the hunger of  Antonio every time he plays; he chases back to surge into tackles and celebrates goals like they're still a novelty. 

Born in Wandsworth, he's certainly had to work for his career, starting off at Tooting and Mitcham, then signing for Reading, where he had loan spells at Toooting again, Cheltenham, Southampton and Colchester. After signing for Sheffield Wednesday, he then moved on to Nottingham Forest where he scored 16 goals in 50 appearances and became a big hit with the fans before moving to the Hammers for £7 million. 

At West Ham he didn't complain when he wasn't in the team and since breaking into the side has shown an ability to play as emergency right-back, wing back, winger and striker. But beyond the workrate and his ability in the air, there's been real skill, such as the cushioned volley against Liverpool and that mazy dribble and curled finish against Sunderland. He's still just 25 and Antionio is surely a player who can only get better.

Vaz Te signs for Charlton

Ricardo Vaz Te, who will always have a place in Hammers' folklore (and my pal Michael the Whovian's heart) for his Play-Off Final winner, has signed for Charlton until the end of the season, having been released by Turkish club Akhisar Belediyespor. His record of 19 goals in 61 games for the Hammers is pretty respectable and he scored a great goal off his knee at White Hart Lane just to wind up Spurs. Vaz Te never fully convinced as a Premier League striker, but he scored 12 in half a season during our promotion season of 2011-12. If he could repeat that for Charlton, currently 22nd in the Championship, he could prove to be an inspired signing.

Hammers to make £17m loss?

Quite a few papers picked up on David Sullivan's admission in the Newcastle programme that West Ham are set to make a loss of between £10m and £17m, depending inn our league position, following the summer's transfer deals. Though hopefully that loss might be negated by winning the Premier League, the FA Cup and League Cup, which seems very likely after several pints of Maldon Gold in the Black Lion. Sullivan also wrote that the total salaries were at the limit of the financial fair play rules and that if there is any activity in January West Ham would have to sell before they buy. 

That shouldn't be too big a problem as we now have two players for every position and the squad is looking strong with several promising youngsters coming through. The luxury item in our purchasing was probably Angelo Ogbonna at £8.5 million when WHU already had Tomkins, Reid and Collins, though he's certainly added strength to the back line. These figures would indicate we have to be prudent next season though and devote any cash we have to buying or replacing loan signings such as Jenkinson, Song, Lanzini and Moses.

Payet day for Hammers?

The Guardian reports that West Ham have offered £14 million for the Marseille striker Dimitri Payet, who has 15 caps for France. Sounds a versatile player who can play as an attacking midfielder/playmaker or winger and had the most assists (a very impressive 21) in the French league last season. Payet is 28, which means his resale value will be limited, but as a creator might well be the player we've been missing.

Fletcher move off

Seems like the Darren Fletcher move has broken down as West Ham want him on loan and United want a permanent deal according to LuisVan Gaal. Seems odd that the clubs hadn't agreed on this in the first place and there is probably more to it than this. And anything could yet happen until the window closes on Tuesday.

Gary looks like a player

There's been a lot of praise, and rightly so, for Andy Carroll since the WBA win, but the biggest revelation was the performance of Gary O'Neil. He had a decent game against Spurs, played well shielding the defence against Stoke and had his best game for the club against West Brom. I thought Noble being out would be a real loss, but O'Neil looks much more comfortable in a central midfield role. Seems like we've been playing him in the wrong position out wide. He did the simple things well against Albion, but also produced a great turn in one move and a fine dipping shot for his goal. His contract runs out in the summer and he's playing like he wants a new deal. He might be 30 in May, but O'Neil has plenty of experience at Portsmouth and Middlesbrough, doesn't complain when he's on the bench and on this form deserves a contract.

What might have been

Nasty feeling looking at Spurs v Newcastle on MOTD last night. Scott Parker starring in midfield, 16-goal Demba Ba up front for Newcastle and two successful managers that West Ham sacked in Harry Redknapp and Alan Pardew.