Just how many players can West Ham be interested in?

The transfer silly season appears to be here already. According to today's media gossip West Ham are in for Marseille's midfielder Morgan Sanson, Fulham's Aleksander Mitrovic, Atalanta and Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie, the Celta Vigo pair of striker Maxi Gomez and midfielder Stanislav Lobotka (presumably good at lobs), Barcelona's Andre Gomes and Eibar midfielder Joan Jordan. Surely they can't all join? 

Though presumably Pellegrini has something planned for midfield after letting Sami Nasri go. A fit Nasri could have been a real bargain on a free, although perhaps he was asking for too much money and a younger player is coming. At least there is more money in the kitty now with the rumoured prices for Fernandes and Perez being £8m and £2m respectively.

I heard a rumour…

I know it's that time of the season, but according to the press today West Ham are about to sign Lucasz Fabianski and Alfie Mawson from Swansea City, Chris Smalling from Man United, Mario Gotze from Borussia Dortmund, Lazio's Brazilian Felipe Anderson, Jack Wilshere from Arsenal, Barcelona's Marlon Santos and Toulouse defender Issa Diop. Which would give us a hell of a squad. So in reality we'll probably end up with Australia's 38-year-old Tim Cahill if he has a half-decent World Cup…

Zaza zoom?

Numerous transfer rumours about West Ham, including the fact that we might be signing 99-year-old actress Zsa Zsa Gabor. Or perhaps striker Simone Zaza, whom the Guardian claims we want to sign from Juventus for £15 million. Sky Sports reports we're in negotiations to loan winger Gokhan Tore from Slaven Bilic's old club Besiktas. Talk Sport claims WHU are after FC Koln's French striker Anthony Modeste, presumably for a Modeste fee, while the Daily Express suggests West Ham have bid £31 million for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette. There are also persistent rumours Diafra Sakho will be going and that various clubs are sniffing around Reece Oxford. How much of this is agent talk we just don't know but it's pretty clear we'll have an upgrade on Emenike to add to the squad next season. 

Meanwhile, as we've voted for Brexit, presumably West Ham will have to do their best to exit Europe after the two qualifying Europa League ties on July 28 and August 4. We've already had practice at doing this against FC Astra, of course. Onwards and upwards…

Should they stay or should they go?

Latest transfer rumours are worrying, particularly the suggestion that Newcastle are offering £10 million for James Tomkins. Yes, he must be frustrated at being the third choice centre back behind Reid and Collins, but we can't afford to lose a player of his potential, particularly as we only have three centre backs. It's also been suggested that Carlton Cole has been advised to find another club. We should hang on to him until the summer bearing in mind his salary cut last season, his performance in the play-off final and goals against Chelsea and Everton. He's not the player he was under Zola, but with Chamakh unproven so far, Carroll injury prone and Maiga not a main striker, Carlton is surely an option we should keep.

Swap shop

So little time, so many rumours.

Spurs' rumoured swap offer of Darren Bent for Craig Bellamy seems worth considering to me. A player four years younger, worth £16 million two years ago and less injury prone and booking-prone than Bellers isn't a bad deal. Would also like Michael Johnson if we did do any deal with City. But encouraging that so far we have resisted overtures for the big four of Upson, Green, Bellers and Parker.

Sad to see Matty go, will always remember his goal against Ipswich in the play-off semi and his run making Ashton's goal in the FA Cup Final. If he hadn't taken to gambling who knows what he might have achieved...

As for Boa Morte turning down Hull because they can't match his wages, it seems typical of the modern day footballer who values money over actually getting first-team football, that is unless he feels his West Ham shirt is like a second skin.

And now someone says Newcastle have offered £4 million for Lucas Neill... which I would say take. Anything to fund our bid for Kaka...