Championship side Reading have signed former West Ham United and England striker Andy Carroll on a short term deal until the middle of January. 32 year old Carroll who spent six largly unproductive injury ravaged years with the Irons had been a free agent since being released by Newcastle at the end of last season.
West Ham's need to strengthen it's squad is well documented, the possible need for reinforcements being more acute due to Angelo Ogbonna's long term injury and Saïd Benrahma's six week unavailability due to his participation in the impending AFCON tournament.
It is not just social media that is awash with reports regarding Jesse Lingard's impending departure from Manchester United, following recent developments there are now genuine reasons for fans to believe that Lingard will be arriving at their club, but which one?
There has been much speculation as to whether West Ham will be splashing the cash when the January transfer window opens, the recent cash injection the club received following Daniel Kretinsky's purchase of a 27% stake has led many to believe that David Moyes will be going on a January sales shopping spree.
Without wanting to put too much of a dampener on proceedings, the money coming into the club will almost entirely be used to stabilise the club's day to day finances as well as being used to offset the huge loses sustained by the club during the worst of the Covid pandemic.
While most Hammers fans were 'pleased' Declan Rice would miss England's World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino through a non Covid related virus that he is expected to make a full recovery from in time for Hammers away Premier League game against Wolves, there is growing anxiety regarding Michail Antonio.
Since his 'resurrection' David Moyes has overseen the culling of a bloated and ageing squad, his task is not nearing completion as yet, but it is a long way down the road with few obvious contenders remaining for the old heave ho. Gone are players who didn't fit the mould, or more exactly players who weren't prepared to run, they are being replaced by young and hungry players who are desperate to give it their all, as opposed to players who were old and bloated who were disparate to all!
West Ham United's incredible David Moyes inspired rise from relegation battlers to Champions League contenders has not gone unnoticed by those NOT associated with the club, both domestically and globally. New investor and board member Daniel Kretinsky's money will help stabilise the club's finances and provide a firm base for the club to move forward, success on the pitch will however eventually HAVE to be matched by success OFF the pitch.
The soulless dome, the bowl of misery as well as the big white elephant, all of these names have been associated with the Olympic Stadium ever since West Ham United took out their 99 year tenancy nearly SIX years ago! One element that has been conspicuous by it's absence has been a sponsored NAME, quite how such an iconic structure could have remained nameless for such a long time is bewildering and is a classic example of the LDDC's chronic mismanagement of the Stadium.
There we were at the Org pondering the injury to Angelo Ogbonna and it's consequences when someone mentioned "What if Decs gets injured playing for England twice in a short space of time ahead of what is quite frankly going to be a ludicrous fixture schedule?" This is a moot point that no longer has to be faced as it has become academic, Declan Rice has been sent home from the England camp with a non-Covid 'flu related' illness.
The BBC's Gossip column is usually a decent barometer as to the state of play regarding players and their clubs, however it can also be a tapping up platform of the highest or lowest order, depending on your preference. In it's mission statement the Beeb underlines it's need for unbiased opinion NOT one that is corrupted by corporations or individuals.