Having watched a considerable amount of resources get poured in to a team containing several expensive but under performing players, Hammers chief share holder David Sullivan decided a while ago that his network of 'shady' agents could access players just as easily as sacked head of recruitment Mario Husillos could.
In addition to targeting Franck Kessie, Ronaldo Vieira, Nahitan Nandez, Sander Berge, Steven Nzonzi and Joe Allen in order to beef up Hammers light weight midfield, the club are actively involved in trying to 'lure' Tomas Soucek to the London Stadium from Slavia Prague.
With five days of the transfer window remaining, West Ham United, and just about every other Barclays Premier League club, are desperate to get at least a couple of deals over the line, and despite canny Scot David Moyes saying he will only sanction deals for players that are an upgrade on what he already has at his disposal.
West Ham: Randolph, Zabaleta, Diop, Balbuena, Cresswell, Sanchez, Rice, Fornals, Lanzini, Ajeti, Haller. Subs: Martin, Ogbonna, Kemp, Ngakia, Antonio
West Brom: Bond, O'Shea, Ajayi, Hegazi, Townsend, Brunt, Barry, Phillips, Krovinovi, Edwards, Austin Subs: Bartley, Livermore, Zohore, Harper, Willock, Harib Al Habsi, Tulloch
Football agents of the world rejoice, David Sullivan is back at the helm of West Ham United transfers, cue Willy Mc Kay and Barry Silkman's dubious presence! It had to be, back in his preferred role as a wheeler dealer, but sadly lacking an Ed China, as does Mike Brewer, he is going to get 'gobbled up' without even realising it.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Pereira, Soyuncu, Evans, Chilwell, Barnes, Mendy, Tielemans, Maddison, Perez, Vardy. Subs: Ward, Justin, Morgan, Gray, Albrighton, Iheanacho, Ndidi.
West Ham: Randolph, Zabaleta, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Masuaku, Rice, Noble, Snodgrass, Lanzini, Haller. Subs: Martin, Reid, Balbuena, Sanchez, Fornals, Ajeti, Antonio.
Judging from recent transfer rumours, Hammers majority share holder and co-owner David Sullivan is well and truly 'back in place' since the departure of Mario Husillos as head of recruitment. There is nothing more David Sullivan than a loan deal for an ageing player, and hot on the heels of having Joe Allen watched with a view to signing him, 31 year old Steven Nzonzi has been added to the list!
There is a story that has been going around the Associated Press office today that Joe Allen is 'due' for a medical at West Ham ahead of a £6 Million transfer from Stoke City, but before Hammers fans panic, there is apparently more than meets the eye with this transfer speculation.
West Ham: Randolph, Cresswell, Zabaleta, Diop, Ogbonna, Noble, Rice, Fornals, Snodgrass, Lanzini, Haller. Subs: Martin, Reid, Balbuena, Cardoso, Masuaku, Ajeti, Ngakia.
Everton: Pickford, Coleman, Dige, Mina, Holgate, Davies, Delph, Bernard, Walcott, Kean, Calvert-Lewin. Subs: Stekelenburg, Baines, Schneiderlin, Sidibe, Niasse, Gibson, Gordon.
Despite their reservations, the Hammers hierarchy have sanctioned the re-signing of keeper Darren Randolph from Middlesbrough, even though as recently as yesterday morning they had decided Cardiff City's Neil Etheridge was the ideal back up to Lukasz Fabianski.
Apparently Cardiff were demanding £9 Million for their Phillipines born keeper, and they wanted the money all in one hit, as opposed to the 'HP' deal offered by the Irons. At £4 Million, Randolph is a far cheaper option, but possibly a short sighted one!