Whilst the UK transfer window closes, the transfer activity hasn't exactly finished yet. Players can be transferred to Europe from the UK until the 2nd of September, in addition players who are out of contract with their clubs can be signed both in Europe and the UK at anytime, before during or after the start of the Barclays Premier League, so in essence the transfer window hasn't (sic) slammed shut!
It was perhaps inevitable following the appointment of Slaven Bilic as West Bromwich Albion's new manager, that the Baggies would be 'linked' with loan deals involving players from West Ham United. So it comes as no shock to see Bilic wants to sign young Hammers Academy centre back Ajobola Alese on loan as he looks to put the finishing touches to his squad.
Having completed the signing of Portuguese centre back Goncalo Cardoso, who passed his medical late last night and is expected to be announced officially today, Hammers are trying to tidy up their last bit of business of this transfer window by attempting to sign Basel's 22 year old Swiss International forward Albian Ajeti who would bcome the club's sixth and final signing of the summer.
West Ham fans have always loved a maverick, heavens knows the club has been 'blessed' with no end of 'special' players who have donned the Claret and Blue, from the 'Mad Monk' through to the 'Terminator' fans have always adopted players who give 100%, and new record signing Sebastian Haller has all the attributes required, and then some!
West Ham Utd: Roberto, Fredericks, Balbuena, Diop, Cresswell, Rice, Wilshere, Anderson, Fornals, Lanzini, Haller. Subs: Martin, Johnson, Sanchez, Masuaku, Diangana, Snodgrass, Cullen, Yarmolenko, Antonio, Hernandez.
Athletic Bilbao:. Herrerín . Capa . Núñez . Yeray . Yuri B. . Dani García Unai Lópe Muniain . Raúl García . Córdoba Williams .Subs: Simón . San José . Beñat . Larrazabal . De Marcos . Ibai . Aduriz . Hodei . Vivian . Sancet
With only 8 days remaining before the transfer window 'slams shut', it never apparently just closes, clubs are jostling to beg borrow buy or steal the players they want, while at the same time off load the players they don't want.
Official site and it's links in meltdown, this link actually works, but the commentary is by Brazilians who insist on calling Roberto Fabianski!
http://www.hesgoal.com/news/50539/Hertha_Berlin_vs_West_Ham_United.html
Well, it is a 'friendly' isn't it? Hammers penultimate friendly ahead of the beginning of the Barclays Premier League against Hertha Berlin might well be 'the last chance sallon' for certain peripheral players currently at West Ham United.
Having released so many players during their 'cull' at West Ham, Manuel Pellegrini and Mario Husillos set about recruiting players to take the club to that elusive 'next' level. The signings of Pablo Fornals and Sebastian Haller for a combined £69 Million showed real intent, unfortunately their purchase was a real transfer budget buster! It was already common knowledge that Hammers had a measly £35 Million net in the kitty so player sales and loans were going to be the only options.
Yesterday's friendly 1-0 victory against Fulham played at Craven Cottage should have been a 'football festival of fun', indeed the West Ham players will be happy with their performances and by how many Hammers fans turned out to see their team. The balmy atmosphere of early on in the week had dissipated and was replaced with good old British thunderstorms and the occasional torrential downpour, never the less there were officially just over 2,500 Hammers fans in attendance, unofficially the figure was more like 4,000 given the fact that tickets were available on the door.