News that David Martin, son of Hammers legend Alvin Martin, might be signed by West Ham as back up keeper has been greeted with 'shock horror' by a certain section of fans, why? Because he currently plays for Millwall, his contract is about to expire and he is available to make the move across the City to the London Stadium on a free transfer, so why on earth could there be an issue?
According to numerous news outlets West Ham United have been offered the chance to take Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman on loan from Marseille next season, OK so the headline question might appear rhetorical because initially only a loan deal is mentioned, however it is not beyond imagination to suggest the french club want to put Strootman in the shop window and to replicate the high profile that Dimitri Payet was accorded while playing for the Irons.
Speculation is always rife at the beginning of the transfer window, and despite only being a 'mid table' Barclays Premier League side, West Ham United still manage to receive an inordinate amount of press coverage. The club has been linked with just about every player who has a pulse! So who are the real targets and who are just part of the 'smoke and mirrors' syndrome that usually occurs around season ticket renewal time?
Great things were expected from both Toni Martinez and Martin Samuelson a couple of seasons ago, both were sent out on loan by Manuel Pellegrini during his first season in charge, and both have failed to live up to their expectations spectacularly. Along with Reece Oxford and Saeed Hakserbanovic Martinez and Samuelson were supposed to be the future of the club, but it was a future built on suspect foundations.
You can always tell when there is a quiet week for the Barclays Premier League, especially at the beginning of the transfer window, writers desperate to provide column inches vie for readers by providing any news they can to fill the vacuum, some more than others never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
Most fans like a bit of a punt each season, usually when filled with the undying optimism and enthusiasm at the very start before the grim reality of life descends, here is a great example of what money you would have made by betting on West Ham throughout the season, the details about other clubs are also included.
Watch Video below for more details
Sunday's thoroughly enjoyable victory in the final fixture of this season's Barclays Premier League, against Watford away at Vicarage Road, was marred by the wrongful issuing of a red card to Hornets defender Jose Holebas. The straight red given meant that Holebas would have been unable to appear in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, fortunately the decision has been overturned, meaning the defender is clear to play.
Watford FC: Foster, Cathcart, Femenia, Holebas, Doucoure, Hughes, Kabasele, Capoue, Pereyra, Deulofeu, Deeney. Subs: Gomes, Janmaat, Mariappa, Success, Masina, Chalobah, Gray
West Ham Utd: Fabianski, Balbuena, Diop, Lanzini, Fredericks, Antonio, Noble, Masuaku, Rice, Anderson, Arnautovic. Subs: Adrian, Zabaleta, Snodgrass, Sanchez, Chicharito, Wilshere, Ogbonna
West Ham take on Watford for the closing match of this Barclays Premier League season, back in the day it would have been a celebration for both clubs to maintain their top flight status, but that was before the TV money really came in, nowadays teams like West Ham and Watford have got serious financial clout but have the advantage of being able to buy players cheaper than the 'top six' clubs.
With several high profile departures on the cards, speculation is looming that some of those scheduled for 'scrutiny' may include Jack Wilshere among others. Andy Carroll's contract runs out in a couple of weeks and of course the club will not be taking up their option to extend his contract, once bitten, twice shy, or in Big Andy's case one hundred times bitten!