Talks are at an advanced stage between West Ham United and Inter Milan for the loan signing of Joao Mario. The Portuguese international has been linked with a move to Manchester United in the past, but is apparently not that keen on moving to the London Stadium. Since his £40 Million transfer from Sporting Lisbon 'Super Mario' has not had the game time that such a high transfer fee would suggest, he is currently out of favour with Inter manager Luciano Spalletti and has only made three starts and 15 appearances this season.

Frank Trimboli who is the managing director of Base Soccer Agency Ltd and a Registered Intermediary, is also Jack Wilshire's agent and he is not above planting rumours with the press, but his voice carries a lot of weight and after flirtations with Bournemouth and Crystal Palace he has put the word out that West Ham United might well be prepared to do business with his client.

West Ham United: Hart (c), Byram, Burke, Ogbonna, Oxford, Masuaku, Cullen, Obiang, Lanzini, Ayew, Martinez. Subs: Adrian, Zabaleta, Arnoutovic, Noble, Hakserbanovic, Samuelsen, Makasi
Shrewsbury Town: Henderson, Payne, Sadler, Nsiala, Beckles, Ogogo, Whalley, Nolan, C. Morris, Godfrey, Rodman. Subs: MacGillivray, Lowe, Dodds, Gnahoua, John-Lewis, B. Morris, Bolton

It is generally considered that there are few if any good deals available in the January transfer window, especially if you are the club looking to buy! West Ham United's activities during last January's window are a prime example, Robert Snodgrass and Jose Fonte arrived costing £20 Million and on combined wages of £165,000 per week, their signings were disastrous and a complete waste of valuable funds.
Andy Carroll To Chelsea?

Manuel Lanzini scored a brace of goals as he and 'Elbows' Arnoutovic, ably assisted by Hammers' captain Mark Noble, ran riot during the 4 - 1 victory away to fellow relegation strugglers Huddersfield Town. During the BBC's football focus broadcast from the John Smith's Stadium earlier in the day the Huddersfield players said that the defeat they suffered at the London Stadium earlier in the season was one of their worst performances and that West Ham would be shocked at how different Huddersfield would play when at their own ground, well they certainly were different!

Huddersfield Town: Lossl, Smith, Malone, Schindler, Zanka, Hogg, Mooy, Van La Parra, Ince, Lolley, Depoitre. Subs: Coleman, Kongolo, Sabiri, Williams, Pritchard, Mounie, Hefele.
West Ham United: Adrian, Cresswell, Zabaleta, Ogbonna, Collins, Masuaku, Obiang, Noble, Kouyate, Lanzini, Arnautovic. Subs: Hart, Chicharito, Ayew, Burke, Cullen, Rice.

Russian International forward Fyodor Smolov has indicated that he wants to sign for West Ham United later this month, 27-year old Smolov currently plays for FC Krasnodar in the Russian Premier League having joined them from Dynamo Moscow in 2015.

West Ham’s current upturn in form has been remarkable to witness with the Hammers riding out an intense Christmas fixture list to pull themselves out of the relegation zone. A managerial change always seems to spike immediate results but the early signs are that the appointment of David Moyes will continue to inspire the Hammers improved trajectory.

West Ham United have been drawn away against the winners of the Bournemouth versus Wigan replay for the fourth round of the FA Cup. Of course there is the less than small matter of having to overcome Shrewsbury Town in next Tuesday's replay at the London Stadium!

Shrewsbury Town: Henderson, Bolton, Sadler, Nsiala, Beckles, Ogogo, Whalley, Nolan, C. Morris, Godfrey, Rodman. Subs: MacGillivray, Lowe, Dodds, Gnahoua, John-Lewis, B. Morris, Payne.
West Ham United: Hart, Burke, Rice, Reid, Ogbonna, Masuaku, Kouyate, Obiang, Cullen, Chicharito, Ayew. Subs: Adrian, Neufville, Quina, Makasi, Samuelsen, Haksabanovic, Martinez.