You know how it is when you sign Brazilian players, you sign one and then suddenly your clu bbecomes linked with just about every other player in the continent who has a pulse! Such is the case at West Ham where fresh after the official announcement of the signing of Luis Guilherme the club is actively working on the signing of not one, but TWO more Brazilians so get ready to Samba!
With the transfer window about to open, all the pre opening hysteria can then make way for some real full blown bull! Hammers have been LINKED with a plethora of players, enough to replace the entire team three or four times over, so when the dust settles who will the club go for? There are 'set in stone' targets, but there are also players who are 'worth a punt' despite the risks associated with signing them, whether fitness, attitude or difficult clubs and agents to deal with.
News that Dan Chesters has joined Salford from West Ham will come as a bit of a blow to those who are hoping that Hammers excellent youth players might be given a chance to step up to the plate under the club's new regime, however all is not lost as two 'mature' youth players have been offered new 'realistic' deals that may tempt them to stay at the club when it seemed that they were both off to pastures new!
Hammers director of football has been racking up his air miles in his ceaseless quest to bring new manager Julen Lopetegui the transfer targets he has requested, the problem for Tim Steidten is that most teams don't want to play ball BEFORE the various transfer windows open.
West Ham have apparently tabled a £25million bid for Palmeiras's teenage Brazilian forward Luis Guilherme, the highly rated 18-year-old winger has been in talks regarding a move to east London this summer with Tim Steidten pulling the strings.
Now there might also be a bit of leg pulling going on as well, although highly promising, Luis Guilherme has played 43 top flight games and has scored ONE goal and provided FOUR assists! Not exactly the type of numbers that would attract what is a relatively massive offer are they?
As the media 'thunder wagon' of rumours gets up to full pelt it is worth remembering that contracted players cannot be signed before June the 14th, for International players the window doesn't open until July the 1st!
Rumour has it among the 'click bait' elite and other media platforms that newly promoted Southampton are keen to reunite themselves with their ex-player Danny Ings. 31 year Old Ings enjoyed an incredibly fruitful time while he was at St Marys before moving to Aston Villa and a move would seem to suit all parties.
'Super Tim Steidten' is about as much of a polar opposite to 'Dithering David Moyes' when it comes to their approach regarding player purchases. Moyes earned his dithering Dave moniker as a result of his over excessive due diligence, whereas Steidten is quick of the mark and wants deals done yesterday!
Only at West Ham could a club unveil their new manager and then have their 'glory' stolen by the FA on the same day! Any elation felt by the Hammers board about the publication of Julen Lopetegui's role as head coach must have evaporated as the FA finally decided to charge Lucas Paqueta with 'betting irregularities'charges.
West Ham have now officially appointed Julen Lopetegui as their new head coach. The 57 year old Spaniard succeeds David Moyes and joins on a two year deal, with the option for a third.
Lopetegui's first words after the confirmation of his arrival were "I feel very happy, first of all, to be able to be part of the future of this big club. We had other opportunities but I am very happy that West Ham chose me because I chose West Ham too, so we are really happy about this."