Gianluca Scamacca has been heavily linked in some quarters with a move away from West Ham this summer after an injury hit first season with the Irons, strong interest in the striker is allegedley coming from Jose Mourinho’s Roma and Champions League semi finalists AC Milan.

However, Scamacca has been included in the squad for tonight's pre-season friendly away to Borehamwood which may raise some eyebrows, although to all intents and purposes including the £35 Million striker isn't unusual at all, UNLESS the club were seriously trying to 'punt' the Italian striker to other clubs!

You would think that with £105 Million on its way to the club following the protracted Declan Rice to Arsenal transfer that West Ham would be eyeing up several top notch replacements, however despite plenty of excruciatingly poorly reported 'click bait' headlines the players realistically being linked with a move to the Irons are distinctly underwhelming and that might NOT be a bad thing!

Former Arsenal coach Steve Round, who had been at the Emirates since Mikel Arteta’s appointment in 2019, has left the club according to Sporting Director Edu. Round's departure was confirmed in a club statement that immediately began rumours that he would again link up with David Moyes having been his assistant in the past.

The Gooners announcement read “As preparations for the new men’s season get underway we can confirm Steve Round has left the club by mutual agreement."

With so many comings and goings within the Irons coaching staff it is easy for the waters to be muddied. Mark Warburton's departure has swiftly been followed by that of Paul Nevin who has also been 'moonlighting' with the full England set up as a dead ball specialist coach.

“We are delighted to confirm that Angelo Ogbonna has signed a new one-year contract,” West Ham officially announced today. Many fans are delighted as well and so are his team mates with Kurt Zouma being the first to post “Uncle Ang’” in response to the news.

Having joined from Juventus in 2015, The Og has gone on to make 232 appearances for the Irons and clearly loves the club, that 'love' is particularly reciprocated by fellow centre backs Nayef Aguerd and the aforementioned Zoooooooma!

West Ham United are scheduling a media slot for 2PM this afternoon (Monday July 3rd) during which the 'eternal' Declan Rice transfer to Arsenal will finally be confirmed. Reprsentatives from BOTH clubs have been feverishly working on an agreement that suits all those concerned.

Tim Steidten has begun his job as technical director for West Ham United, following success in a similar role in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen.The 44-year-old German, who will be responsible for West Ham's player recruitment strategy, is known for his data led approach to scouting.

Rumours of impending arrivals at West Ham United are rife at the moment given the club's recent Euro Cup success and the fact that there will be a few quid in the Kitty following the inevitable departure of Declan Rice to neighbours Arsenal for a whopping fee.

While there is legitimate interest in UK based players like Harvey Barnes from newly relegated Leicester City and several other Championship players, Hammers will be doing most of their eventual shopping from abroad, with France in particular being the most fertile of areas to but players from.

As if it wasn't bad enough having Big Mikey Antonio 'bad mouthing' Gianluca Scamacca, now ex-Hammers legend Frank McAvennie is telling anyone who will listen and give him a few quid for his opinion that Lucas Paqueta "would be open to leaving West Ham for Newcastle or Paris Saint-Germain because he doesn’t like David Moyes’ style of football".

Yes, Hammers COULD have dealt with the Declan Rice saga better, yes they SHOULD have got the deal done sooner and yes they WOULD have if the club wasn't in 'suspended' animation! Let's look at the latter first, since the sad passing of David Gold any decision by Daniel Kretinsky with regards to a full take over of the club WOULD have been put on hold.