12 Jul 2019 10:16:36
Ed is there any chance of an update on the striker search? We're linked with everyone in Europe at the moment but what's the most realistic outcome?

{Ed002's Note - I think West Ham need two from:
Moussa Marega (S) looking for a move to the PL with interest from Wolves, West Ham and Leicester - interest of Aston Villa has gone after signing Wesley. This would be the one to push for.
Neal Maupay (S) WHU have made an enquiry with Brentford – could be a shrewd buy.
Salomon Rondon (S) Need to push now given the uncertainty at Newcastle.
Borja Iglesias (S) watched by WH playing for Espanyol and seen as an option to Gomez - but Everton are keen
Sebastien Haller (S) Haller has made no secret of his desire for Champions League football and there would be a fear he could soon head out when the opportunity arises.

And the others:
Maxi Gomez (S) Opted for Valencia.
Callum Wilson (S) Opted to stay at Bournemouth.
Duvan Zapata (S) - the player was not keen on a move to West Ham in January and the €50M asking price has already scared off Newcastle and Inter Milan - WHU could return but I doubt he would be viable as there is serious interest from a Champions League club. Seems very unlikely.
Aleksandar Mitrovic (S) was a realistic target and very much the Andy Carroll type player - but there is a lot of competition - and WHU did not take the time to talk with Fulham as other clubs are already doing so - he will head elsewhere or opt to stay at Fulham with a one year get out at a low price in case there is no promotion.
Florian Aye (S) makes little sense.
Edin Dzeko (S) Heading elsewhere.
Max Kruse (S) Was watched by West Ham but heading elsewhere.
Dario Benedetto (S) is a Plan C for Roma and RBL and suggested WHU move makes no sense given his goals have dried up, his injuries over the past couple of years and he will only be able to get a one year Tier 5 work permit initially.
Marion Balotelli (S) Wants a return to Italy but discussions with three clubs ended over wage demands.}


1.) 15 Jul 2019
15 Jul 2019 11:54:54
Any further update on Andrea Belotti?

{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of WH interest, sorry.}


2.) 15 Jul 2019
15 Jul 2019 12:43:23
Thanks for the updates.

Failing serious interest from elsewhere, if Haller came to us because he thought we might be a useful stepping stone, I’d be more than happy. As a club, we need to get higher quality players in our squad to push on and a standard trigger clause could be placed in any contract to encourage him to come on board.

The way I see it, we are more likely to challenge for Europe with better quality players in the side and, if we do qualify, there is a better chance that these type of players would stay.

{Ed002's Note - You cannot start adding (I assume you mean) termination clauses to contracts - it is fraught with issues, costs money and can backfire easily. I would expect the player might demand a low termination clause from a CL team.}


3.) 15 Jul 2019
15 Jul 2019 13:25:59
Thanks Ed.

In fairness any young player of talent we sign should want to play Champions League. If not question their aspirations!

Don't see that as not a good reason, and we'd get a good return and be doing well if it came about.

Getting Haller + Rondon in would pretty much complete our squad as of now.

{Ed002's Note - They are very similar players.}


4.) 15 Jul 2019
15 Jul 2019 16:18:28
I don't see any issue with that if that style of player is what the manager sees as needing: one first choice and one as backup, with then Hernandez, Antonio and Silva providing flexibility and variation.

A bigger issue is if you sign Haller, build a way of playing, he gets injured, and you need to restyle completely because you only have a totally different player to cover them available to come in.


5.) 15 Jul 2019
15 Jul 2019 18:49:14
Rondo is joining benetez in china. COYI.