27 Jan 2021 11:26:22
Morning all, hope all is staying safe

Ed 002 and news on any kind of striker coming in? heard of the usual million names but nothing concrete,

{Ed002's Note - The issue seems to be the lack of focus and identifying specific targets. WHU seem to be taking the scatter gun approach yet again. This sort of summarises where I think we are:

Moussa Dembele (S) has not reacted well to being on the bench for a few games and with Tino Kadewere proving his worth Lyon are open to selling. There has been a discussion with a couple of sides already but neither could offer him a starting role. Atletico Madrid hope to be able to offering the guarantees he wants and whilst he is not top of their list of replacements the player has said he is open to a move to Spain. David Moyes is a known fan of the player and might well see him as an option at the right price for West Ham. Moved to Atletico, scratch him from the list.
Boulaye Dia (S) Reims striker who would need to considerably improve his strike rate but has been of interest to West Ham, Brighton, Everton and Marseille. Says he wants to play for Lyon. I would scratch him from the list.
Mariano Diaz (S) It is true that Real Madrid have the representatives of Mariano Diaz offering him around on ideally a loan to buy option as they continue to clear the decks ready for a summer spending spree. Diaz is an out and out striker who had a very good season at Lyon three years ago but is simply not good enough for Real Madrid where the goals return has been well below average. He has rejected loans to several clubs already inclding West Brom and Brighton - West Ham may offer solution but commiting to an obligation to buy may not be wise. Seems to have fallen by the wayside.
Marcus Forss (S) Brentford Striker being considered by Borussia Dortmund and West Ham. New contract so he can be forgotten.
Arkadiusz Milik (S) will be available in January as he is out of contract in the summer. Atletico and Milan see him as a cheap option but Atletico have since decided on a different longer-term option because they have a concern that the goals dried up last season and he is very much out of favour this season. Milan have several player on their list. Juventus may offer him a deal for the summer - which is why Napoli are keen to move him on and replace him. Milan, who have several players on their list, Everton (who offer a wildcard option due to the links with CA) and Marseille have made it clear to his agent that they are not going to pay the €15M asking price for a player who will be a Free Agent in the summer. He has a very exciteable agent who has approached at least Spurs and Chelsea about the player with neither being interested - so he may well have approached West Ham. It would be a very high risk purchase if West Ham were keen. Moved to Marseille so scratch him from the list.
Olivier Giroud (S) Numerous clubs have an interest but will stay at Chelsea until the summer. Scratch him from the list.
Gaetan Laborde (S) An offer was made by a third party on behalf of WHU and rejected by Montpellier.
Moussa Marega (S) seen by West Ham as a cheap option able to sign on a Pre-Contract in January. But perhaps no longer first choice - but perhaps should have been.
Josh King (S) Newcastle have had an offer for JK rejected and offers may well be coming from Burnley, West Ham and West Brom.
Ivan Toney (S) The player decided on a move to Brentford in the summer instead of Swansea or Brighton. Celtic also made enquiries. After a very good start to the season he has attracted scouts from a number of Premier League sides including Everton, West Ham, Arsenal, and again Brighton. Brentford have no interest in selling.
Youssef En-Nesyri (S) West Ham apparently, via a third party, have made an approach to ask about availability and price for the player who has done well this season, but has mot set the world alight previously. Will be off the AFCON when it comes around. Makes little sense and I would scratch him from the list.
Odsonne Edouard (S) West Ham have enquired (with his agent) after the availability of OE but the player is apparently not keen on the move. He may be open to a move to Leicester who have also enquired with his agent. For now there are no offers are on the table but Celtic would listen to a significant offer.
Hee-Chan Hwang (F) RBL paid €10M to sign Hwang in the summer of 2020 and it has not worket out at all well and they are open to an intial loan in January but they are looking to move him on permanently and have replacements in mind. Yeni Malatyaspor want a loan but cannot afford the wages. There is some interest from the second tier in Germany but previous interest of Wolves and Leicester has gone. It has been suggested by an Austrian "agent" that West Ham have spoken with RBL about taking the player on loan and that interests RBL - but he has to be seen as a higher risk solution to the others that have been looked at.
Giovanni Simeone (F) Cagliari intend to sell to cover themselves financially and will listen to offers. They had hoped that Atletico would come in with a good offer. West Ham spoke with his representative but he would need to be matched with a Centre Forward due to his size.

1.) 27 Jan 2021
27 Jan 2021 13:09:55
Phew Ed002, Great info from you, but must confess lost on me, to much to read, I will just wait and see what happens if anything? âš’âš’âš’.

2.) 27 Jan 2021
27 Jan 2021 13:37:51
Outstanding run down Ed002 -- thank you.
Patson Daka absent from the list -- did I miss something on him?

{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of any interest:

Patson Daka (S) the player signed a new contract at RBS last season when he was assured of the chance to replace Haaland - a chance he has taken very well under Jesse Marsch. RBL could be interested in taking him in the future but the timing is not right now as RBS have no intention of selling. He is a player who would depart for AFCON which puts many clubs off. His agent and his assistant (Freddie Kanoute) have offered him around without the permission of RBS - this will be driven by the far higher wages offered elsewhere and certainly Lomdon-based clubs have been approached including Crystal Palace who have previously made an offer for him and Spurs. I suspect West Ham and Arsenal will also have been approached.

3.) 27 Jan 2021
27 Jan 2021 15:57:37
Tremendous effort with the info, Ed002.

Many thanks.

My gut tells me that buying Benrahma outright this window and bringing Lingard into that loan space, will be it.

I can’t see there being anymore cash for the central striker we need.

{Ed002's Note - That is why they have jumped for Benrahma now, but they really must address the Stiker issue.}

4.) 27 Jan 2021
27 Jan 2021 15:58:12
Wow. Thanks Ed.