14 Jun 2022 21:09:58
Evening Ed02, hope all's well with you. Could you possibly give us an insight into who you believe were focusing on at the moment please. Any insight would be much appreciated.

{Ed002's Note - West Ham has eight players out of contract in the summer and a further five entering their final year. Like most clubs, money remains tight, and they could look to cashing in on primary assets (such as Rice or Bowen) to help raise transfer funds. The club could look to a couple of loans to help out and need to assess the youngsters they already have on the books as the out of contract and aging players will not be around for much longer. There needs to be a plan and that has been lacking for a long time. The wage issue needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency or the club can expect FFP sanctions. I would think it remains frustrating for West Ham fans not to have seen the striker position not resolved as we go from window to window. The club need, ideally, at least one GK, a versatile FB, a CB (perhaps two), DM, CM, wide players and a S. They could save on the DM by trusting in NV and perhaps need to promote Pierre Ekwah who is going to have a very good future.

They have been actively scouting a huge number of players as usual and seem to be unable to focus their efforts. Players where some level of interest has been shown by West Ham United:

Alphonse Areola (G) WHU Have an option to buy or extend but the player may resist citing lack of opportunities and may look for a high-profile club. West Ham would like to keep him – will need persuading. Maybe, depending on other options.
Bartlomiej Dragowski (G) Has asked to leave Fiorentina for more game time. Looked at by WHU as an option if Areola does not sign with Southampton providing an option.
Andriy Lunin (G) Borussia Dortmund have him as their first choice - player wants to kickstart his career away from Madrid. West Ham offer a loan option. Marseille provide a wildcard.
Gaëtan Coucke (G) Genk sold Coucke to Mechelen in 2020 as he was letting in a couple of goals per game - and he is still letting a lot in. His agent has said Ipswich Town and West Ham have asked after him - it is unclear why as it seems he is nothing like good enough.
Emiliano Martinez (G) Aston Villa will resist a sale but Spurs see Martinez as a potential longer-term Lloris replacement and West Ham see him as a Fabianski replacement. Manchester United want to avoid signing a new goalkeeper but could be forced to look to him. If WHU were to make an offer the player would likely look to the role of Areola before deciding. Unlikely as the cost will be significant.
Sam Johnstone (G) Crystal Palace, West Ham and Southampton may look to offers to the player who is out of contract in the summer. Spurs interest has gone.
Ola Aina (RB) Torino are willing to let him leave and return to London - Chelsea and Crystal Palace were previously approached but West Ham United may offer an option with Johnson and Fredericks out of contract in the summer, and even then, they seem well stocked. Crystal Palace have cover for the position but could do with someone younger. Leeds have declared an interest. Chelsea should probably not have sold him but have other targets. Lille offer a wildcard option.
Calvin Bassey (LB/CB) Leicester are open to him re-signing whist Aston Villa, West Ham and Crystal Palace have looked at him. Rangers will resist a sale by trying to price him out of the market.
Nayef Aguerd (CB) Rennes have been given the opportunity to profit on the player by Marseille but have made clear they are not looking to sell – but they will at the right price. Southampton and West Ham are amongst clubs who sent scouts to watch him and West Ham have followed this up with an offer – West Ham should be able to complete this.
Duje Caleta-Car (CB) Newcastle and Wolves approached Marseille about a January transfer but he stayed in Marseille. There is sustained interest from West Ham with ex-Marseille scout Georges Santos joining West Ham. The player sees these clubs as a step down and wants Champions League football but that is not an option for him at this point in time. West Ham have messed around the lady who does the negotiations on behalf Marseille in the past, and she sees them as unprofessional, so it will be more difficult to reach any agreement and she has already rejected a proposal for a loan with an option to buy. She will be speaking to Wolves again if West Ham do not match their financial demands, which are very reasonable. Would need a hard sell of the Newcastle project. Marseille are very keen to move him on after the grief of last summer. West Ham can complete this one if they fail with Aguerd or are looking for two CBs.
Nathaniel Phillips (CB) West Ham interest remains. An ideal Ogbonna replacement at a good price – would be a good buy for West Ham. Something can be done at the right price but I suspect he will head elsewhere.
James Tarkowski (CB) options are Everton, Newcastle and Wolves. I suspect the long-term interest of West Ham has gone after failing to sort out a transfer previously but as a Free Agent he could be attractive.
Niklas Stark (CB/DM) Hertha wanted a new contract agreed rather than see the player depart as a Free Agent in the summer. They also promised him the role of full-time captain in the future. There have been enquiries Werder Bremen, Dortmund and West Ham. Will head to Bremen.
Malang Sarr (CB) Loan target for Roma, Milan, Strasbourg and West Ham.
Evan Ndicka (CB) Expected to leave in the summer. An option for Newcastle and West Ham. Watched by Manchester United and Arsenal.
Nikola Milenkovic (CB) Milan, Inter and Spurs have an interest in NM but Milan will need to sell to raise funds and that may be a problem. Something could be done with Spurs and he is their first choice. Interest of West Ham remains but he will seek a Champions League team.
Dan-Axel Zagadou (CB) Borussia Dortmund want a new contract signed but he can leave as a Free Agent and would not be seen as a huge loss. There is no finesse about his game but his "representative" is trying to get him a move to the Premier League and has spoken with at least West Ham, Manchester United, Newcastle and Everton. It would seem unlikely that he would be a first choice for any given he is effectively only cover at Dortmund. Hoffenheim are lkikely to take a chance on him. The player has had very significant injury issues with his knees and must be seen as risky.
Nathan Ake (CB) Time to move on with the player previously expressing an interest in a return to London - West Ham and Crystal Palace offered solutions but the only firm interest is from Newcastle. May stay in Manchester. Milan interest has gone.
Malick Thiaw (CB) now 20 Schalke are looking to fend off interest in the player hand have him extend his contract. There have been enquiries from West Ham and Sturm Graz that will go nowhere, but an offer from Milan could attract the player.
Sven Botman (CB) Milan or Newcastle could look to him. Will be available, but not until the summer, and many PL clubs have been scouting Lille including West Ham who were told they would not discuss Botman. Emerging as first choice CB for Newcastle.
Michael Keane (CB) Everton want to keep him, West Ham have an interest.
Di'Shon Bernard (CB) West Ham have sent scouts to Hull to watch the Manchester United loanee who was at the Chelsea Academy.
Abdou Diallo (CB) Newcastle have a declared interest - PSG will be willing to sell. Milan will offer a loan with an option and that might be more attractive to the player than moving to Newcastle. Plenty of scouts, including West Ham, have watched the player.
Benoit Badiashile (CB) Has been scouted by West Ham and recommended to Newcastle who are stumbling around trying to recruit players but are getting turned down - they have a clear preference, so a move seems unlikely. Manchester United interest seems to have moved on but Chelsea still have him on their lengthy list of options. If Kounde departs Sevilla, they have the player as an option.
Alex Kral (DM) West Ham will probably not sign him on a permanent deal opening the door to Monaco and Montpellier.
Marc Roca (DM) Offered to Real Madrid but they have a preferred option. Roma interest will go when Matic arrives. West Ham and Leeds see him as a replacement for potential departures. Leeds will likely win out.
Guido Rodriguez (DM) The club have said that if someone comes up with his €75M release clause then he can be sold. There is no interest at that price but Arsenal have watched the player but without further departures do not need another DM player. It seems very unlikely the player would want the move after only being in Spain since January 2020, although Real Betis would be open to a sale. A reasonable fee might be €20M-€25M - but that may not be enough for them. If Liverpool are interested, it would not be as a Wijnaldum replacement but more likely a Fabinho replacement - makes no sense. Potentially on the list for West Ham as a Declan Rice replacement.
Jerdy Schouten (DM/CM) Recommended to West Ham buy their Chief Scout who had been interested when at Marseille. Inter may be an option. Missed 6 months with injury but has since proven his fitness. Inter see him as cover.
Harry Winks (DM/CM) Spurs have told interested sides he is not for sale but if the player were to ask to leave the coach would be supportive of that. Aston Villa moved on from Pape Sarr and made an enquiry about his availability in the summer. If West Ham were to sell Rice they might offer an option - as perhaps Manchester United might as a possible Matic replacement. He would provide an interesting option for Everton. Leicester might also be a possible destination if they were to lose Ndidi, but they have a preferred target in mind. Southampton have declared an interest. Likely to stay under Conte.
Josh Brownhill (CM/DM) West Ham had an interest when he was at Bristol City and I suspect it remains. Leeds have him on a list of options if they lose Phillips. Watched by Everton and Aston Villa but perhaps not first choice for either.
Jobe Bellingham (CM) Everyone and their dog is interested. I would forget him.
Weston McKennie (CM) Fiorentina would like to take the player and Juventus are looking to add a leading CM and need to raise funds and offload, ideally Ramsey and Arthur - but an option would be to sell Weston McKennie to Spurs or Bayern Munich who have both have shown an interest - although it seems to be waning in Munich. A representative of Juventus was in London for talks with Chelsea about another player and was asked to meet with West Ham who have declared an interest. I am not so sure the player would be interested. Juventus will keep him if they cannot raise €30M from a sale. Spurs may win out.
Aaron Ramsey (CM) agent prompted a WHU enquiry – nothing will happen with West Ham.
Jed Wallace (RW/AM) Rangers have an advantage as they can negotiate his signing as of January when West Ham, West Brom and Newcastle will need to wait until he leaves Millwall in May. Seems very unlikely.
Jesse Lingard (AM) Needs to move on. Everton, Newcastle and West Ham may offer options. Something can be done with West Ham the player may continue to look for different options.
Antonin Barak (AM) West Ham see the player as an option to Jed Wallace and Jesse Lingard. Newcastle has an interest. Was to stay in Italy with Napoli but the clubs are far apart on price. Again Spurs are keen.
Guus Til (AM) Spartak purchased the player from AZ after a significant return in terms of goals. Sadly, he did not settle and the goals dried up. A loan back to the Eredivisie with Feyenoord has been very successful and attracted the attention of a number of clubs. Marcel Brands was very keen on taking the player to Everton to replace Gylfi Sigurdsson but the interest left with Brands. Wolves provide an interesting option as it is a position they would like to strengthen. Feyenoord and the player would like a permanent deal but the funds required would likely be too much of a stretch for them. West Ham are another side looking for an AM player, and although they are one of many clubs to have scouted the player, they have preferred options. Ajax have not declared an interest, but they are fearful of losing Naci Unuvar and that could prompt them. The player has made no secret of his desire to move to Germany if he cannot stay at Feyenoord. It will be interesting to see what happens with what is a potentially significant talent.
Noa Lang (LW) was purchased for a €6.5M option from Ajax by Brugge last summer and was due to be sold on at auction. Brugge say there were no acceptable offers last summer, but with "most" English clubs having sent scouts to watch him, West Ham, Arsenal and Leeds have declared an interest. Borussia Muenchengladbach consider him an option if Marcus Thuram leaves - but they don't wish to sell. The player comes with serious baggage which is why Milan seem a little nervous after showing a great deal of interest. I am not aware of any approach by Liverpool but they have had scouts watch Lang as he is doing well. Brugge will look for perhaps €30M in the summer.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (LW) Napoli, Torino, Borussia Dortmund and Lokomotiv Moscow have spoken with Rubin Kazan who were not looking to sell in the summer. However, his agent is hawking him around the Premier League clubs with, according to him, West Ham, Southampton and Leeds showing some interest. Will move to Napoli.
Keane Lewis-Potter (LW) Hull youngster who has attracted the interest of London sides, Brentford, West Ham and Spurs.
Stephy Mavididi (LW) Right footed LW who has struggled to settle in Italy and France after leaving Arsenal. An approach from Southampton was turned down in January. There have been enquiries from West Ham and Marseille.
Lucas Ocampos (LW) Wolves were keen but opted for Chiquinho and the interest of West Ham is as an option to the likes of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to bolster the left side of their attack - but they need to focus on sorting out a striker and get away from the scattergun approach.
Giovanni Simeone (F) Cagliari need to sell to cover themselves financially and will listen to offers. They had hoped that Atletico would come in with a good offer but that hasn't happened. West Ham have a long-term interest and spoke again with his representative, but he would need to be matched with a Centre Forward due to his size. Sevilla have had an offer rejected but could return. Hellas Verona could buy and sell on - Juventus are keen. Arsenal see him as an option to Jesus. Everton and Leeds have sent scouts to watch him. Player will look for a team playing European football.
Charles De Ketelaere (AM/LW/F) There has been interest from Nice and Lorient who were worried about losing Terem Moffi. Leicester and Milan are keen. West Ham and Arsenal have watched him but taken it no further. Wants Champions League football.
Gabriel Barbosa (F) Agent has been doing the rounds in England offering the player on a loan with obligation to buy deal to at least Aston Villa, Newcastle and West Ham. Now being offered around mainland Europe and further afield - most sides still see the risk as high but Barcelona may offer an option.
Mohamed Bayo (S) Clement Foot have no interest in selling cheaply although have noted that Brighton, Chelsea and West Ham have had scouts at games watching him. It is difficult to see how a Work Permit would be obtained for England unless paying well over the odds for a player often described as clumsy. Don't rule out a West Ham offer.
Jonathan David (S/AM) Lille, like many French clubs were hit hard by the loss of broadcast revenue and will need to sell some of their more valuable assets even though they do not want to. Jonathan David is valued by Lille at an unrealistic €60M with Real Madrid keen if a deal cannot be reached for Haaland. Another option for Madrid might be to pay a deposit on a transfer for 2023 and leave him at Lille. Real Madrid may try and negotiate Eden Hazard being included in a deal. There is likely to be plenty of interest in him for a summer move if his price comes down a little - West Ham, Inter and Arsenal are three clubs cited having sent scouts to watch him, no doubt there have been many more. It is difficult to see the player being interested in a move to West Ham.
Youssef En-Nesyri (S) West Ham and Manchester United 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 not set the world alight previously. Will be off the AFCON when it comes around. Makes little sense given Sevilla are not looking to sell and would demand around €50M but there remains the thought both sides could look again. It would be doubtful he would be a starter for Manchester United. Arsenal has also shown interest in the player as a replacement for Lacazette but they need to raise funds to balance the books and could only be a viable option if a significant sale were made or a player used in exchange.
Joao Pedro (F) Discussions are underway for a move from Watford to Benfica. He was a player caught in the WHU scattergun but they cannot offer what Benfica can. Newcastle have a declared interest - I cannot see it going anywhere and they are in talks with another. Liverpool may offer a wildcard option.
Divock Origi (S) Heading elsewhere.
Patrik Schick (S) Not going to happen.
Folarin Balogun (S) is frustrated at the lack of opportunities at Arsenal and his "agent" is again offering him around with interest from Saint Etienne, West Ham and Bayer Leverkusen.
Cyle Larin (S) Brighton and Nottingham Forest are keen with West Ham and Everton enquiring after the availability of the Canadian.
Armando Broja (F) If he were to depart there are far better options already available to him.
Ben Brereton (S) Blackburn have no interested in selling the player previously of interest to Arsenal and Liverpool, although West Ham, Bournemouth and Sevilla have declared an interest, and the player would likely be attracted by the options.
Emmanuel Dennis (S) He only joined Watford a few months ago and they would not be looking to sell as they regroup in the Championship. Caught by the West Ham scattergun - not the solution.
Hugo Ekitike (F) Heading elsewhere.
Bamba Dieng (S) Availability of the player was asked about by Newcastle during discussions over another player. He only joined in the summer and is not for sale unless a very good offer is made. Crystal Palace want to talk to the lady from Marseille about him. West Ham may have caught him with the scattergun.
Darwin Nunez (S) heading elsewhere.
Antoine Semenyo (S) Identified by the Chief Scout as a viable option for West Ham.
Valentín Castellanos (F) well respected Argentinean who River Plate want to take the left sided forward from New York City. West Ham have had the player watched on a number of occasions but continue in the scattergun approach which has failed repeatedly to resolve striker issues. Leeds have a enquired after his availability but there are two factors that need to be considered - firstly, the player says he wants to move to River Plate as a Julian Alvarez replacement (but they cannot afford him) and could the City Football Group look to ease a move to another of their sides to see how he develops?
Gerard Deulofeu (LW/RW/F) journeyman player who Udinese have been using as a striker seems unable to settle anywhere may return to England with West Ham or Brighton. Napoli offer an option.
Taiwo Awoniyi (S) Newcastle has an interest. Of interest to Southampton and Newcastle. Caught by the WHU scattergun as well. Again, something may be possible for Newcastle.

1.) 15 Jun 2022
15 Jun 2022 14:48:09
Who is the NV you say we could trust in at DM? Vlasic? How does that resolve the DM issue which isn't his position by any stretch.

2.) 15 Jun 2022
15 Jun 2022 14:57:37
Wow think that's the most comprehensive post I've ever seen on here fantastic info thanks Ed

3.) 15 Jun 2022
15 Jun 2022 19:20:27
Ed02 thank you so much for such comprehensive information. In my opinion your posts are far and away more valuable to us than listening to the lazy journalism designed to stoke fires and sell fake news …. very much appreciated as always

{Ed002's Note - Thank you.}

4.) 16 Jun 2022
15 Jun 2022 22:48:26
thanks ed02 insightful as always

{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}

5.) 16 Jun 2022
16 Jun 2022 22:33:28
Can’t believe the limited response to Ed02 ‘s update on our current situation! Why would people on here rather whinge and bitch about the crap they’ve read in the Mirror rather than comment about information provided by someone who is quite obviously in the know? Discuss this rather what some journalists mate heard in the Dog and Duck!

6.) 17 Jun 2022
17 Jun 2022 08:52:04
Great post ed thank you
Why are we in so badly off financially
Top great finishs in the league the last few seasons tremendous europe run and we pay very little towards our stadium
Yes covid hit but it hit every club and the haller and anderson deals were terrible especially no sell on clause with haller
There is something a miss or am i missing something apart from our club being run awfully

{Ed002's Note - I have explained before, I don't want to open it up again.}

7.) 17 Jun 2022
17 Jun 2022 16:00:48
As i said since having covid i have problems remembering things
But i'm thinking it must be down to awful management
The money the daves take out in interest rates is that were most of it going am i on the right lines
As everything i read seems to show that

{Ed002's Note - It is a bigger deal than that.}

8.) 17 Jun 2022
17 Jun 2022 16:49:50
Thanks ed do appreciate all the work you guys do bring us info we can trust

{Ed002's Note - It seems to again be fluid with West Ham and the Dildo Brothers.}