West Ham transfer news

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Liverpool legend emerges as shock contender for West Ham job if David Moyes leave Hammers this summer

      by

      XABI ALONSO is emerging as a strong candidate to be the next West Ham manager — if David Moyes leaves.Current Hammers boss Moyes is adamant he is already planning for next season and has no intention of going this summer.
      Xabi Alonso has emerged as a shock contender for the West Ham jobCredit: Getty
      David Moyes has vowed to stay at West Ham this summerCredit: Rex
      But if West Ham and the Scot do part company, Liverpool icon Alonso will be in the frame after putting himself firmly on the club’s radar this season.
      The ex-Bayern Munich midfielder, 41, is making a real name for himself after transforming Bayer Leverkusen in his first big job.
      When Alonso arrived in October, after three years in charge of Real Sociedad’s B team, Leverkusen were second bottom in the Bundesliga.
      Now they are in the top six and the semi finals of the Europa League as the man who won the World Cup and European Championship as a player starts building his coaching career.

      Alonso, 41, is developing the reputation of a young progressive coach in the mould of childhood friend Mikel Arteta, now the Arsenal manager, and Burnley boss Vincent Kompany.
      It is understood that senior figures at West Ham are well aware of the buzz surrounding Alonso and consider him a real possibility to replace Moyes, despite his relative lack of experience.
      The former Spain international knows the Premier League after spending five seasons with Liverpool, during which he helped them win the Champions League and FA Cup.
      Alonso went on to be a European and Spanish champion with Real Madrid before winning three Bundesliga titles at Bayern.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
      The first two of those championships came under Pep Guardiola, who would go on to have Arteta as his assistant at Manchester City.
      Liverpool fans are already talking about Alonso as a future Anfield boss, ahead of his former midfield partner Steven Gerrard.
      But West Ham could offer him the chance to prove his mettle in the Premier League. More

    • 288 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      West Ham 4 KAA Gent 1 (5-2): Hammers a completely different side in Europe as Rice and Antonio help them ease to semis

      by

      AND just like that, the good times are back in east London.David Moyes is dancing down the touchline like a lunatic. Declan Rice is scoring worldies. West Ham are back in a European semi-final.
      West Ham progressed into the Europa Conference League semi-finalCredit: Getty
      Declan Rice helped inspire the comebackCredit: Rex
      Make no mistake, their Premier League campaign has been an utter misery, one that still sees them fighting for their lives in one of the tightest scraps in top-flight history.
      But boy, do they still know how to get the job done in Europe under Moyes’ guidance.
      Level at half time as Michail Antonio cancelled out Hugo Cuypers’ 26th-minute tap-in, the floodgates opened thanks to Lucas Paqueta’s 55th-minute penalty.
      A flurry followed in the space of ten mad minutes. Rice ran the length of the pitch for a superb third before Antonio curled in his second and West Ham’s fourth. Game over.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      You could sense many in the London Stadium were having flashbacks to last season’s run to the Europa League semi-finals that saw continental heavyweights Sevilla and Lyon flattened.
      The Europa Conference League’s opposition has been significantly less sexy. Two Danish minnows, a fallen Romanian giant and the best that Belgium have to offer among them.
      Not that Moyes gives a jot, nor do the fans. For the second year on the spin, the Hammers are two games away from a first major European final since 1976.
      Just under twelve months ago, West Ham had their hearts broken by Eintracht Frankfurt in the semis. This time around, Holland’s AZ Alkmaar stand in their way.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Victory away at Bournemouth this weekend could just about secure Prem survival, leaving the Irons free to once more dream of lifting their first piece of silverware for 43 years.
      After an impressive display to earn a draw versus Arsenal, Antonio was given another chance to lead the line – first-leg scorer Danny Ings on the bench again.
      Having rotated out in Gent, Moyes opted for full strength to get the job done here.
      The visiting coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck wanted to delay kick-off by 15 minutes as their coach got stuck in Stratford traffic, moaning about the disruption to their routine.
      He need not have worried with West Ham a bundle of nerves on the ball. Paqueta sloppily gave away possession in his own half in the 25th minute.
      Sixty seconds later, the hosts were behind. Hyunseok Hong fed dangerman Orban, who drove into the box and crossed to the back post for Matisse Samoise to scuff his shot.

      An early slice of luck for the Belgians, the ball falling kindly at the feet of Cuypers to nudge goal wards, somehow escaping Nayef Aguerd’s attempted block on the line.
      This was the first time West Ham had gone behind in this competition since a group stage trip to Silkeborg in September. Their 11-game Conference League unbeaten streak was under threat.
      A needless handball from defender Alessio Castro-Montes then gave Jarrod Bowen the chance to deliver a free-kick with whip and precision, and Antonio’s near-post headed flick made the most of it.
      The onslaught began within seconds of the restart. Tomas Soucek smacked the bar from six yards. Bowen forced Davy Roef into a good stop. Joseph Okumu then produced a blatant handball in the box.
      Referee Orel Grinfeeld bizarrely let play go on as Antonio hit the post, only to review the monitor on VAR’s recommendation. Penalty awarded. Paqueta succeeded with a stutter.
      Gent quickly lost their heads. With 58 minutes on the clock, Rice won back the ball outside his own box and drove majestically until finishing low into the corner.

      Five minutes on and Antonio was celebrating his second, a curled effort to make him West Ham’s joint-highest goalscorer in Europe with eight, now level with Bowen.
      Moyes has spent most of this season fighting to keep his job. Should West Ham reach the final in Prague on June 7, he has the chance to become immortal in these parts. More

    • 250 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Eagle-eyed fans praise Lucas Paqueta’s ‘top s***housery’ as they spot how he put off Arsenal star Saka for penalty miss

      by

      LUCAS PAQUETA has been praised for his “top s***housery” against Arsenal.Eagle-eyed fans have spotted that the West Ham star managed to put off Bukayo Saka as he stepped up to take a penalty.
      Lucas Paqueta put Bukayo Saka off during his penalty kick
      Saka then sent his effort wide of the postCredit: Alamy
      Paqueta had already won a soft penalty in the match for West HamCredit: Getty
      Fans noticed it after watching West Ham’s Behind-The-Scenes video of the match on YouTube.
      Arsenal had been awarded a spot kick following Michail Antonio’s handball.
      If the Gunners had scored it would have put them in complete control in the Premier League clash at the London Stadium.
      Despite having led 2-0 after ten minutes, the Hammers had got back into the game through Said Benrahma’s penalty before half time.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      But as Saka stepped up to take his effort, fans have spotted that Paqueta shouted at the England international.
      And it seems the Brazilian’s intervention was enough to put Saka off as he sent his effort wide of the post.
      One happy West Ham fan tweeted: “Top s***housery from Paqueta
      A second wrote: “Paqueta putting off Saka as he steps up 🤣😉.”
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      A third commented: “The dark arts of football is great West ham need to do this a lot more.”
      A fourth said: “Love it.”
      While a fifth added: “I love this guy.”
      Arsenal fans will not be impressed with Paqueta however as they believed that he had dived to win West Ham’s penalty in the first half.
      And to make matters worse, Jarrod Bowen fired in an equaliser two minutes after Saka’s miss.
      The game ended 2-2, which boosted the Hammer’s survival chances while denting Arsenal’s title hopes. More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal offer Reiss Nelson new deal with bumper pay-rise but fear winger will still join London rivals on free transfer

      by

      ARSENAL have offered Reiss Nelson a new deal but fear he could join another Premier League side on a free transfer, according to reports.The winger’s contract is set to expire at the end of this season.
      Reiss Nelson is wanted by a host of Premier League clubsCredit: Getty
      Arsenal have opened talks with him over a new deal and offered to increase his £35,0000-a-week wages,
      However, the Mail claim he could reject the proposal in the hunt for more regular first-team action.
      West Ham are among the teams interested in Nelson with the player settled in his home city of London.
      The likes of Fulham, Aston Villa and Brighton are also keeping tabs on the 23-year-old’s situation.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Villa boss Unai Emery is supposedly keen to work with Nelson again after managing him at the Gunners.
      There is also interest coming from Europe via Serie A giants AC Milan.
      Nelson has played 12 times in all competitions this season for Arsenal after battling a thigh issue that ruled him out of 17 games this campaign.
      He has netted three goals and grabbed three assists with his best moment coming when he scored a last-gasp winner in a 3-2 victory over Bournemouth.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
      Nelson spent last season out on loan at Feyenoord and helped them reach the Conference League final.
      Rumours suggest that if he was to leave the club then Arsenal could look to replace him with Crystal Palace ace Wilfried Zaha.
      The Ivorian is out of contract this summer and has also been linked with Borussia Dortmund, Monaco and Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad. More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal fans ALL say the same thing as Declan Rice spotted asking Martin Odegaard for his autograph after West Ham draw

      by

      ARSENAL fans are all saying the same thing after Declan Rice was seen asking Martin Odegaard for an AUTOGRAPH.The midfield stars faced off on the pitch on Sunday as West Ham hosted Arsenal in a London derby.
      Declan Rice sent Arsenal fans wild as he asked for Martin Odegaard’s autographCredit: BEIN Sports
      The duo collided on the field as West Ham held Arsenal to a 2-2 drawCredit: Reuters
      Odegaard scored as Arsenal went 2-0 up inside 10 minutes.
      But West Ham produced an incredible comeback as they secured a 2-2 draw to dent the Gunners’ title hopes.
      After the match, Rice and Odegaard were seen deep in talks.
      An Arsenal jersey bearing the Norwegian’s name and number was then produced.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      And Rice held it tight as Odegaard autographed the shirt with his signature.
      England star Rice loves collecting jerseys from his biggest rivals, and boasts an incredible collection featuring the likes of Mason Mount, Harry Kane and Jack Grealish.
      But Arsenal fans saw the interaction with Odegaard as a clear sign that Rice is going to join them this summer.
      The powerhouse is looking to leave West Ham in search of Champions League football.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Rice is an avid collector of football shirtsCredit: Declan Rice Instagram
      The ace boasts jerseys belonging to some of the best ever, both past and presentCredit: Declan Rice Instagram
      And Mikel Arteta is understood to have made Rice one of his top targets.
      One fan said: “Rice is gagging to leave West Ham, wow.”
      Another declared: “He is ours. He wants us.”
      One noted: “100 per cent going to Arsenal.”
      Another added: “He could have waited until the summer when on the same but I can’t blame the guy.”
      Speaking after the game, Odegaard urged Arsenal team-mates to keep their heads up despite handing advantage to Man City in the title race.
      He said: “We have to remember we are still top of the league with everything in our own hands.
      “The same mindset, same mentality to make sure we win the next one.
      Read More on The Sun
      “We started well then stopped, allowed them to play on their qualities.
      “We gave them the game they wanted, we gave them hope and that’s on us. We have to look forward now.” More

    • 213 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Premier League referee Mark Halsey reveals why West Ham penalty against Arsenal should NOT have been overturned

      by

      FORMER Premier League referee Mark Halsey has revealed why West Ham’s penalty against Arsenal was NOT overturned.The Gunners were frustrated with the call that gave the Hammers the opportunity to get back in the game at 2-0 down.
      Mark Halsey has praised David Coote for his decisions in the West Ham vs Arsenal gameCredit: PA
      West Ham were offered a route back into the game when Lucas Paqueta was fouled in the boxCredit: EPA
      After Thomas Partey was caught in possession by Declan Rice, the ball was squared to Lucas Paqueta who was clipped by Gabriel in the box, despite the defender’s best efforts to avoid contact with his fellow Brazilian.
      David Coote immediately pointed to the spot, with VAR confirming the call – gifting West Ham their first goal.
      Some Arsenal fans weren’t convinced there was enough contact for a penalty to be given.
      While others pointed to an apparent handball by Rice while dispossessing Partey.
      Read more Arsenal news
      But Halsey, now 61, refereed in the Premier League from 1999-2013 – and he believes the Paqueta penalty was the right call.
      He told SunSport: “Lucas Paqueta went past Gabriel and it’s clear the Arsenal defender caught him so it was an obvious penalty.
      “It was a careless challenge and Arsenal cannot have any complaints.
      “There were suggestions Declan Rice handled the ball in the build up, but even if there was contact, it looked to be accidental and accidental handball is not an offence.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      “VAR would not get involved in that situation because it was subjective.”
      Arsenal, themselves, were awarded a second half penalty when Michail Antonio was adjudged to have handled in the box.
      Again, Coote had no hesitations in pointing to the spot, which was the right decision again, according to Halsey.
      “The law is clear, if you’re making yourself bigger and your arms are out and move towards the ball, the referee will give a penalty,” Halsey said.
      “We see a lot of those given week in, week out.
      “That’s why the handball law is an ass.
      “They changed the law to try and simplify it but the new law has made it even more confusing.
      “The VAR was never going to overturn that. Both penalty decisions were correct.
      “We want to see the on-field referee making decisions. We don’t want referees not getting involved and waiting for VAR to help.
      “And fair play to David Coote because he made the decisions himself yesterday.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Unfortunately for Arsenal, Bukayo Saka missed his penalty – that could have put Mikel Arteta’s title-challenging side in a commanding 3-1 lead.
      Instead, just moments later, they were pegged back to 2-2 when Jarrod Bowen squeezed an effort into the corner to dent Arsenal’s title hopes. More

    • 238 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Declan Rice did his Arsenal transfer audition no harm, he chased shadows to start but showed his £100m class

      by

      AS JOB interviews go, this probably wasn’t what Declan Rice had envisaged.The West Ham captain had thundered into Arsenal dangerman Gabriel Jesus right from the kick-off as he looked to make an immediate impression on the League leaders.
      Declan Rice starred for West Ham against ArsenalCredit: Reuters
      But for the next half hour that was close as he got to any of his opponents as the visitors strolled into a two-goal lead while barely breaking sweat.
      Rice was doing his best to plug all the holes in his team but it was impossible for him to be in four places at once.
      Arsenal were simply bypassing him in a blur of first time passes and when Martin Odegaard drifted in unchallenged to volley Arsenal’s second goal, he looked as though his head was going to explode.
      Every time he managed to get on the ball he found himself looking in vain for options and team-mates showing for a pass.  
      Read more Arsenal news
      But there is a reason that Arsenal are leading the race to sign the 24-year-old England international in the summer.
      And after chasing shadows for most of an embarrassingly one-sided first-half, Rice stepped up to show just why so many teams are so eager to buy him.
      When Thomas Partey dawdled in possession deep inside his own half, Rice didn’t need to think twice before pouncing.
      Arsenal claimed the ball had ricocheted off his arm before he played in Lucas Paqueta to win the 33rd minute penalty which kickstarted the West Ham fightback.
      Most read in Football
      But VAR didn’t agree and when Said Benrahma sent Aaron Ramsdale the wrong way from the spot suddenly it was a completely different match.
      And no-one impressed more than Rice as he constantly broke up play and made sure his team continued to play on the front foot.
      But it was his ability to keep a cool head when all about him were losing theirs which would have most impressed Mikel Arteta. 
      As the Arsenal boss watched his team implode for the second week, how he could have done with Rice’s calm authority in the middle or the pitch to calm their nerves.
      Hammers boss David Moyes has regularly stated that it will take a British record transfer fee to prise his midfield diamond away this summer.
      But Rice has already stated his ambition to play in the Champions League sooner rather than later.
      And, let’s be honest,  that’s not going to happen at West Ham in a month of Super Sundays.
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      And though he still has another two years to run on his contract at the London Stadium, everyone at the club is already resigned to him leaving this summer.
      Read More on The Sun
      The best West Ham fans can hope for is that Rice will help to keep them in the Premier League and maybe lift the Europa Conference League trophy before packing his bags for somewhere in the region of £100million.
      And while he might have done his best to damage Arsenal’s title chances, they are still going to be playing in Europe’s top competition next season and look a perfect fit to take Rice’s career to the next level. More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal player ratings: Gunners title hopes take blow as Holding and Saka struggle to make mark against West Ham

      by

      ARSENAL’S title hopes took a dent after a 2-2 draw at West Ham. Gabriel Jesus got Mikel Arteta’s outfit off to the perfect start by opening the scoring after seven minutes.
      Bukayo Saka’s penalty miss summed up a frustrating afternoon for ArsenalCredit: Getty
      West Ham took a major step towards safetyCredit: PA
      And it appeared to be a game where Arsenal might blow away the Hammers when Martin Odegaard converted a crisp volley to make it 2-0 after just ten minutes.
      However, things began to turn sour when Thomas Partey had the ball robbed off of him by Declan Rice, leading to the penalty with Said Benrahma duly converted.
      Bukayo Saka, ever so reliable from 12 yards this season, then missed a penalty shortly after the break before Jarrod Bowen volleyed past Aaron Ramsdale.
      The result leaves Arsenal with a lead over Manchester City of just four points.
      Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the Gunners.
      Aaron Ramsdale – 6
      Unfortunately dived the wrong way for the penalty before tipping over a potentially dangerous header later on.
      Could have done better with Jarrod Bowen’s volleyed equaliser shortly after the break.
      Ben White – 7
      Got an assist with the opener thanks to a perfectly weighted pass across the goal.
      Most read in Football
      Failed to get out quickly enough with to hold an offside trap when Bowen fired home the equaliser.
      Rob Holding – 5
      Caught out in behind a couple of times when isolated against Michail Antonio. Struggled in the physical battle against the West Ham star all game.
      Like White, guilty of failing to get up quickly enough when Bowen ran in behind for his equaliser.
      Rob Holding had a torrid time against Michail AntonioCredit: Reuters
      Gabriel – 6
      Gave away a foul on Lucas Paqueta for Benrahma’s penalty.
      Covered Holding well when Antonio looked to have an advantage, though like Holding had a tough time when isolated against Antonio one on one.
      Kieran Tierney – 7
      Replaced Oleksandr Zinchenko in the line up and was solid throughout.
      Failed to track Bowen on the equaliser. Subbed off after 85 minutes as Arsenal went for the win.
      Thomas Partey – 6
      Thomas Partey was guilty of being robbed by Declan Rice before Said Benrahma’s penaltyCredit: Getty
      Slipped in White when he set up the opener. Always available for as a passing option but left far from his best when it came to his more defensive duties.
      Gave the ball away to Declan Rice in the build up to the penalty and received a yellow card for a cynical foul shortly after. Subbed off after 66 minutes.
      Granit Xhaka – 6
      Not afraid to get down and dirty against West Ham.
      Gritty performance but was unable to lift up the rest of below par midfield.
      Martin Odegaard – 6
      Scored a crisp volley but went quiet soon after.
      Far from his creative best and subbed off after 90 minutes.
      Bukayo Saka – 5
      Missed from 12 yards just before Bowen’s equaliser. Started brightly but faded, culminating in the penalty miss.
      Wasted a great chance by going alone when three on two on a counter-attack in the 70th minute.
      Gabriel Martinelli – 6
      Beautiful cross to set up Odegaard’s volley, but like his captain went quiet for much of the rest.
      Subbed off after 85 minutes.
      Gabriel Jesus – 8
      Gabriel Jesus put in a fine display was but able to do nothing to stop the Gunners collapseCredit: Rex
      Scored an early goal to try settle any Arsenal nerves. Appeared to work a treat as the Gunners scored a swift second before the team’s defensive collapse.
      Led the line well and produced some brilliant touches in a role more similar to a false nine. Subbed after 66 minutes.
      Substitutes
      Leandro Trossard (on for Jesus 66mins) – 7
      Once again a lively performance off the bench but couldn’t offer a big enough spark for the rest of the Gunner’s misfiring attack.
      Jorginho (on for Partey 66mins) – 6
      Gave the Gunners a more secure passing option than Partey had offered prior to him.
      Reiss Nelson (On for Martinelli 85mins) – 6
      Few decent touches but not really enough time to make mark.
      Read More on The Sun
      Fabio Vieira (On for Tierney 85mins) – 5
      Offered little after coming on. Like Nelson too little time for impact.
      Eddie Nketiah (on for Odegaard) – N/A
      Not enough time to make mark. More