West Ham transfer news

WEST HAM could field a much-changed side should Jose Mourinho be appointed as manager.The Portuguese boss has been linked with the post as a potential replacement for the under-pressure David Moyes.
Jose Mourinho could put his own stamp on the West Ham teamCredit: Getty
He could bring stars like Paulo Dybala to the London StadiumCredit: Getty
Another target could be Nemanja Matic should Declan Rice leaveCredit: Getty
Mourinho could also bring English duo Chris Smalling and Tammy Abraham with himCredit: Getty
How West Ham could line up with Mourinho as manager
Mourinho is believed to be happy at his current side Roma but, according to reports, could soon receive an offer from the Hammers.
Mourinho has another season remaining on his contract at the Stadio Olimpico and it would be a shock if he left.
But should he be convinced for another spell in England he could attract some of his Roma stars to follow suit.
One player that the 60-year-old has been full of praise for since his time in Italy is Chris Smalling.
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He believed that the defender should have gone to the World Cup saying that he “would do anything to have someone like him at my disposal”.
The 33-year-old would not break the bank and could be a decent option to replace the injury-prone Kurt Zouma and aging Angelo Ogbonna.
The next option would be a short-term fix to replace Declan Rice, should he be sold in the summer.
As Mourinho loves to have some big men in his team, a reunion with Nemanja Matic would not be that big of a shock.
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The prospect of the Serbian lining-up with Tomas Soucek would be right up Mourinho’s street.
But if Rice is sold then there would be plenty of money to strengthen West Ham’s squad.
The club has struggled for goals this season, scoring only 23 in 25 Premier League games as Michail Antonio and Gianluca Scamacca have failed to be regular goalscorers.
Antonio has even been linked with an interest in the MLS so the club could need another striker to compete with Scamacca and Danny Ings.
Mourinho could look to bring Tammy Abraham back to London to bolster the frontline.
The former Chelsea striker excelled in his first season in Rome, but has slowed in his second campaign.
If West Ham were to offer enough they could tempt Roma into a sale and give Abraham another crack at the Premier League.
The final signing would be an exciting one for Hammers fans.
Paulo Dybala is believed to have a £10.7million release clause in his contract.
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The London club would easily be able to afford that and the Argentine could add some extra quality in the frontline alongside Abraham and Jarrod Bowen.
Since joining Roma last summer he has scored 12 goals and assisted six more in 25 appearances in all competitions, so if he could do that at the London Stadium he would quickly become a fan favourite.
Dybala could be a talisman at West HamCredit: Alamy More

WEST HAM bigwigs have decided to back David Moyes and are refusing to bow to furious pressure from fans.Fuming Hammers supporters have been calling for Moyes to be axed after the club were demolished at Brighton 4-0 on Saturday.
David Moyes will NOT be sacked by West Ham despite the club’s strugglesCredit: Getty
There was a cacophony of boos and chants aimed at the 59-year-old at the Amex in what was the Hammers heaviest defeat in four years.
But SunSport understands chairman David Sullivan and the board are sticking by their manager despite them now plummeting further into a relegation fight.
West Ham are now winless in 11 away matches in the Premier League and just two points above all three teams in the drop zone.
And Moyes faces a crucial few weeks which could go some way to deciding his imminent future, with a trip to Cyprus’ Aek Larnaca coming up in the Europa Conference League last 16.
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They then host Aston Villa in the league before a huge clash with fellow relegation scrappers Southampton before the international break.
Things appeared to have taken a timely upward trend after a 4-0 win at Nottingham Forest.
But a week on, holding four to no reply themselves has seen the mood dip once again.
The Hammers have picked up just six wins in the league all season.
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Meanwhile, reports suggest there could soon be a hierarchy shift in the club’s board room.
Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky is said to be keen to pay £150million for late co-owner David Gold’s shares and become the majority shareholder. More

CZECH billionaire Daniel Kretinsky is keen to pay £150million for late West Ham co-owner David Gold’s shares and become the majority shareholder, according to reports.Kretinsky 47, joined the board back in 2021 having paid between £180m-200m for a 27 per cent stake.
Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky is keen to take majority control of West HamCredit: AFP
The Czech would like to buy late co-owner Gold’s 25 per cent stakeCredit: Getty
However, a lot has changed since the Czech’s arrival in East London.
Despite a summer transfer splurge to the tune of £160m, the Hammers are fighting relegation.
And late co-owner, Gold, sadly passed away in January.
Gold owned a 25 per cent share in the East London club alongside business partner David Sullivan – who remains on the board at the London Stadium.
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The pair bought into the club in 2010.
According to Football Insider, billionaire Kretinsky wants to buy Gold’s 25 per cent, which would make him the majority shareholder at West Ham.
A £150m+ deal for Gold’s 25 per cent would take Kretinsky’s stake to 52 per cent, surpassing Sullivan’s 38.8 per cent.
Kretinsky – who owns shares in Royal Mail – has previously stated that the strong Hammers fanbase was one of the driving factors in him investing.
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He said in 2021: “The fan base is one of the reasons why I wanted to become part of the club.
“West Ham supporters are among the most passionate and knowledgeable about their club and their football anywhere.
“I understand that the move to London Stadium was initially difficult for some, but the atmosphere is incredible.
“Gradual evolution is, in my opinion, the most healthy way to build a strong club on a firm basis and with the right attitudes and culture.”
Whether West Ham’s uncertainty in the Premier League would play a role in Kretinsky hoovering up the shares is yet to be seen.
The Hammers are sat two points above bottom after 25 games played.
They were humiliated by Brighton on Saturday, running out 4-0 losers.
Moyes’ men turned in a lacklustre, low-energy performance, leading to chants of: “You’re getting sacked in the morning.”
However, according to various reports, despite West Ham’s shocking form, Moyes has the backing of the ownership. More

A FORMER West Ham and Crystal Palace striker and pundit has revealed his shock career change.Iain Dowie, 58, played 400 games for clubs including Crystal Palace, West Ham, and Southampton.
Iain Dowie played for major clubs including West Ham and Crystal PalaceCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Iain now works for a Lancashire law firmCredit: Action Images – Reuters
After retiring in 2001, the Northern Ireland striker went on to manage a range of teams including his old team, South London titans Palace.
He later tried his hand as TV punditry, becoming a fixture of Sky Soccer Saturday alongside host Jeff Stelling.
But Iain recently gave it all up for a completely new career as a mortgage advisor at a Lancashire law firm.
Alexander Grace Law, based near Burnley, has taken him on as a business director leading its re-mortgaging team.
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Iain’s wife Debbie also works at the company’s office near Preston.
He told the Daily Star: “While people may wonder how I’ve gone from the football pitch to the office I have been working within the conveyancing arena for some four years now and when I was asked if I would come on board with them it was a no-brainer.
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“I’m a real people person and much of my role will be out on the road meeting potential new partners and clients.
“And while I learned my management skills in the football world everything is transferable – but with less swearing!’
“I’ve really got stuck into the new role and can’t wait to get out there and meet some new faces.”
James Young, the solicitor who founded the firm, said he loved Iain’s locker-room stories.
It comes after former Premier League striker Marco Gabbiadini told how he gave up football to run a B&B in York.
Sunderland legend Marco Gabbiadini, 55, embarked on the unlikely second chapter after giving up football at the age of 35.
Former England midfielder Lee Bowyer also revealed that he now spends his days fishing carp on a secluded lake.
Iain during a spell as a TV punditCredit: Rex
Iain managed major clubs including Crystal PalaceCredit: Dave Pinegar – The Sun More

GARY NEVILLE believes Declan Rice needs to move on and “play at a different club”.But the Manchester United legend suggested Rice’s position as a holding midfielder means he is worth nowhere near the Hammers’ £100million asking price.
Declan Rice has been linked with a summer move away from West HamCredit: Alamy
Gary Neville has urged Rice to join a new clubCredit: Rex
West Ham boss David Moyes previously claimed it will cost a British transfer record for Rice to leave the club.
Roy Keane recently suggested he hasn’t “kicked on” enough this season to justify such an enormous price tag.
The likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea have all been linked with a big summer move for the 24-year-old.
But United legend Neville admitted he agrees with former Old Trafford team-mate Keane’s view that Rice can still improve as a midfielder.
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He told Sky Sports: “I heard what Roy said and I do agree with him.”
He went on to add: “I personally feel at this moment in time that Declan does need to go and work under a different set up.
“He needs to drive forward in his career, he needs to go and play at a different club.”
Neville claimed Rice needs to move on from West Ham, but he wouldn’t spend over £100m on the midfielder if he were Manchester United.
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The Old Trafford icon suggested there is a “cap” on what teams should be willing to pay for a holding midfield player.
Neville continued: “For me, I wouldn’t be spending £110-120million on Declan Rice if I was Manchester United this summer.
“I would spend £50 [or] £60million on Declan Rice but I wouldn’t be spending £100 or £120million which is what is being reported.
“Because I feel in that position, I still feel like he’s a lot of growth.”
Neville continued: “I think a holding midfield player, a player who sort of connects the back to the front and sort of links play, to me that feels like a cap of about £50-60million, £65million.
“It doesn’t feel like a £100m position.”
The TV pundit admitted Rice still has a long way to go to reach the levels of United ace Casemiro and Manchester City star Rodri – masters of the holding position.
Neville concluded: “I think he’s a brilliant lad.
“But I agree with some of Roy’s points that I think there’s a lot of growth and lot to do for Declan to do to get up to the levels of Casemiro [and] Rodri, players are playing at the tops of their games in those positions.” More