Jim White: West Ham owners ‘indignant’ following recent fan furore over Diangana transfer
West Ham fans have been enraged over the recent transfer of Grady Diangana to West Brom for a fee believed to be £18m.
However, the owners are doubling down on their justification over the sale of the winger.
talkSPORT host Jim White said he had spoken to a source close to the owners and that they are “indignant” over the furore.
Speaking on The Jim White Show (talkSPORT, Tuesday, 10am), White said he was told by the source that West Ham’s abundance of wide players was the reason for the sale, with the Hammers desperate to strengthen their defence.
White said, “A source close to the owners last night was in touch with me. In their defence, the source tells me there are eight or so players that could play on the wing. Grady Diangana was the only one they had an offer for and the owners are desperate to strengthen the defence.
“All the money the club generates stays in the club, the owners don’t get a penny. The source said Gold & Sullivan are indignant, they say they’ve made mistakes but that you don’t get anywhere without making mistakes. No takers for Lanzini and no takers for Anderson. There was an offer for Diangana.”
The £18 million transfer fee has been earmarked to help West Ham secure the services of Burnley centre back James Tarkowski, who Burnley have told the Hammers that they value at £50 million. [Sky Sports Transfer centre, Mon, 11.43am)
West Ham have had a bid of £27 million including add-ons turned down by Burnley, with it is currently unknown whether the East London club will return with a higher offer.
Bolstering the defensive options at the club is David Moyes’ top priority before the start of the new season.
West Ham conceded five at home to Bournemouth in a pre-season friendly which is a perfect example of why the Hammmers need to spend some money on their defence.
Moyes is currently expected to start with Fabian Balbuena and Angelo Ogbonna against Newcastle on the opening day of the new season, with Issa Diop injured.
Pressure continues to grow on the West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold following the sale Diangana to West Brom, with the first team squad reportedly angry with the transfer.
We’re not sure that this latest outburst is going to help win round any fans.
In other West Ham United news, Mark Noble reacts as the Irons confirm sale of Grady Diangana