Report – West Ham launch bid for 53-cap int’l, asking price determined
West Ham are facing an interesting January transfer window this year.
With new manager David Moyes at the helm, the decision facing the board is whether to back him in the market and risk losing more money on poor investments, or to leave him with the squad he took over from Manuel Pellegrini in the hope that his coaching skills alone are enough to drag the Hammers clear of danger.
It would appear that those in charge of the pursestrings are erring towards the latter, although results thus far seem fairly mixed.
On the one hand, a deal for goalkeeper Darren Randolph looks to be on the brink of completion, as per reliable source ExWHUemployee.
On the other, it looks as if the Irons have hit an obstacle in their pursuit of Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen.
According to a report from Football Insider, the Hammers have made a bid for the 53-cap Wales international, but have not had it accepted by the Potters.
It is understood that the formal approach was in excess of £5 million, but failed to meet Stoke’s valuation of the player.
The article states that the Championship club are now looking for a fee closer to the £8 million mark to get a deal done, with West Ham potentially willing to meet that valuation.
And you can certainly see the pros of moving for Allen.
He may not set pulses racing in east London, but he has good Premier League experience and is far too good to be languishing in the doldrums of a Championship relegation battle.
So far this term he has averaged 2.6 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per match, as well as a Whoscored rating of 6.76 in the second tier.
All three of those numbers are higher than Mark Noble’s equivalent stats, as per Whoscored.
Especially as a covering option, he would be a shrewd acquisition, even at a price of £8 million.
In other news, ‘Joke of a player’ – These West Ham fans slam one player v Gillingham.