Rival manager shuts down reported West Ham swoop
West Ham United have failed to make too much of a splash in the January transfer window so far, aside from re-signing goalkeeper Darren Randolph.
However, they have certainly been linked with a host of big-name moves. The biggest, though, might be Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley.
The Daily Mirror reported earlier this week that Hammers boss David Moyes wants a loan move to reunite him with his former Everton charge Ross Barkley.
Blues manager Frank Lampard was quick to shut down any talk of Barkley leaving on Friday, though.
“There’s no talk here of Ross Barkley going anywhere; he’s our player,” he said, as per The Independent.
“He’s played the last couple of games and done very well. I’ve got a lot of faith in Ross. That was news I heard just like everyone else, but there’s absolutely no feeling towards that here. I’m very happy with him.”
That’s this move done, then, right?
It certainly looks like it, doesn’t it? Lampard was about as unequivocal as can be when quizzed on the midfielder’s future.
Obviously Barkley’s not been a regular starter for Chelsea this term but, as his manager says, he’s come in in the last few games and done very well.
The Blues are still in the Champions League, and so they’re naturally going to be opposed to letting a valuable squad player leave this month.
In other West Ham news, co-owner David Gold has admitted that the club have not made enough progress of late.