Rumours fly once more: Allardyce after more money?

As we head into the business end of the season, rumours are still rife about the future of West Ham manager Sam Allardyce’s Boleyn Ground future.

Despite confirmation from Allardyce and co-owner David Gold that a new contract depends on which division the Hammers are playing in, there is now speculation that Big Sam is holding out to see what next season’s transfer budget will be.

A few quoteless reports have suggested that Allardyce wants to know that he will be financially backed to make transfers in the summer. This means that if a contract is handed to him, he will not necessarily sign it without that assurance.

Allardyce has worked hard so far to shape a squad that suits him, but if he loses players in the summer he will understandably want suitable replacements. There is also still a question over whether Andy Carroll’s services will be forked out for, potentially leaving a big gap up front.

Of course, we can expect many rumours to arise over the next couple of months. This one may well have legs, it doesn’t seem too unlikely, but not too much should be made of it for now.

By Lucy Woolford

@lucy_whufc