Out of Luk: Irons likely to miss out on Chelsea hotshot

West Ham look set to be one of a host of Premier League clubs who will miss out signing Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku this summer, according to the Sun.

The Hammers were reported to have inquired about the 20 year old's availability and were told by Chelsea that no decision will be made on Lukaku's future until a new permanent manager is appointed to the Stamford Bridge hotseat.

However, the Sun claim today that Lukaku, who notched 14 goals on loan at West Bromwich Albion this season, is keen on a move to German outfit Borussia Dortmund.

The Bundesliga side finished 2nd in the league this season and face a Champions League final showdown with rivals Bayern Munich later this month, and with German football in the ascendancy, Lukaku is said to feel that his best opportunities may be abroad and looks likely to snub the Irons, as well as Swansea, Everton, Fulham, Aston Villa and Newcastle.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Swanning about: Welsh side close to deal for Hammers target Lukaku

Swansea are close to a season-long loan deal for Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, the Daily Mail are reporting this morning.

Reports yesterday linked West Ham with a move for the Belgium international, but the Capital One Cup winners look set to gazumph a whole host of clubs including Everton, Aston Villa and Newcastle and seal a move for the exciting 20 year old.

Lukaku has lit up the Premier League this season with an impressive 14 goals on loan at West Brom and looks set for another move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, with the newly-crowned Europa League champions expected to spend big on another striker in the summer.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Hammers eye £15m move for Chelsea star Lukaku

Reports this afternoon are linking West Ham with a big money move for Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, amid speculation about the Belgium international's future at Stamford Bridge.


Lukaku has been in red hot form for West Brom this season, for whom he has spent the season on loan, scoring 14 goals and firing the Baggies to a first-ever top half Premier League finish and is reportedly being watched by the Irons, Fulham, Everton, Aston Villa and Newcastle.

The news comes after widespread reports this morning that the Hammers are in negotiations with Liverpool over the permanent transfer of on-loan Reds striker Andy Carroll, and so the future of any deal for Lukaku, and of any deal for Wilfried Bony, Gary Hooper or Jordan Rhodes, all of whom the club have been linked with in recent days, is almost certain to be dependent on the progression of the talks with the Anfield club over Carroll, as the new Premier League financial regulations mean that signing the England striker would take a huge chunk out of the club's transfer budget this summer.

Chelsea striker Lukaku is expected to hold showdown talks with the West London outfit next week as he considers the next step in his career.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Altidore for 'ammers? Irons eyeing ex Hull striker

Rumour has it that the latest striker West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is looking at as a potential back-up for main summer target Andy Carroll is AZ Alkmar forward Jozy Altidore.

The USA international has struck an impressive 38 goals in just 67 appearances in Holland since signing from Villareal in 2011, and could be on the move again, with both the Hammers and Premier League rivals Aston Villa credited with an interest in the 23 year old.

Irons fans will remember Altidore best for a somewhat disapponting loan spell at Hull between 2009 and 2010, where he notched only 1 goal in 28 appearances, but the New Jersey-born forward has regained his form and is in much demand.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Fab Ab wants City assurances or will push for move- Irons on red alert

Reported West Ham target Abdisalam Ibrahim wants assurances from Manchester City that he is a part of their future, or he will look for a way out of the club, the Daily Star report today.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is a long-term admirer of the man dubbed 'the next Patrick Vieira,' and was accredited with an interest in the 22 year old in March.

Big Sam will, however, have to fight off competition for Ibrahim if he wants to land the Norway U21 international, with Premier League rivals Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Everton, Swansea, Aston Villa, West Brom and Fulham and Championship promotion hopefuls Brighton all reportedly interested in the midfielder.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Giant keeper after big move: Pantilimon set for City exit as Irons linked

Manchester City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon has today told the Sun that he wants to leave the Etihad Stadium- and the word is that the Boleyn Ground could be his next destination.

Blowing Bubbles exclusively reported to you in March that West Ham boss Sam Allardyce was keen on the 6ft 8 Romania international and now the 26 year looks set for a move away from Manchester.

"I am happy here at City but it is normal that I want to play- I am only young," Pantilimon said today.

"Everyone knows that after the season is finished, I will leave but [that] discussion will only come after the season is finished."

"It is important for my country as well as my career, because every time I speak to my national team manager [Victor Piturca] he says 'please try to play more'. My agent will discuss it with the manager and we will see what happens."

Pantilimon is now the fourth goalkeeper to be linked with the Hammers in recent days, after reports yesterday and on Tuesday crediting Allardyce with an interest in Aston Villa's Brad Guzan, Queens Park Rangers' Julio Cesar and Blackburn's Jake Kean.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Jeepers keepers: QPR's Cesar in Allardyce's sights

In another goalkeeper-related story this morning, rumour has it that as well as plotting a move for Aston Villa stopper Brad Guzan, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is keeping a close eye on QPR keeper Julio Cesar, who is also reportedly wanted by Arsenal.

R's boss Harry Redknapp told the Fulham Chronicle last week that he thought it was likely that the Brazil international had played his last game in a QPR shirt, with the club's relegation from the Premier League being confirmed last week, but that he would not be letting Cesar go on the cheap, saying: "he's a top Brazilian keeper and obviously he wants to play at the top- but you've got to get top value. He'll cost money."

The word is that Redknapp could be persuaded to part with Cesar for a fee in the region of £5m. The man himself, however, is said to be keen on a move on Italy and is feeling distinctly disenchanted with English football after a miserable campaign at Loftus Road.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Breaking Brad: Irons keen on Villa keeper Guzan

West Ham are eyeing a summer move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan, according to the Sun this morning.
The USA international has put in some impressive performances in a tough season at Villa Park and Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is reportedly ready to test Villa's resolve with an early bid for £5m-rated Guzan.

Allardyce himself has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal, but is said to have been in negotiations with the club and according to co-chairman David Gold last month, an announcement will be made as soon as Premier League safety is secured. Survival was last night secured after Sunderland's 1-1 draw with Stoke, and Allardyce is believed to be already planning for next season.

The Sun's story also states that Big Sam has made keeper Guzan 'his top transfer target' for next season- an interesting statement, given the recent speculation surrounding on-loan Liverpool striker Andy Carroll.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling