Remy speculation heightens

By Michael Matthews

@Matthews_Journo on Twitter

The Loic Remy to West Ham rumours have been turned up a notch after further reports today linking him with a move to East London.

Having missed out on signing Colombian forward Duvan Zapata owing to work permit difficulties, West Ham have turned their attention to Remy, who scored six goals in the Barclays Premier League last season for QPR after arriving at Loftus Road in January.

The R's have admitted they may sell the French forward this summer, with an early figure believed of £7 million being touted, with the exact figure of Remy's release clause not yet known. Newcastle are also thought to be interested in the striker.

Norwich join chase for Anderlecht cruncher Kouyate

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling on Twitter

West Ham will have to fight off competition from three Premier League rivals if they want to sign Senegal defender Cheikou Kouyate, say the Times.

Big spending Norwich are the latest side to be linked with the defender, who yesterday declared himself open to a move to England, amid report interest from Newcastle, Southampton and the Hammers. French sides Lyon and Marseille are also said to be keen on Kouyate. 

Kouyate: I want Premier League move

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling on Twitter

Anderlecht star Cheikou Kouyate has admitted his desire to play in England, amid reported interest from a number of Premier League clubs including West Ham.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Senegal international said: "We are all ambitious. I want to move in my career- if I improve then big clubs from abroad will come in for me."

The powerful centre half attracted the attention of Arsenal last summer and has a number of English suitors a year on including the Hammers, Newcastle and Southampton.

Kouyate appeared to state a preference for a move to Tyneside but reiterated that he is keeping his options open, saying: "Newcastle could be great as well but let's see."

Hammers eye Anderlecht star

West Ham are said to be keeping an eye on Senegalese defender Cheikhou Kouyate, who has impressed for Belgian giants Anderlecht this season.

Boss Sam Allardyce is a long term admirer of the 23 year old and began keeping tabs on him after his impressive performances for his country in the Olympics in London last summer.

Reports in Belgium claim that Kouyate is set to leave the country this summer, with a number of clubs interested in acquiring his services.

The centre half's agent Tedir Bekir today confirmed interest from English clubs that are believed to include West Ham as well as their Premier League rivals Newcastle and Southampton.

He told La Derniere Heure: "I won't give any names, but Cheikhou has contact from clubs in the middle of the table in England."

"He hasn't made a choice yet. The right balance between the sporting challenge, family and finances has to be found."

Dynamo Kiev are the other club rumoured to be interested in Kouyate, who can also play as a defensive midfielder.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Hammers 'hopeful' over Carroll

West Ham have high hopes of landing England striker Andy Carroll on a permanent deal from Liverpool, according to co-chairman David Sullivan's 13 year old son.

Jack Sullivan tweeted this morning, 'There will not be a decision with andy Carroll for 2 weeks [sic] as he is on holiday but we are still very hopeful to sign him #COYI #WHU #whufc'.

Sky Sports revealed on Wednesday that the two clubs had agreed a fee for the 24 year old, believed to be an original £12m, which could rise to £15m depending on clauses, such as appearances made and goals scored.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, meanwhile, told the Guardian the same day that 'it's one of those situations where it will probably be resolved a lot quicker than that [than the situation over Carroll's future at the start of the season, culminating in the striker's loan move to Upton Park] for both parties.'

The newspaper also claimed that the former Newcastle hitman is having doubts about a permanent move to East London and would be potentially keener on a return to the North East. However, this may not be an option as the Magpies have yet to make a formal bid for the striker, and a player-plus-cash deal that could have seen Newcastle midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa move to Anfield appears to no longer be on the cards, with Rodgers' interest in the France international having cooled.

Young Sullivan also revealed on Twitter that the Hammers are looking at a back up option, should Carroll turn down a permanent move to the club. In response to a tweet from a fan saying 'please tell me your dad is aware we need another striker, not just Carroll?' Sullivan replied 'yes a back up'.

The Irons have been linked with Vitesse Arnhem's Wilfried Bony, Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku and Blackburn's Jordan Rhodes in recent weeks.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

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

Carroll 'close' to £12m Hammers move

West Ham are closing in on a permanent deal to sign on loan Liverpool striker Andy Carroll, the Express are reporting this morning.

The big striker's future has been the subject of almost daily speculation for the past couple of months, but now it looks like a deal could be done in the near future, with Reds boss Brendan Rodgers said to be keen to offload the England forward and the Merseyside club believed to be open to negotiation on the transfer fee for Carroll, who set Liverpool back £35m when they signed him from Newcastle in January 2011.

West Ham are understood to be the only club currently in negotiations with Carroll, with former club Newcastle thought to be priced out of the market by their ex striker's £90,000 a week wages. According to the Express, the powerful no. 8 is 'desperate' to stay at the Boleyn Ground, having forged a close relationship with manager Sam Allardyce.


Hammers co-chairman David Sullivan stated last week that talks would begin soon with the 24 year old over a permanent switch to Upton Park and negotiations have opened and are believed to be progressing smoothly. Liverpool are understood to be willing to take a significant loss on Carroll, with a £12m bid from West Ham believed to be the offer on the table, although club sources indicated earlier this month that the Hammers are would be prepared to up their bid to £14m.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Pard-on? Newcastle boss says he wants to sign Irons target Remy

West Ham will face serious competition if they want to land Queens Park Rangers striker Loic Remy this summer, according to the Daily Star.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is a known admirer of the pacy frontman who has been a shining light in a dismally poor QPR side since signing in January, and the Irons were linked last month with a move for the France international.

However, reports last week suggested that London rivals Arsenal are also keen on the former Marseille star and now Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has registered his interest in Remy for the second time, having tried to sign him in January.

"He has great quality and we need to bring in two strikers this summer- I'm not going to dismiss a player like him," Pardew told the Star.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Big Sam best manager in the Premier League, says No 2 McDonald

West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald has hailed the work of his boss Sam Allardyce this season and called for the 59 year old to be named manager of the season.

Speaking after Saturday's 0-0 draw at home to Newcastle that leaves the Hammers just one win away from mathematical Premier League safety, McDonald praised Allardyce's achievements this season and backed him to walk away with the award at the end of the campaign.

"At the start of the season, publicly we were talking about survival, but privately we were targeting the top ten," McDonald told whufc.com.

"We broke the season down into small goals and most of the time we achieved those goals. If we set a target for top ten and we achieve that, I don't see why Sam shouldn't be a contender for manager of the season."

Defensive consistency has been the key to the Irons' success this season, and Saturday's shut-out against the Magpies was the side's twelfth clean sheet of the season- the club's best defensive top flight season since achieving the same numebr of clean sheets in the 2008/2009 season.

Manager of the year might be a bit much, but Allardyce certainly deserves credit for the organisation and consistency he has brought to the club, and fully deserves the new contract which should be coming his way any day now.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Collins content with clean sheet in 'hard' game

West Ham defender James Collins has told whufc.com that he is happy with his side's performance against Newcastle on Saturday- and the clean sheet to go with it.

The Welsh international stated that although the game "had that end-of-season feel to it," he felt that the Irons' performance merited the point they earned.

"To get through that [the game] and not concede, we're very happy with. In the second half we were a lot better and we were unlucky not to get a goal," Collins said.

"Newcastle are a tough, physical side like ourselves and we knew it was going to be a hard game.. we're just happy [Papiss Cisse's shot that was cleared off the line by Winston Reid] that was the only real chance they had in the game."

On next Saturday's trip to Everton, the former Villa cruncher was equally as stoical.

"They're a side that's full of internationals and have a great squad- it'll be a tough game because they're having one of the best seasons they've had for a long while.. if we can keep playing the way we have then I'm confident we can get a decent result there."

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Carroll "much more than a target man" and deserves England chance- McDonald

West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald has praised on loan striker Andy Carroll ahead of tomorrow's Premier League clash with Newcastle United at the Boleyn Ground, and has said that the 24 year old will be "licking his lips" at the prospect of facing his former club.

"Andy will be desperate to score against Newcastle and keep up his fine run of form," said McDonald.

"When you're in form, you should be considered for England and Andy is more than just a big lump, and he would give England much more options than just a big ball over the top. He has excellent control, inter-link play and of course is fantastic in the air."

Recent reports have intimated that a good performance on Saturday for Carroll could see a return to the England squad for the big striker, with England coaches including Roy Hodgson's No 2, Ray Lewington, expected to be at the match tomorrow.

"You might think that he's difficult to work with, but he's a very unassuming young man who has done fantastically well considering he is in the spotlight all the time and is working hard and trying to learn."

On Carroll's future at the end of the season, McDonald echoed the feelings of his boss.

"It is a pleasure to work with Andy, I think he is enjoying life in London, which has been reflected in his performances, and if we can get him at the end of the season, that would be great."

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

No deal for Rat, says McDonald

West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald has this afternoon rejected recent reports that Romanian international Razvan Rat has agreed a deal to sign for the Hammers.

"It's all hearsay and rumours at the moment, without mentioning any names," said McDonald today, addressing the press ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Newcastle United.

Rat's agent last week was widely quoted in the Romanian media as saying that his client was on the brink of a move to East London, but no deal as such has been agreed, according to the Hammers' assistant manager.

McDonald did however admit that the Irons are in the process of securing signings this summer, saying that "the recruitment process has been ongoing for some time, since January I suppose, in order to get some competition in to make sure we go onto the next level."

In other words, this one is very much still on. More on this as we have it.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Macca reveals Allardyce motivational methods and expects 'tough' game on Saturday

West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald has spoken to the press ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Newcastle United at the Boleyn Ground, and says that the players are raring to go in the penultimate home game of the season.

"I think we've had a fantastic season so far- we'd have snapped both your hands off [to be in the league position the team are currently in] and to be in a position where you're almost safe is great."

"Andy Carroll is really looking forward to the game. He and Kevin Nolan have some fantastic memories from their time at Newcastle and they're really looking forward to the game."

McDonald remained cagey on Carroll's England future, however, refusing to directly answer a question regarding reports this morning that the striker will be under keen observation from England manager Roy Hodgson's coaching staff on Saturday.

"I think they should [keep a close eye on Carroll.] He's in good goalscoring form and and his contribution to our play and interlink play has been really good and I think that's reflected in our results."

The assistant manager, however, could confirm that the Irons have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday's game, stating that "we've almost got a fully fit squad to choose from, there's nothing new, so there's good competition for places."

The main revelation of the press conference related to manager Sam Allardyce methods of motivating the players. McDonald revealed that Allardyce has used the 'carrot' incentive method in recent weeks.

"He's done that once this season [telling the players that if they win on Saturday, they don't have to train until Thursday] and we had a fantastic response, physically their [the players'] levels, their workrate and intensity, go up, so it does work. As long as they're not abusing their bodies, to have a little break means they come back fresh."

On Winston Reid's new contract, McDonald waxed lyrical about the defender.

"It's a brilliant boost. He's been our most consistent defender this season and he thoroughly deserves his new contract. From when we came here two years ago, there has been a vast improvement in all aspects of his game. Maybe he could get a few more goals from set pieces, but on the whole he's been tremendous."

The assistant manager's verdict on Saturday's opponents was that despite their poor season, Saturday will be no cakewalk for the Irons.

"They're on the verge of getting involved in the relegation battle but I think they'll come here, try and keep a clean sheet and snatch a goal on the counter attack. Personally I think they've got enough points [to stay up]; they're going through a little sticky patch at the moment and I'm sure they'll come through it, just after Saturday!"

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling