Sam's our man: Hammers in race with Spurs for £10m French starlet

West Ham are set to lock horns with fierce rivals Tottenham to win the services of Lyon defender Samuel Umtiti, according to the Mirror. The Cameroon-born youngster can play at centre half or left back and first came to the attention of Spurs after he scored a scorching equaliser in the Europa League tie earlier this season: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSIjm_qo4nM

The North London side will, however, face competition for the France U20 international's services, with the Irons now interested. Lyon want £10m for their man, but their perilous financial situation may well mean they are forced to sell at a knock-down prize and both clubs will be keen to capitalise during the summer transfer window.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Wilf wants England move: striker Bony reiterates desire for summer switch as Hammers lead chase

Vitesse Arnhem striker Wilfried Bony has made clear once again his desire to leave Holland this summer, telling Voetbal International that he wants to test himself at the highest level after a hugely successful season in the Eredivisie, and sees England as a "perfect" destination.

"If I go to England, that would be perfect because of the league, the atmosphere, basically everything. The French and German leagues interest me also, however."

This one could well drag on all summer right up until deadline day on August 31, with West Ham manager Sam Allardyce making clear his desire to sign England striker Andy Carroll, currently on loan to the club from Liverpool, on a permanent basis. The Reds are unlikely to settle for a fee of less than £15m; having splashed out a whopping £35m on the former Newcastle hitman in January 2011, they will be keen to recoup as much of their losses as possible.

Blowing Bubbles also understands that a deal  for Bony with London rivals Chelsea is close to being finalised, following newspaper reports last week that the Blues were set to gazumph West Ham to sign the Ivory Coast star. However, Sky Sports reports suggest today that the Irons are leading the chase for the 24 year old.

The Vitesse striker commented on the interest from the Hammers, admitting that he had "heard of the link" but stating that it was "nothing serious.. an option."

What do you make of the Bony story? Should West Ham go for the latest football sensation- or plump for England striker Andy Carroll? Give us your say in the comments below the article, tweet us at @Bl0wingBubbles or post a comment on the article on our Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blowing-Bubbles/407762685948414!

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Six of the worst ended: U18s back to winning ways

Steve Potts’ West Ham U18 side beat Wolves 3-1 on Saturday marking the end of a poor run of results.

The young Hammers had faced six games without a win, four of which were defeats, but the side are now looking up after a convincing win.

The scoresheet was an all Irish affair, with Eire U19 star Kieran Sadlier scoring twice and Northern Ireland U17 international Jamie Harney completing the scoring.

Sadlier could be one to watch, having now netted 10 times in 18 games for the U18s.

The win was the lads' first since beating Spurs on January 12th, and after sitting at the bottom of the U18 Premier League Tier One table now the Hammers can leapfrog West Brom with a win over the Baggies on Saturday.

By Lucy Woolford

Development Squad correspondent

@lucy_whufc

We can beat Liverpool: Collins

West Ham defender James Collins has told West Ham TV that the Irons can get all three points when they travel to Anfield on Sunday to face an in-form Liverpool side. The Hammers have not yet tasted back-to-back Premier League victories this season, but Wales star Collins says they can do it this weekend.

"We've been great at home this season and no matter who comes here, they know they're going to get a game. We beat Chelsea here and West Brom have had a great season but we turned them over as well." 

"It was a massive win and now we're full of confidence again and we're looking at that 40 point mark- we should have been there already, to be honest. We'll have a good week's training and head to Anfield looking to win." 

Great to hear such confidence from the centre half and here's hoping to ending the Merseyside hoodoo- no wins at Anfield since 1965, remember...

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Ferd time lucky: Rio in line for summer Boleyn Ground return

Academy graduate Rio Ferdinand could be set for a spectacular return to Upton Park, the Daily Star reported last night. With the club's move to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford confirmed last week, the Hammers hierarchy have a job on their hands to convince fans that the Irons can fill the 55,000 capacity ground, and the signing of established England international Ferdinand would show the football world that West Ham mean business.

Ferdinand is out of contract at Old Trafford, where he has played since signing for £29.1m from Leeds United in summer 2002, and is yet to open talks on a new deal. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is believed to be keen on the Peckham-born centre half and the 34 year old may well be tempted by a return home ahead of the move to Stratford in 2016.

This would essentially be a marquee signing, it would appear. Ferdinand is nearing the end of his career and now arguably has more commercial than footballing value.

This story has appeared before, but in light of recent events, it would appear to have more legs now. The Star's source states that "Sam knows that there is a lot of work to do ahead of the move to the Olympic Stadium, and having the likes of Rio in your side helps you to attract younger, better players." Definitely one to watch.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Hitman Carroll targets England return after "great day"

West Ham striker Andy Carroll has told of his happiness at his two goals against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday- and says that now, he wants his England place back.

The big striker had only scored three times all season for the Hammers prior to Saturday, but struck twice to inspire his teammates to a 3-1 success over the in form Baggies.

"I was putting myself about, which is what I like to think I'm about," the 23 year old told reporters.

"We've been playing well at home and I've been putting myself about, and I got my two goals so it was a great day." West Ham manager Sam Allardyce stated after the game that he will do all he can to tie Carroll down to the Upton Park club on a more permanent basis and backed his man for an international return, saying that "even as a substitute, Andy will cause problems at that level for any defence."

The big striker himself admits he is eyeing a place in the England set up, and said that despite not having started a game for England since the European Championships last summer, he will continue to work hard.

"I hope to play in every game for England but I haven't been picked- I just have to keep working hard for West Ham."

With his future up in the air at the end of the season, it's in Carroll's interests to produce his best form of the season in the remaining 8 games and convince the Irons to take a chance on him and tie him down to a permanent deal when the summer transfer window opens.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Stratford latest: Hammers to share Olympic Stadium with Spurs

In a shocking development on West Ham's move to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, news has just broken that the Irons will be sharing the stadium with fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The North London outfit some months back expressed an interest in moving to Stratford and now, after secret negotiations with the LLDC, will get their wish- but will share the ground with West Ham, and will play alternate home matches.

London Mayor Boris Johnson told Sky Sports News this morning, "it's a case of pro rata bonum omnibus, really! We in Britain are all about creating a lasting Olympic legacy and it seems unfair to limit that legacy to just one London football team, a splendid outfit though they are. My great grandfather was on the original Spurs board and so they have a place in my heart. The two clubs could well be the new Nerazzuri and Rosserini just like Inter and AC Milan and I'm very much looking forward to it. Toodle pip!"

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was unavailable for comment this morning, but according to sources close to the 59 year old, was heard at Chadwell Heath this morning shuffling around the training pitch muttering bitterly about "bloody pretentious North Londoners playing diagonal passes in Big Sam's Olympic Stadium." We'll give you some more on this as soon as we hear it...

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling