So we smashed our transfer record by signing Andre Ayew for £20.5m. The signing had been on the cards for a long while as you would have seen by my coverage. I believe it is a great signing but a little strange considering we almost landed him on a free last year. We didn’t go through with the deal because we didn’t want to pay his wages as he was unproven in the Premier League. Now that he has evidence that he can play in the Premier League we were prepared to meet his wage demands and pay him as one of the highest earners at the club including bonuses alongside Payet.
The finances dictated that the club were pretty much left with the choice of Ayew or Bacca for the time being. It was Bilic’s choice to go for Ayew because he is more versatile and can play up top or on the wing and is proven in the Premier League. He is also a good four years younger than Bacca too and these reasons are the thinking behind the decision to buy Ayew. He has also been very keen to join us where as it has been well documented how difficult it has been to persuade Bacca to join the club. I would personally rather sign someone who wants to play rather than one who needs persuading. Part of the persuasion that Bacca required was £150k a week too, for five years taking him up to the age of 35, which would smash our wage structure. This wage structure would have been stretched with Sakho leaving but as it stands he is staying and therefore the wages are high. Bilic thinks that the remaining finances may be better spent elsewhere. The forward department is now covered by Carroll (who Bilic has a lot of faith in), Ayew, Sakho, Valencia, Fletcher (who I think has looked very talented) and the soon to be arriving Calleri. Calleri seems to be stressing a lot of people out, like all of our transfers; however, he will sign after the Olympic games.
Another thing that seems to be worrying a lot of supporters are elements of the new ground and the season ticket situation. I am told that the gaps between the stands will be completed by the Bournemouth game where there is also a key strategy for sitting and standing in certain stands. I am lead to believe more of the advertising boards and final touches to the stadium will be completed and of course you will have your season tickets. If you want to get the reaction from the game of our fans after the Juventus match then watch our fans video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZhSiLF5Mvc
There is a lot of other information that I could share in today’s column but with our radio show live tomorrow at 7pm on 98 fm, I need to save some information to talk about there rather than just repeating all that is in here. You can listen live to Phoenix fm here: http://www.phoenixfm.com/listen-live/ and we will post the links after the show too. We are covering a lot on transfers and answering the readers questions which I enjoy.
Thanks for your continued support for myself and the site and remember I simply bring the news as I understand it, so if it wasn’t what you want to hear I have no power to change that other than to not tell you! Anyway until the next column COYI.
Very informative thank you Ex
Like wise thanks for the info ⚒
Really feel we are gonna struggle for goals from our strikers this year. Ayew isn’t a striker as much as ppl wanna believe he is, just hope Calleri turns out to be the new Aguero. Carroll Valencia Sakho will notch up as many as last season which isn’t good enough and should have all been moved on in my opinion.
As always, to the point and factual information. I like the style and the calming influence this column has. I’d agree that Bacca is greedy and has a motivation at odds with squad culture instigated by Bilic. Would I have him at West Ham if money were no object? Sure given his calibre; but I’m no manager or director of the club and so others are better placed to know whether we need him, whether we can afford him and what impact (positive or negative) he might have on the culture of the club.
Andy Quinn
A KiwiHammer
I don’t own twitter but i visit your page most weeks (especially during the transfer windows). Just wanted to say thank you, you always try and keep everyone up to date and give the most accurate information you have and never made up stuff.
Also, I hope you don’t take this the wrong way but it was nice to see a little humility the other night (drunk or not) – the whole I deserve credit thing really don’t suit you… especially as everyone knows who the real ITK is 🙂
A Very good column .I was interested to read that you believe Sakho is still part of our plans.Getting him fit and then motivating to turn out again should be a challenge
What about Tores injury?
It was well publicised that tevez was offered 150k per week so why not bacca all this talk of pay structure is nonsense. How about a proper right back some one like sciglio he would cost lots but in my opinion would be money well spent.
Its very exciting the squad the stadium etc. But please bear a thought for the thousands of us who didnt get a season ticket. Membership only allows entry into a raffle for seats.
I use to attend upton park when work allowed since 1967 but i am now excluded.but i bleed claret and blue and thank god for t.v.come on you irons
Another very informative article EX, Keep up the very good & highly appreciated work.
Regarding a correspondents question about Tore.I saw on another site that he is expected back around 21st Aug.He did seem to go missing without trace pretty quickly though ,after I read that his injury was just a training ground knock and he would be available for the Domzale match which he clearly wasn.t.