Shopping list: Sam Allardyce is looking at a number of options to strengthen West Ham's attack
Hammers weigh up value of short-term deal of Nuhiu after top target Carroll's injury woe
West Ham are considering a short term deal for free agent Atdhe Nuhiu.
The 6ft 6ins striker is seen as someone who can provide cover for Andy Carroll who, should he agree to join from Liverpool, will likely miss the start of the season with a heel injury.
Nuhiu, 23, has been on loan from Rapid Vienna at Turkish side Eskisehirspor. British clubs first noticed him in 2010 when he scored in Rapid Vienna's 3-2 Europa League defeat of Aston Villa.
Manager Sam Allardyce is also among the frontrunners to take Romelu Lukaku on loan but Chelsea may yet opt to keep the young Belgian rather than loan him out again.
on big sams radar? atdhe nuhiu.
Razvan Rat, a Good Deal to Open the Summer Transfer Business!
So, it appears that the club have been quick out of the blocks to secure their first summer signing. Razvan Rat is a very experienced left-back, who is an accomplished Champions League and international performer. As such, he significantly strengthens our defensive options and is definitely an upgrade on the existing options at left-back. Presumably, the reliable George McCartney will be retained for a further season as cover, whilst the promising Danny Potts establishes himself in the first team squad? With Demel signing a recent contract extension and the useful Joey O'Brien available at right-back, that is likely to be the full-back positions sorted for next season. Although that supposes that there is no substance to the stories linking us to a move for Newcastle Utd's pacy right-back, Danny Simpson. It also begs the question whether Jordan Spence will figure in Sam Allardyce's plans next season?
So, what will be our next incoming deal? The speculation is rife, as always at this time of year. In poll position are the reports that West Ham have moved quickly to agree a £15m fee with Liverpool for Andy Carroll. The reports are obviously correct in stating that this potential deal is key to the direction that the club's summer transfer dealings take. If Carroll signs then we will have secured a player around which the rest of the transfer dealings will be moulded. If it does not happen then we will have to first move very quickly to find and sign an alternative. And that is easier said than done! Personally, I think it possible that Carroll could agree a 2 or 3 year deal at the club. He is ideal for Allardyce's system, seems to fit in very well at the club and is virtually guaranteed first team football. At 24 years of age, time is on his side, and he has the latitude to enhance his reputation at West Ham and then reconsider his options in 2 or 3 years time, when at 26/27 years of age he will still be approaching his peak as a player. The complicating factor, of course, is the lack of European football next season. But if the club can convince Carroll, that there will be a concerted investment and push to achieve that next season, all may not be lost.
The other intriguing rumour is that West Ham are actively seeking to secure Romelu Lukaku on a season long loan. On the face of it, the deal looks unlikely, but much will depend upon how Chelsea's incoming manager views Lukaku's readiness for first team duty? One would think that Lukaku had more than proven himself at WBA last season. But Chelsea do have a strong squad and further expensive signings (including Ronaldo, according to some sources) are bound to follow. As such, Chelsea may choose to put Lukaku out on loan for another season. If so, West Ham will be looking to get the bounce on WBA and Swansea. The variable factor is whether a overseas club might just put in a high enough bid to tempt Chelsea to sell outright. Rumour has it that Brossia Dortmund could put in a bid and the player may be open to the move. Regardless, there is no doubt that Lukaku, with his pace, power and goal scoring ability, would be a major addition to the squad, whether in conjunction with Carroll or as an alternative. Similarly, Wilfred Bony would also be an excellent signing, but he is likely to be targeted by Newcastle Utd, now that they have reportedly given up on the chase for Andy Carroll.
Reports have also emerged this morning that West Ham may be interested in signing 6ft 6in Rapid Vienna striker, atdhe Nuhiu. The promising 23 year old has been on loan from Rapid Vienna to Turkish side Eskisehirspor, but will be a free agent this summer. With Carlton Cole's departure, Nuhiu could be ideal cover for Carroll and, particularly at the beginning of next season, when the England striker is likely to be side lined with his current heel injury. There has recently been some speculation that we may sign Peter Crouch from Stoke City. At 32 years old, it could be argued that Crouch's best days are now behind him. He might be an effective 'stop gap' acquisition,but there is always a temptation to view that type of signing in a slightly negative light. I guess we will just have wait and see on that one? Personally, if we are going to sign a striker of that vintage, I would prefer a bid to QPR to sign Bobby Zamora.
In fact, it will be interesting to see if we sign any of the better players from the relegated sides, QPR, Reading or Wigan? There have been various stories about West Ham being interested the likes of Loic Remy (probably a non-starter), Shaun Maloney, Arouna Kone and even Noel Hunt. Of these (and Remy aside), Maloney would probably be the best addition, because he is arguably exactly the type of creative midfield play maker that we need to add to the current squad. The Scottish international midfielder was outstanding at Wigan last season and could very well do a job for us.
Finally, we must add the necessary extra quality to the squad to ensure that there is no question of 'second season syndrome' afflicting us. Both David Sullivan and Sam Allardyce have made it clear we need to bring in better players in order to progress as a club. So, we must wait to see how that is acted upon in terms of our transfer policy this summer. It should be interesting and, as stated, we have got off to a good start with Rat's signing. I also have high hopes that some of the youngsters, such as Chambers, Moncur and Lee, can also 'push on' and add to the first team mix. And that is the ideal situation that most fans would like to see, West Ham progressing not only by making the necessary quality signings, but also via more of our talented youngsters making the break through in to the first team squad.
SJ. Chandos.
Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic is wanted by newly promoted Monaco after they were turned down in a bid to lure Vincent Kompany from Manchester City. The 29-year-old has been recommended by coach Claudio Ranieri to Russian owner Dmitry Rybolovlev.
Daily Mail
The French club are also prepared to pay £51m to sign Atletico Madrid's 27-year-old Colombian forward Radamel Falcao, who had been linked with Chelsea and Manchester City.
Daily Star
Liverpool are determined to fight off a £40m bid for Luis Suarez from Real Madrid. The 26-year-old tops the Spanish club's shortlist of strikers because he is cheaper than Napoli star Edinson Cavani, who has a £52m get-out clause.
The Sun
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy's determination to hold on to midfielder Gareth Bale, 23, is set to be tested by a £65m bid from Real Madrid.
Daily Mail
Swansea City are leading the race to sign Real Betis starlet Alejandro Pozuelo. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder, who has made 11 senior appearances this season is being mentioned as a star of the future.
South Wales Evening Post
Midfielder Michael Essien is set to follow Jose Mourinho back to Chelsea. The 30-year-old is on a season-long loan at Real but has one more year to run on his Chelsea contract.
The Sun
Newcastle have made enquiries about signing Sporting Braga's Portuguese striker Eder, 25.
Daily Mail
Bayern Munich are trying to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, 24. The Poland international played for Dortmund in their Champions League final defeat against Bayern at Wembley on Saturday.
Daily Telegraph
Malaga playmaker Isco, 21, says he may leave the Spanish club. He is a transfer target for Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Metro
Arsenal midfielder Arsene Wenger has admitted his interest in signing Lyon's 22-year-old midfielder Clement Grenier.
Daily Mirror
Chelsea winger Florent Malouda, 32, is a target for French side Lyon. Malouda did not make a single appearance for the London club this season and his contract expires next month.
The Sun
OTHER GOSSIP
Everton will have to pay up to £5m to get Wigan boss Roberto Martinez to replace David Moyes as the Toffees' manager.
Daily Mirror
Martinez is set to tell Wigan chairman Dave Whelan he wants to leave the Latics and take over at Goodison Park.
The Sun
Ex-Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle is set to return to football by taking over at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolves sacked former boss Dean Saunders following the club's relegation to League One.
Daily Star
Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell, 22, says the club's fans will see the best of him next season after he played only 15 times for the club in an injury-hit campaign after his move from Everton.
Daily Mirror
Former Watford chairman Sir Elton John is set to take his son Zachary to his first match on Monday to see the Hornets face Crystal Palace at Wembley.
Daily Mirror
GLOBAL GOSSIP (sourced by BBC Monitoring)
Manchester City could offer Bosnia striker Edin Dzeko, 27, in part-exchange for Napoli forward Edinson Cavani, 26. Real Madrid are also said to be interested in the Uruguayan.
Corriere Dello Sport (Italian)
Juventus are interested in signing Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez, 29, and Fiorentina attacker Stevan Jovetic, 23.
Tuttosport (Italian)
Bayern Munich's outgoing boss Jupp Heynckes would "love to go back" and manage Real Madrid, according to his agent Enrique Reyes.
Marca (Spanish)
Bayern Munich players celebrated their Champions League triumph by cutting up bits of the Wembley goal nets to take away as souvenirs of their victory.
Metro
David Beckham has bought his mother and mother-in-law £30,000 Audi Q3 cars to say thanks for their support during his career.
The Sun
not suitable for ageing hammer
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