Latest News

Manuel Pellegrini maintains that his squad is still far from complete - just nine days ahead of the closure of the summer transfer window.

The window, which traditionally closes on 31 August (or the nearest Monday) will close three weeks earlier this year after Premier League clubs chose to amend the deadline date.

That leaves Pellegrini just NINE days in which to assemble a squad - which the manager admits will be a difficult task. "We want to make sure we don’t make a mistake in the make-up of the squad," he told the club's website.

Embed from Getty Images


"It depends which players will not remain at the club and also on the options we have to replace them. The sporting director and myself, as manager, have to work very hard to be absolutely sure that we have the squad that we need for the Premier League."

One player it seems that Pellegrini is keen on luring to Stratford ahead of the deadline is Celta Vigo forward Maxi Gomez, with reports suggesting that the La Liga club have rejected a £27million bid from the Hammers (Evening Standard).

Embed from Getty Images


The highly-rated 21-year-old Uruguay international is valued at the £35million mark by his club, for whom he scored 17 goals in 39 appearances last season. Gomez also appeared in two of his nation's World Cup appearances, versus Russia and France.

Pellegrini, who is seeking to strengthen his forward line remains interested in Porto's 27-year-old striker Moussa Marega although there has been little movement since he was first linked with the Hammers.

Embed from Getty Images


* Meanwhile, further reports (O Jogo) suggest that David Sullivan's son is currently in Portugal in order to speak with representatives of Porto regarding the potential transfer of winger Yacine Brahimi - although the player himself is said to prefer a move to one of England's major clubs.

* Central defender Reece Oxford, who is one of those considered to be surplus to requirements featured for Terry Westley's Under 23s in a 4-0 pre-season win at National League side Billericay Town on Tuesday evening.

West Ham's goals in a one-sided affair came from Sean Adarkwa (2), Jahmal Hector-Ingram and Joe Powell.

* Something to say about this story? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.