Official Transfer rumours and gossip thread

[Sydney_Iron]

"The window is open for all clubs in Europe's top five leagues on Monday, January 1st 2024 and closes on Thursday 1 February 2024. In England, the window will close at 11pm (UK time) Players linked in Andr?© Trindade (MF) - Fluminense Jonathan Tah (CB) - Bayer Leverkusen Dan Axel-Zagadou (CB) - Stuttgart Serhou Guirassy (Str) - Stuttgart Akor Adams (Str) - Montpellier Hugo Ekitike (Str) - Paris Saint-Germain Ronnie Edwards (CB) - Peterborough Ian Maatsen (LB/LMF) - Chelsea Kyle Walker-Peters (RB) - Southampton Players signed Kalvin Phillips - Man City (Loan) Linked out Benrahma Kehrer - Monaco Ings - Southampton Cornet Nayef Aguerd Fornals Players confirmed out Kehrer - Monaco (Loan) Kriszti?°n Hegyi - FC Den Bosch(Loan) Gideon Kodua - Wycombe Wanderers (Loan) Conor Coventry - Charlton spacer"

[Tomshardware]

"Philips will improve us, him and Alvarez in centre mid could work."

[Tomshardware]

"Philips will improve us, him and Alvarez in centre mid could work."

[fraser]

Kylay - I'd definitely prefer Paqueta in the middle but alongside Phillips over JWP every day for me.

[LJC]

Yeah option to buy included. In discussion with three young fullbacks and that bloke from Leeds. Reckon this might turn out ok you know.

[stubbo]

"IMO Bowen takes a better corner than JWP does. Maybe not a better direct freekick, but how many of them have we had this season? I like the player, like his attitude, but from what I've seen he doesn't warrant a spot in the side for his non-direct dead ball delivery. Hit's the first man at corners too often and his deep corners are too high and loopy. With Phillips in, get him alongside Alvarez and Paqueta...proper tough tackling midfield with some nastiness about it...and get Bowen, Kudus and a striker worthy of the name in front of them."

[kylay]

"fraser 5:23 Tue Jan 23 No, as I stated, Paqueta can replace Soucek. I don't think Phillips is much of an upgrade if any over Paqueta. I don't think Paqueta is as effective in the 10 role. He's strong enough defensively to provide cover, and a lot of his assists come from forcing turnovers and hitting the opposition on the break."

[Rossal]

"Confirmed now from various journos clause inserted If we sort the other positions, then surely very good January business from us"

[Rossal]

Fabrizio and Orstein reporting Phillips is done deal Covering full wage Fab saying buy option included Ornstein saying their isn't

[fraser]

I would drop JWP but would need a left winger so Paqueta could go in the middle.. Or a centre forward so Kudus could go into the middle..

[BillyJenningsBoots]

I think if we do get Phillips he only way he can be included is if we go 433 JWP Alvarez Phillips Kudus Bowen Paqueta with front 3 playing basically where they like so Paq can drop in the hole behind Bowen and Kudus and roam where he likes...

[Rossal]

"onsideman 5:38 Tue Jan 23 Yeah I wouldn't be that upset to bench JWP, think he is best in the 10 role for us and no way he gets in there ahead of Paqueta. The set piece assists don't seem as often start of the season and I think when he plays with Soucek the pair of them pass backwards and forwards so much with little ball carries....thats a big contribute to why our possession is so low But yeah, your probs right with no signings and square pegs round holes rest of season"

[onsideman]

"So you're benching Ward-Prowse Rossal? My guess is he'll be thinkng a 3 of Alvarez, Ward-Prowse and Phillips, with Pacqueta permanently marooned out left and no new left winger nor new centre forward"

[Willtell]

“ Soucek's best role would be as a last 10min sub if we are chasing a goal” ——————— I’d have thought CB would be his best position. He plays midfield like a CB anyway….

[Rossal]

"Agree we need strengthening elsewhere first, but lets still not turn our noses up at a fairly recent England player of the year coming to us with a point to prove to get into this summers squad"

[Rossal]

"Phillips and Alvarez as a pairing would be very strong. Arguably one of the best outside of the big 3 or 4 With Paqueta in the 10, hopefully that LW position is sorted out as the following leaves us very strong for 2nd half of season Bowen (TBC) Paqueta Kudus Alvarez Phillips"

[Alan]

Locko looks good Locko Youtube spacer

[fraser]

You think Phillips is only marginally better than Soucek FMOB

[kylay]

"I don't see how Phillips' absurd cost justifies the marginal improvement he might bring while we have gaping holes elsewhere on the pitch. It would be typical for us though. If we want to bench Soucek, Paqueta can easily fill in there as he's not really a winger and IS an 8. He's also better than Phillips. Much rather we tried to have at least one 9 on the team and put Bowen on the left with Kudus on the right, although Emerson wouldn't have much cover then."

[LJC]

So we are in talks for two young right backs and a young left back? Good stuff.

[Fauxstralian]

Soucek's best role would be as a last 10min sub if we are chasing a goal If it is to be Phillips hopefully that means we would retain the ball better and increase our possession of said ball

[Alan]

"Get French Football West Ham in talks to sign Brest’s Bradley Locko According to Foot Mercato, West Ham United are in talks with Stade Brestois over the signing of full-back Bradley Locko (21). Locko has played in every Ligue 1 game for Brest this season. Eric Roy’s side are flying high in France’s top-flight and are currently in third, just one point behind second-placed OGC Nice. France U21 international Locko afforded Roy’s side defensive solidity (fourth-best defence in Ligue 1), but he is also an asset going forward, even if that isn’t represented in his statistics, with the Brest full-back registering just one assist so far this season. Locko’s Marseille move seemingly off Locko had been linked with a move to Ligue 1 rivals Olympique de Marseille, however, OM are now seemingly closing in on the signing of FC Nantes’ Quentin Merlin, which signals an end to their pursuit of Locko. However, Locko could still get a move this month. West Ham have opened discussions to sign the defender. The deal being discussed is for a permanent transfer, however, Locko would potentially remain with Les Pirates on loan until the end of the season, before joining up with his new teammates at the London Stadium in the summer."

[Sir Alf]

"Phillips has to replace Soucek most of the time. Soucek getting 5 or so goals in 2,seasons in that little spell a couple of months ago is not enough to pick him although, he definitely has value in a true Alamo / backs to wall game against the very best possession teams. Yes of course Moyes plays that way all the time but as mentioned Phillips carries the ball more than Rice did and was used that way by Waistcoat. Yes he covers too but unlike Soucek he can play football and carry the ball , pass accurately and over a distance. He’s also strong and got more pace than all our midfielders even though I realise that is a low bar. The issue is the deal not that the player, once fit, won’t improve us. But if it helps get us in Europe again it will be worth it. If not a waste of money but better to try as West Ham history is the opposite generally. Wide left is the next priority as Cornet, who I hoped might have something to offer, doesn’t look to have the strength and quality despite a goal last time out. Of course we need a RB and as always a CB but they will probably have to wait until he summer ?"

[Sir Alf]

"Phillips has to replace Soucek most of the time. Soucek getting 5 or so goals in 2,seasons in that little spell a couple of months ago is not enough to pick him although, he definitely has value in a true Alamo / backs to wall game against the very best possession teams. Yes of course Moyes plays that way all the time but as mentioned Phillips carries the ball more than Rice did and was used that way by Waistcoat. Yes he covers too but unlike Soucek he can play football and carry the ball , pass accurately and over a distance. He’s also strong and got more pace than all our midfielders even though I realise that is a low bar. The issue is the deal not that the player, once fit, won’t improve us. But if it helps get us in Europe again it will be worth it. If not a waste of money but better to try as West Ham history is the opposite generally. Wide left is the next priority as Cornet, who I hoped might have something to offer, doesn’t look to have the strength and quality despite a goal last time out. Of course we need a RB and as always a CB but they will probably have to wait until he summer ?"

[zico]

"Not over keen on players who are here to ""do you a favour"" but times have changed and the chances of Paqueta, Kudus and Alvarez being Hammers or Life are slim. Last time we had a player here on loan who wasn't keen on a permane4nt move was Lingard and that worked out ok for 6 months! Phillips is an upgrade on Soucek,. Phillips (if fit), Alvarez (if fit) and JWP is a pretty decent midfield and gives us another option if we get any more injuries in central midfield."

[fraser]

"Phillips played as a box to box more than a DM for England in front of Rice, he obviously replaces Soucek. The fact that Soucek plays there means we're anything but strong there. You only have to watch our last two games overrun by Bristol City and Sheff Utd.. He easily improves us if he hits form."