West Ham and Manchester City historically enjoy very good relations on and off the pitch but it’s starting to be tested to the limit.
West Ham and Manchester City have enjoyed a close bond down the years.
The Hammers and Man City are two clubs very much of the working class. They may not have too much in common nowadays, but historically the Premier League rivals have spent much of their existence living in the shadows of rivals.
They also share something else in common after West Ham and Manchester City were both crowned champions of Europe last summer.
There was a love-in between Hammers and City fans too when West Ham lost 3-1 at the Etihad on the final day of last season to ensure Arsenal did not win the title.
West Ham and Man City have longstanding friendship
The friendship between the clubs and their fans dates back to a famous game between the Hammers and Man City in 1987.
Fitting perhaps then that new West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui and his Man City counterpart Pep Guardiola are close pals too.
There is an increasing feeling around West Ham, though, that Man City are starting to take liberties with the good relations.
Reflecting on his side’s 3-1 victory at the London Stadium, Guardiola likened the West Ham match to a pre-season game.
Now Man City are pushing West Ham relations to breaking point after a new revelation.
Man City push West Ham relations to breaking point
It was announced last week that young striker Divin Mubama, who snubbed a new contract to walk out on West Ham this summer, had signed for Man City.
An example of the good relations between the clubs came in the fact the Hammers and Man City agreed a £2m compensation deal without the need for a tribunal.
Mubama followed in the footsteps of fellow former Hammers academy stars in joining Man City.
Jamal Baptiste was taken for nothing after he was let go by West Ham. Had things worked out the Hammers would not have received a penny for the one-time hot prospect England youth centre-back dubbed the new Rio Ferdinand.
Last summer highly-rated young West Ham starlet Divine Mukasa – an England youth star – was also lured to Man City, as reported at the time by Fabrizio Romano.
Mega rich champions steal yet another Hammers academy star
Now Manchester City are at it again.
Romano has revealed that the Premier League champions have completed deal to sign Xavier Parker from West Ham for their academy.
There had been rumours about Parker being lured to the Etihad.
But it has now been confirmed.
Romano states Man City see midfielder Parker as having potential to be a future first team star.
Is it any wonder clubs are shutting down their academies when you see things likes this.
Manchester City are one of the richest clubs in world football. They can essentially buy who they want and pay them what they want.
Yet here they are taking advantage of their good relations with West Ham to rob the original Academy of Football of some top talent.
How to lose friends and alienate people
There’s nothing wrong with players having belief in their ability.
But do Musaka, Mubama and now Parker really think they have more of a chance breaking into the Man City squad long-term than West Ham’s?
You have to wonder who is advising some of these young players nowadays.
It should also not be forgotten Man City have tried to sign and as a result unsettled established stars too.
They wanted Declan Rice and have twice tried for Lucas Paqueta. And there are already rumours Man City might want Mohammed Kudus next summer.
Yet when West Ham had a deal agreed to sign Cole Palmer, Man City pulled the plug the moment Chelsea came in with a slightly better offer.
Man City are quickly losing friends in east London with their actions.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
