West Ham United have been heavily linked with moves for Brentford duo Said Benrahma and Ollie Watkins.
Self-isolating Soucek instantly exposes West Ham’s horrendous lack of depth
West Ham’s increasingly unpopular owners David Sullivan and David Gold told David Moyes he had to sell to buy this summer (Claret & Hugh).
Striker outcasts Albian Ajeti and Jordan Hugill were sold for a combined paltry £7.5 million.
But few saw hugely talented young star Grady Diangana being sold to West Bromwich Albion for just £18 million (whufc.com).
Diangana sale gives Moyes money to spend but causes mutiny
The decision to sell Diangana has caused uproar among West Ham fans. And it has also sparked a mutiny among players, led by captain Mark Noble, who has publicly criticised the owners.
What it does mean – if the owners are true to their word – is West Ham have at least £25.5 million available for transfers.
In the club statement announcing Diangana’s sale, West Ham stated Moyes will get the money to reinvest.
A host of sources have claimed the Hammers want to replace Diangana with Brentford’s attacker Benrahma (Evening Standard).
It is a move which has divided opinion given his similarity to Diangana.
West Ham linked with Brentford duo Watkins and Benrahma
West Ham have also been consistently linked with a move for Watkins (The Sun).
Speculation has since claimed West Ham are baulking at the Benrahma fee (Telegraph).
The trio scored a combined 57 goals as the west London club narrowly missed out on Premier League promotion last season and Frank acknowledges “there is no secret” the pair are attracting interest from a number of top-flight clubs.
And now Bees boss Thomas Frank has made it clear the pair are for sale and ‘deserve a move’ in a rare admission on Sky Sports.
Frank by name, frank by nature as Bees boss admits West Ham targets are for sale
“We know there are a lot of rumours about a lot of our players because we had a top season and have a lot of top players who also developed throughout the year,” Frank told Sky Sports.
“So it’s no secret that Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma are players that other clubs are interested in. And if the price is right then we are open for potentially selling them.
“Speculation will continue until the day they are not here or the window is closed and they deserve a move now if the price is right.”
Whether West Ham will match the valuation for either is doubtful.
The club made it clear the money will be used to strengthen ‘other areas of the team’ with defence believed to be the priority.