West Ham United captain Mark Noble has publicly slammed co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold over the sale of Grady Diangana.
Two “major” defenders could sign for West Ham claims source close to owners
Diangana has completed a controversial move to West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee (whufc.com), believed to be £18m.
The skilful, pacy young attacker shone on loan with the Baggies last season.
Fans furious over Grady exit
And he was expected to form a key part of David Moyes’s plans to build a new-look exciting young West Ham side.
Indeed he showed his class setting up all three of Sebastien Haller’s goals in the pre-season win over Ipswich last week.
But just as the Hammers look to have finally found someone to supply their £45 million striker, he has been sold.
West Ham fans have been reacting with fury this week.
Noble slams owners for selling Diangana
And now West Ham skipper Noble has publicly hit out at Sullivan and Gold’s decision to sell in a short statement on Twitter.
“As captain of this football club I’m gutted, angry and sad that Grady has left, great kid with a great future!!!!!” Noble wrote on Twitter.
As captain of this football club I’m gutted, angry and sad that Grady has left, great kid with a great future!!!!! https://t.co/oNPPEp8Pt6
— MARK NOBLE (@Noble16Mark) September 4, 2020
Sullivan and Gold have been pleading poverty due to the global health crisis.
And in the club’s statement announcing the sale of Diangana the transfer was described as being ‘in the best interests of the club in order to strengthen other areas of the squad’.
It seems West Ham have been rather uniquely affected by the pandemic.
The global pandemic that seems to have uniquely affected West Ham
Particularly given most of the club’s Premier League rivals – and many Championship clubs – are active in the transfer market without having to sell the family silver.
West Ham supporters were already disgruntled with the owners, as proved by growing numbers at protests last season before the lockdown.
The Diangana sale appears to be the final straw for many West Ham fans.
Many are convinced Sullivan – widely recognised as the big decision maker at West Ham – is waging war on the club’s fans and selling Diangana out of spite.
And knowing supporters will not be around at matches in any great numbers for the foreseeable future.
Protests against him, Gold and Karren Brady and the hostility towards them from fans – much of which is of their own making – has driven a divide between the boardroom and terraces that looks beyond repair.
The captain hitting out at the owners. Top young players being sold against the wishes of the manager. A lack of squad depth despite a narrow escape from relegation last season.
A week to go until the new campaign begins. Only at West Ham.