Form recent reports it seems there may be room for cautious optimism in the winter transfer window. Not everything in the garden is rosy, by any means, but in terms of player selection at least, common sense might just about to break out again at London Stadium.
Putting aside the Chairman’s insistence on handling negotiations himself – which is a pretty big dampener on any window if Sullivan’s underbidding and lowballing sets the agenda – in terms of the selection of who to buy and who to sell at least there is a more balanced approach being shown by EspÃrito Santo at this early stage with still ten weeks to wait.
The reported stance on Luis Guilherme now needing to be sold, along with utility player Andy Irving seems eminently sensible: There is little point in having approaching £20 million of player sitting ‘parked’ without an intent to use them. Both deserve an opportunity to progress their careers and if West Ham’s manager won’t use them – time to move them on.
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Nuno turns away from has-beens in the January window
The biggest boost to my outlook, however, came from the Claret and Hugh exclusive article confirming that Nuno will not be dipping into the market for his old (literally) favourite Adama Traore. Five years ago the forward might have been a good proposition but would now just continue with the Hammers’ failed strategy of overpaying for past-it players. Ditto Chris Woods.
Finally, at last. Has the penny dropped? Can David Sullivan be prevented from reverting to type, though, and signing another Salthouse-proffered Callum Wilson-type past-it player in January, just because that’s what he likes to do?
You know, under Nuno, I suspect he might.