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Hammers Target £50m Solanke in Summer Spending Spree

West Ham United are set to splash the cash this summer as they target Bournemouth’s in-form striker Dominic Solanke in a deal potentially worth £50 million.

The Hammers are well aware of their weakness in attack and are actively seeking reinforcements ahead of the summer transfer window. Our struggles in front of goal this season have been a cause for concern.

Solanke isn’t a new name on West Ham’s radar. The club reportedly expressed interest in acquiring the England international last summer as well.

This season, Solanke has been nearly unstoppable. He boasts an impressive tally of 19 goals and 4 assists in 36 appearances across all competitions, making him a highly sought-after striker.

Transfer competition

West Ham aren’t the only club interested in Solanke’s services. Their London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, are also reportedly keen on signing the prolific striker, according to various websites. This competition could drive up the asking price.

Solanke’s recent contract extension with Bournemouth in September 2023 strengthens the Cherries’ negotiating position. This could potentially inflate his transfer fee come summer. While Bournemouth are eager to keep Solanke, they are reportedly open to considering substantial offers. However, that will only be if the player himself desires a move away from the south coast club.

A hefty transfer fee of around £50 million is believed to be what it takes to convince Bournemouth to part ways with their star striker. West Ham will need to decide if Solanke’s goalscoring prowess justifies  such a significant investment.

 

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Hammers in Harmony Crisis

 

Let’s face it our beloved club finds itself at a crossroads. Moyes has undoubtedly brought a level of stability to West Ham, steering them clear of relegation anxieties and into European competition. However, his brand of football, while effective, is often seen as lacking in flair. The question facing the club’s hierarchy is this: do they stick with the devil they know, or gamble on a new manager who promises excitement but with no guarantee of success?

Hammers in harmony crisis

 

Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan believes the fans’ frustrations are legitimate. In an interview, Jordan suggested that the West Ham owners have the right to ask Moyes for a more attacking style. However, he cautioned against the potential downside – sacrificing results for flashier football could backfire.

Jordan speculated that Moyes might counter by highlighting the club’s progress under his leadership and the potential risks associated with a drastic change in philosophy.

While some fans remain grateful for the stability Moyes has brought, others are yearning for a more progressive approach.

Thomas Tuchel, the recently sacked Chelsea manager is known for his attacking tactics. Tuchel’s experience and potential compatibility with West Ham’s new transfer guru, Tim Steidten, make him a tempting option.

The growing frustration among fans is undeniable. Could a manager like Tuchel capitalise on Moyes’ groundwork and deliver the attacking football fans crave, while still maintaining a level of success? Only time will tell if West Ham will decide to shake things up or remain in a state of “Hammers in Harmony Crisis.”

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West Ham in Race to Keep Versatile Defender

West Ham United face an uphill battle to retain defender Ben Johnson, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

Fed Up Hammer_Ben Johnson played himself into first team contention

Irons want to keep Johnson

According to GiveMeSport, West Ham are still trying to negotiate a contract extension with Johnson, but they may be too late.

Crystal Palace are reportedly confident of signing Johnson on a free transfer. The Eagles believe Johnson is highly unlikely to stay with West Ham beyond the summer.

Johnson was linked with a move to Leeds United in January, but the transfer never materialised.

Despite not being a regular starter, Johnson has proven himself as a dependable utility player under David Moyes. He has played effectively in various defensive positions and even featured in more attacking roles this season.

West Ham’s chances of convincing Johnson to stay seem slim. The club may be forced to accept losing the versatile defender for free this summer.

Whether it is his agent turning the young mans head or he is genuinely unhappy, it will be a shame to see him go

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Moyes bullish ahead of daunting task

In yesterdays pre match press conference , David Moyes still believes that the Irons can bring an end to Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak, which has seen Xabi Alonso’s side end Bayern Munich’s era of dominance in the Bundesliga.

Moyes tells fans to support Phillips_David Moyes_Press_Conference

Moyes still believes !

 

He went on to say..

‘You have to say we went to Leverkusen and it got to the 83rd minute before they scored the first goal. It might take us that long before we can do it, but we have to have that patience and that level of trying to find a way of winning the game, or certainly getting a couple of goals in front at the end of 90 minutes,’ Moyes explained in his pre-match press conference.

‘We’ll try to do it, we’ll do everything we can, but we have to be mindful of how we do it and not be over-exposed. We did a job at Leverkusen for long periods, but obviously we couldn’t quite see it through.’

‘I think we should give them respect. We’ll do our best on Thursday night to not give them too much, but ultimately they deserve the respect because of the results.’

‘Normally, it’s towards the end of the season that the biggest games come,’ . ‘If you’re playing big games at the end of the season it means you’ve been relatively successful because you’ve got to play good teams [to keep progressing].’

‘When you’re getting words like quarter-finals, semi-finals, it’s exciting. Obviously the final is what you want to get to, and win it, but you have to go through the process to get there. It will be a difficult, difficult game, but one we’ve got belief that we can find a way to try and make it.’

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West Ham Target £25m Striker as Antonio Replacement

West Ham United are reportedly set to prioritise the signing of a new centre-forward this summer, with Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri once again emerging as the leading target.

David Moyes acknowledges the need for a long-term solution to replace the aging Antonio. The 34-year-old Jamaican remains a crucial part of Moyes’ system, but his declining fitness levels necessitate a successor.

West Ham are prepared to make a £25 million bid for the 26-year-old Moroccan striker, according to reports from Diario de Sevilla. En-Nesyri boasts a strong track record, having scored 68 goals in 189 appearances for Sevilla. This translates to a better goal-to-game ratio than Antonio’s record with West Ham.

West Ham fans are already familiar with En-Nesyri, having faced him during the 2021/22 Europa League campaign. Moyes himself has been tracking the striker since January 2021.

En-Nesyri’s work ethic, channel running, aerial prowess, and technical ability are all qualities that align perfectly with West Ham’s attacking style. He provides a significant upgrade on Antonio’s limitations.

With a reported £25 million price tag, the transfer seems feasible for the Hammers. If successful, this acquisition could propel West Ham to a new level as a team.

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Out of Europe: Rice should have stayed at West Ham

Declan Rice and Gooners dumped out of Europe 

Maybe Declan Rice should have stayed at West Ham? Poor old Dec has departed The London Stadium with a European winners medal around his neck but may now be facing a trophyless season following his £105 million move to Arsenal.

I’m joking, of course, well, half-joking at least. I’m sure the former Hammers captain is delighted with his move to North London. Unfortunately for the Gunners, they have been knocked out of the Champions League by a Harry Kane-led Bayern Munich – ouch!

This will be new territory for Rice, who is used to reaching the semi-finals of European football at the very least at West Ham. He could, of course, win the Premier League title for the first time, with Arsenal poised in second place, having lost 2-0 to Aston Villa last weekend.

Declan Rice-European trophy

Out of Europe: Declan Rice can at least console himself with the fact that he is already a European champion

Rice is a fine player who I’m sure will have a glittering career. He’s already captained England and I’m sure will wear the armband at Arsenal one day. It was a bad night for Rice and Arsenal, but it was possibly a worse night for English football in general.

The Gunners’ defeat to Tomas Tuchel’s men, as well as Manchester City’s loss on penalties to Real Madrid, is bad news for the Premier League. The UEFA coefficient standings mean it’s highly unlikely England will be offered an additional European place next season unless West Ham and Liverpool can turn around deficits in their Europa League quarter-finals.

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Possible line ups

West Ham United face a daunting task in their Europa League second leg against Bayer Leverkusen, with a string of injuries casting a shadow over their preparations.

19-year-old George Earthy, who made his Premier League debut against Fulham, suffered a worrying head injury after colliding with teammate Edson Alvarez. While he’s thankfully out of the hospital, he’ll be unavailable for tonights crucial match.

Lucas Paqueta and Emerson Palmieri are also out due to suspensions, further hampering David Moyes‘ options. Defender Dinos Mavropanos is also a doubt after struggling to finish the last two games.

In stark contrast, Leverkusen has just one injury concern – striker Adam Hlozek. They boast a strong attacking line with Boniface and Patrik Schick, while the highly-rated Florian Wirtz is expected to return after his impressive hat-trick as a substitute.

Manager Xabi Alonso has a wealth of talent to choose from, with the potential return of full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo adding firepower. Exequiel Palacios could also replace Robert Andrich in midfield.

West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Zouma, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Coufal, Alvarez, Soucek, Ward-Prowse, Johnson; Kudus, Antonio

Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:
Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Stanisic; Frimpong, Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Adli; Boniface

 

 

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West Ham Face Herculean Task

West Ham United prepares for a seemingly insurmountable challenge as they host Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final. The Hammers face a daunting 2-0 deficit against a Leverkusen side that appears unstoppable.

Fresh off their Bundesliga title win, Leverkusen boasts an intimidating record. They are unbeaten throughout the entire 2023-24 season and have progressed from every European tie where they held a multi-goal lead in the first leg. Their recent 5-0 thrashing of Werder Bremen further showcases their dominance.

West Ham, on the other hand, is in a precarious position. They have lost their last two games and managed only one win in their past six. Their home record in 2024 has been poor, and they haven’t fared well when facing a two-goal deficit in European competitions. While they did achieve a comeback victory against a Bundesliga team earlier in the Europa League, their current form paints a contrasting picture.

Leverkusen’s success can be attributed in part to the leadership of manager Xabi Alonso. His decision to remain with the club has reaped significant rewards, culminating in their first-ever Bundesliga title.

A monumental upset win for West Ham would secure them a coveted semi-final spot against either Roma or AC Milan. However, achieving such a victory against the in-form Leverkusen seems highly unlikely.

The stage is set for a David vs. Goliath battle. West Ham, the underdog, needs a miraculous turnaround if they hope to overcome the seemingly invincible Leverkusen machine.

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Big Sou hasn’t given up yet

Bayer Leverkusen, having clinched their first-ever Bundesliga title in 120 years and currently on an unbeaten streak of 43 matches this season, face West Ham United in a critical UEFA Europa League quarter-final match. Despite Leverkusen’s formidable form, West Ham’s Tomáš Souček is optimistic about overturning the two-goal deficit from the first leg, drawing inspiration from past triumphs under the London Stadium lights.

The Hammers are set to battle it out on their home turf after suffering a 2-0 loss at BayArena, where late goals by substitutes Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface tipped the scales in Leverkusen’s favour. Souček recalls the unforgettable atmosphere during a previous encounter against Sevilla, where the support from the fans played a pivotal role in a memorable comeback. “The atmosphere was the best I’ve ever heard. It was a night to remember,” Souček reflected on the Sevilla match, emphasizing the impact of the home crowd.

West Ham once again relied on Tomas Soucek and luck to beat TSC Backa Topola

Soucek is banking on a loud London Stadium to roar the Hammers to victory

This is a special game

Looking ahead to Thursday’s match, Souček remains hopeful, citing the team’s resilience and the unique energy from the fans during European games. “We notice a difference with the fans on European nights. We feel the atmosphere even during the warm-up, and it pushes us,” he said. The Czech midfielder is no stranger to European challenges, having reached the semi-finals in a previous season and experiencing both the highs of victories and the lows of near misses.

The match also holds particular significance for Czech football fans, as all five Czech internationals still active in the Europa League and Champions League represent either West Ham or Leverkusen. Souček and Vladimír Coufal will don the Claret and Blue, while their compatriots Matěj Kovář, Adam Hložek, and Patrik Schick play for Leverkusen. “This is a special game for Czechs. I think every Czech in England will support West Ham, and every Czech in Germany will support Leverkusen,” Souček noted, highlighting the divided loyalties among Czech fans.

As the second-leg tie approaches, the excitement builds not just in London, but in pubs and restaurants across Prague and the Czech Republic, making Thursday’s game a significant event for Czech football supporters worldwide. Souček hopes that the spirit of past glories and the support of the fans will lead to another remarkable evening at the London Stadium.

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How to watch West Ham v Leverkusen

The UEFA Europa League heats up this Thursday (April 18th) with the second leg of the quarter-finals! Two Premier League sides, Liverpool and West Ham, are still in the running, but face daunting tasks in their respective ties.

West Ham given next to no chance

Liverpool: Trailing 3-0 to Atalanta, Jurgen Klopp’s men travel to Italy needing a near-miraculous comeback in his final season as manager.
West Ham: Down 2-0 to Bayer Leverkusen, the Hammers will aim to utilise their home advantage and potentially a resurgent Jarrod Bowen to overturn the deficit.

Other Quarter-Final Clashes:

Roma vs. AC Milan
Marseille vs. Benfica
Where to Watch the Action (UK viewers):

TNT Sports, the successor to BT Sport, is the exclusive broadcaster of the Europa League in the UK. They will air all the second-leg matches on Thursday, April 18th:

Atalanta vs. Liverpool: 7:00 PM on TNT Sports 1
West Ham vs. Bayer Leverkusen: 7:30 PM on TNT Sports 2 and TNT Sports UHD

Or if you are out and about it will be on 5live

Enjoy the game !