‘Immediate worry’ Martin Samuel’s big transfer claim will bring West Ham fans back down to earth. West Ham United have completed some truly stunning transfer business already this summer.
Julen Lopetegui came into the London Stadium like a whirlwind, making eight fantastic new signings for West Ham. However, the Spaniard’s transfer attention could turn elsewhere now, with his priority said to be balancing the books and moving on some of the deadwood.
However, there could still be one or two more new arrivals as well. For now though, getting some of the big wages off the books will be key to our hopes of seeing further new signings. Clubs cannot act without impunity in the transfer market anymore, after stricter new PSR regulations were brought into play.
So what is the current state of play for West Ham? Martin Samuel has offered a slightly worrying perspective on our summer actually. Big transfer claim will bring West Ham fans back down to earth. Kurt Zouma is being heavily linked with a move out to the UAE this summer.
He failed a medical ahead of his proposed move to Shabab Al-Ahli, but is said to be still deep in talks with the Dubai club trying to find a compromise. Whether or not he ends up leaving the London Stadium this summer is still very much up in the air. However, a top journalist has just shared a hugely concerning potential twist regarding Zouma.
When writing a column for The Times, Hammers supporting football journalist Martin Samuel touched upon Zouma’s current situation at West Ham. Samuel offered a completely different take on the matter, and explained his own unique perspective.
He said, “West Ham United have summered well, according to most observers, because they have added good players to the squad under their new head coach, Julen Lopetegui. Yet, a few days ago, the captain Kurt Zouma failed a medical with the UAE club Shabab Al-Ahli.“
“Time was, that would be a setback, a frustration. Given West Ham’s expenditure, however — and, remember, doing business early is supposed to be the mark of a smartly run club — the immediate worry is that the failure to get the well-paid captain off the wage bill could affect calculations when it comes to the Profitability and Sustainability Rules.“
I love Samuel’s work in general. However, I can’t help but feel like he is catastrophising here somewhat. I have absolutely no doubts that Kurt Zouma will leave West Ham before the transfer window closes, even if we have to release him on a free.
I get what Samuels is saying, but he is ignoring the fact that six players have already left the club this summer, and the likes of Danny Ings and Maxwel Cornet could yet move on as well. I’m sure that David Sullivan wouldn’t be recklessly spending without any concern for the trouble that awaits if the rules are flouted.
It’s worth remembering that we sold Declan Rice for £105 million last summer as well, and that counts as all profit as he came through our academy. West Ham are in a strong position financially, and I just think that Martin Samuel has created needless concern with his above comments.
