So this evening we were all informed from Sky Sports News that West Ham had opened discussion with Rangers for top goal scorer Jelavic to make the move down south to our boys in claret and blue. Ever since the news had been broadcasted, tweeters went crazy. Adzman immediately contacted his famous ClungeWhu and tweeted that we WILL bid for Jelavic on monday. This fee is believed to be around the £9m mark.

Now Jelavic undoubtedly has an incredible goals per game ratio with the scottish outfit scoring 30 goals in 44 appearances since arriving at Rangers. Before this he scored 25 goals in 75 games for Rapid Vienna so it is clear that with age, he is improving. At only 26 years of age and stands at 6ft 2inches tall, he would certainly strike us all as a player Big Sam would identify. But is he worth £9m. In the short term, I would say undoubtedly yes. In the long run, I cant be completely sure.

The Scottish League in my opinion is a very similar standard of play to the Championship. And with his record of goals, he would certainly do the business up top to get us the goals we need to get promoted. However, IF we are to gain promotion, either automatically or via the dreaded play offs, will Jelavic rise to the occasion and be the Demba Ba type player for us on the big stage. Anyone remember Savio Nsereko. We payed a similar fee for that young lad who we were led to believe would be a superstar. And look what happened. I don’t blame him as a player but the club for investing such a high amount for a player with no premiership experience. Will be very interesting to see how Jelavic would cope if he were to sign for us.

In other news, Adzman has further stated that an offer of £5m from Stoke for Tomkins was immediately rejected with Tomkins set to sign a new 5 year deal with a high increase in his wage package from £14,000 a week to £34,000 a week.

With all this said though, is Jelavic really worth £9m??? Discuss….

Bradley Palmer

Update 19:58: West Ham have been quoted £9m from Rangers for Jelavic and WILL bid on Monday. Owners are going all out. Jelavic seen as a player for the future.

Update 18:44: Sky Sports News yellow tocker (Breaking News) is reporting that West Ham and Rangers are holding talks over striker Jelavic but no bid has been made. What a cracking signing that would be. His goal scoring record is brilliant. Id imagine the fee for him would be between £6-7m. Now some will question why not pay that for Rhodes. Simple answer is that Rhodes is a league 1 player who hasn’t proven he can do it in the Championship. The scottish league in my opinion is a reflection of the championship and Jelavic will get goals. Without question. Discuss…

Okay, I’m back. After much frustration as to finding out who the player was we had our bid accepted for, it turns out that a bidding war has begun with ourselves and another championship club for the services of Watford striker Sordell. I was told an offer was accepted which has sparked interest from other suitors to get involved and the club are now looking over each other. Seriously baffling stuff!!

In other news, it would appear that no offer has gone in for Rangers striker Jelavic after widespread reports had claimed a £6m bid had gone in.

Adzman reckons we are still after Andy Johnson (how many strikers are we going for!!) but Fulham won’t accept a loan offer which is on the table from Whu.

It would also seem that the much hoped deal for Celik didn’t turn out as the club wanted as he is off to Rangers.

Not much to report at the moment but will keep on top of all events. Those doubting my source is false…I’ll give you a clue…he’s an ex West Ham player, still has connections with the club and talks to playing staff, manager and owners…was in the World Cup 1966 and happens to be a relative of mine…anyone know who??

Bradley Palmer

Update 20:35: Adzman has stated on twitter that we have offered for both Rhodes and Sordell, £5m for Rhodes and £3.5m for Sordell, this all came after Jack Sullivan, DS son confirmed we had bid for two striker and expect to sign one in next 7 days or less. Ever since, I have hammered into my source who quickly confirmed the news but could not say the exact amounts to me. Big Sam had given up on the deal but DS and DG are doing everything within there power to get Rhodes. Further news, that my source has reported, is that Celik would like to speak to us and that his agent is currently dealing with all matters. Expect news soon!

Confirmation of our interest in Rodriguez. My source has now informed me that an undisclosed offer believed to be in the region of £2.5-3m has been submitted. Watch this space.

9:26 Update: My source has told me that we have not enquired for Man Utd striker Diouf as of yet but is a player on the clubs radar. At the moment though, we are continuing to look at other option. A second bid of £2.5m has been rejected for Sordell, Whu now mulling over wether to return to Watford with a third bid. Burnley’s striker Jay Rodriguez also firmly on our radar.

Those who are on twitter can follow me @bradley_whufc to keep on top of all updates and news as and when I receive it.

20:00 Update: Massive rumour flying about that we are set to sign Diouf. No, not El Hadj, the young striker from Man Utd. It is being mooted that a loan deal is lined up until the end of the season. I haven’t received any info myself on this but will be sure to check it out. Thoughts guys…

16:34 Update: Guardian running story that we are interested in taking Villa midfielder Fabian Delph on loan.

Okay, so we are halfway there and have currently completed only the one deal this month with centre back George John joining on an initial 2 month loan with a view to a permanent switch. We remain in the hunt for at the very least 1 further addition but are hoping for two more players to arrive before the close of the window later this month.

It appears that Maeda who had a successful trial, regardless to widespread reports that he didn’t do well, could not agree terms on a deal which would have seen him join Whu. I’m told Big Sam was very impressed with the Japanese born striker but the player failed to agree on the terms in place and has now travelled back to his present club. That deal I can now confirm is dead.

Talksport have today run a story linking us with Yannick Sagbo, a striker who I honestly don’t know a great deal about. He is the half brother of Guy Demel and Big Sam has confirmed that we have watched him play but no further than that. Keep a look out for developments on this one.

My source this morning confirmed our interest in Burnley striker Jay Rodriguez and also Watford striker Marvin Sordell with bids in for both players, that being a second bid of an improved £2.5m for Sordell. We currently await an answer in regards to both players. Reports regarding Sharp’s transfer collapse to Leicester have currently come to nothing as no further offer from Whu has gone in as of yet. I’ll let you know if that changes.

Celik, a wide player who is currently a free agent is still hoped that a deal can be struck but there has been no further developments on this at the moment that I can report.

January is certainly proving to be an extremely difficult window to attract players into the club but I can assure fans that Whu are trying there very best to get the players in but it hasn’t been easy. They remain optimistic though that a few deals can be done soon. Keep on the look out!

On a side note, anyone else see Karen Brady on Sky Sports News today. She has spoken out saying that we may opt against putting a bid in for the OS and instead stay at Upton Park and try to push plans ahead for redevelopments to the ground. Well DG said on twitter that this was a no go. Will be very interesting to see what goes on there.

Bradley Palmer

COYI!!!

I am being informed that an offer of £3m will go in for Watford’s Striker Marvin Sordell after a £2.2m was recently rejected. The club are hoping that this will tempt Watford into selling.

Another player I am told the club are monitoring is Burnley striker Jay Rodriguez. A very young and talented player who could be an excellent addition to the club. Only an enquiry made so far with no official bid on the table. Watch this space.

The report saying Wolves had signed Piquionne was unfortunately off the mark. However, the club are looking to offload both Piq and Sears and are prepared to use both as makeweight in any potential deals.

The only done deal I can confirm is that George John completed his switch to us from FC Dallas for a 2 month loan with a view to making the move permanent if it goes well. I would like to say welcome George and I wish you the very best of luck.

As always, I will keep you informed as and when I receive any information or am able to put up the transfer gossip for debate.

Three points today, not pretty nor comfortable but we remain joint top and now have a four point cushion. Keep the faith and lets push on from this and go on a run of wins.

Bradley Palmer

COYI!!!

Reports that claim Piquionne has signed for Wolves are completely off the mark. Freddie still remains a West Ham player though we are trying to offload him. If anything changes, I shall keep you informed.

Lets hope for 3 points today in what I think will be a very difficult fixture.

If I receive any other transfer news or read any other gossip, you’ll be the first to know.

Bradley Palmer

COYI

1954: Adzman on twitter seems to think that Watford are willing to sell Sordell at the right price. He reckons that’s about £4m they want. Is a fairly reliable source.

14:15 George John Done Deal

14:00: Moose a big West Ham supporter reckons deals for both Celik and Maeda will be concluded next week. As far as I have it is that Maeda is looking very impressive in training and an offer in on the table along with 3 others for Celik…4 offers in total. Ill let you know as and when I get any confirmation. Celik would be a great bit of business and Maeda appears to be doing very well.

13:15: A recent post of mine in last fews days, Corluka deal is 100% dead. Player failed to pass the medical due to a foot injury and wanted more money than he was on at Spurs. Deal therefore collapsed.

12:24: George John deal to be announced within the next few hours.

Rhodes deal is dead in the water as Huddersfield refuse to do any business and won’t allow the player to speak to us. Rhodes himself is keen to talk to the club but Huddersfield refuse to negotiate despite an offer of £4.5m cash up front being offered from Whu.

West Ham have today turned their attention to Watford’s striker/winger Sordell who has done well and shone for a struggling Watford this season scoring 10 goals so far. An offer of £2.2m has been put in but has of this morning been rejected, though West Ham are set to return with another offer for the player.

An offer is also on the table for Mervan Celik who is a free agent and plays as a winger, scoring 18 goals in 68 games from 2008-2011. He is only 21 years old and has been recognised as the best prospect to come out of Sweden for a long time. He currently has 4 offers on the table for him and is mulling over each of them. West Ham remain confident that a deal can be struck with the player.

As for Kevin Davies which has had much speculation, an enquiry was made but thats as far as its gone and no formal discussion has been ongoing with both clubs or the player. Not anything in that one at the moment!

We currently have a Maeda on trial who has started training today. He is a Japanese striker with a very impressive goal scoring record. So far he has shone in training showing signs of super pace and sharp turns. The player himself is desperate to impress and earn himself a contract with West Ham United.

The one player who does look certain to sign is George John, a young American defender who currently plays his trade for FC Dallas and has been a star playing for them. He fits the bill as to what Whu require at the back and could be a very shrewd bit of business. It is a loan deal subject to a permanent move if he proves successful. This should be announced imminently as all parties have agreed the deal.

I will keep you posted as and when I receive further updates.

Bradley Palmer (Braderz)