West Ham Till I Die
Comments
The S J Chandos Column

Are Carlos Bacca's transfer options diminishing?

The potential signing of Carlos Bacca from AC Milan has certainly turned in to something of a long running saga. The fee has been agreed with AC Milan, but the personal terms package offered to the player by the Hammers allegedly remains on the table. It is clear that Bacca and his advisers have been stalling in responding to West Ham’s offer, in the hope that a Champions League qualified club will make a 11th hour counter bid/offer. This was amply demonstrated by Bacca’s comments that his ‘dream’ was to play in the Champions League competition. That statement represented a very clear ‘come and get me’ declaration to alternative suitors.

If that was the plan then the latest indicators are that it has not worked. The president of Atletico Madrid has publicly stated that the club are not interested in signing Bacca; while the anticipated bid from Arsenal does not (to date) appear to have materialised. At the same time AC Milan are apparently pressurising Bacca to move to East London, as they are dependent upon the fee to finance their own summer transfer dealings, which are currently on hold. So, that appears to leave Bacca with a sole option, West Ham and the Olympic Stadium! This is reflected in yesterday’s report in Italian publication, Gazzetta dello Sport, that Bacca has ‘timidly reopened negotiations with West Ham about a potential move.’

It may be that the Hammers end up signing Bacca almost by default. The question is whether it is a good thing to sign a player for £26m in those circumstances? The worst case scenario is that the player is reluctant to be at the club and this is reflected in his attitude and performances next season. The alternative view is that Bacca is a professional and once he joins that club he will give 100% to the cause and do everything that he can to make the move a success. Certainly, on signing, Bacca’s personal success and that of the club become indivisible, so hopefully the latter, positive scenario will prevail. There is also the possibility that like many new players before him (most recently Payet) Bacca will quickly learn what the club is all about and become enamoured with our project. And his distinct part in that project will be to supply the c.20 goals to help fire the club in to a top four PL finish in 2016/17 and qualification for the 2017/18 CL competition. Thus, realising his declared ‘dream’ at the OS, the season after next.

There have been other reports that West Ham are interested in Toulouse striker Wissam Ben-Yedder. This may be true, but it could be that this is viewed as lining up an alternative if the Bacca deal cannot be completed. The same may also be true with regard to the club’s reported inquiry about the availability of Deportivo La Coruna striker, Lucas Perez. This speculation, and the links to numerous targets, is likely a consequence of the club putting out multiple feelers or, as David Gold put it, having ‘many irons in the fire.’ Only time will tell whether these proposed deals have substance? Although I have to say that Ben-Yedder does look a very good option and is well worth a punt. He is 25 years of age, entering the final year of his current contract with Toulouse (so the fee will be reasonable) and last season he scored 17 league goals in a struggling team. That poses the tantalising question: what could he achieve in a better quality side?

One deal that does now appear to be moving to completion is an agreement to take Jonathan Calleri on a season long loan, presumably with a view to a permanent deal next summer. The good news is that Calleri has just been granted his Italian passport, which eliminates the need for a visa application. It was delays in granting this passport that scuppered previous overtures by Inter Milan to sign the striker. This is potentially a very good deal and one that could really work out well for the club. Although, if it happens, we have to hope that both he and Lanzini come through unscathed from their impending involvement in the Argentine Olympic football squad!

Social media is getting very excitable about alleged interest in Reece Oxford from the two Manchester club and (don’t laugh!) Tottenham Hotspurs. There may be an element of threat from Manchester, although Oxford would be very ill-advised to gamble on a move to City (which has been a grave yard for young English talent) or a United managed by Jose Mourinho (a manager who arguably does not have a track record of promoting youth). As for Spurs, they rejected Oxford as a school boy and coming from the other side of north London he reportedly has little affection for the Spuds. I know money often talks, but I think we can safely dismiss their chances! No, the Hammers must respond by getting in to serious negotiations to sign Oxford on a new long-term deal. He is far better off negotiating a new contract to stay at the club and continue his development here. At 17 years of age, time is firmly on his side and there is no footballing imperative to seek a hasty transfers at this early stage of his career. At the same time, there must be a recognition by the club’s management that Oxford needs more first team game time this coming season and that should be a priority.

Indeed, the club’s involvement in the Europa League competition is a golden opportunity for the club’s youth players. There will obviously be a number of cross-overs, especially if we reach the latter stages of cup competitions, but the club need to almost operate two sub-squads in which one core set of players pre-dominate in the PL campaign and another in the Europa League and domestic cups. Certainly, Slaven Bilic will need to skilfully manage the rotation and deployment of his squad next season and that will mean increasingly utilising the club’s young players. That is a certainty and those youngsters (if they are not loaned out) must be ready to step up to the plate and take their first team chances when they come. That in turn, is the route to forcing their way in to the core PL sub-squad and giving Bilic some very nice future selection headaches!

Finally, if the club are successful in recruiting replacement strikers, then it looks as if Sakho and Valencia will exit the club this summer. Both are being kept until the said deals are completed. I particularly regret losing Sakho, as he is a centre-forward that I rate highly. I always liked the way he led the line, linked up play and did the hard work, in running the channels, as well as converting his share of chances. Indeed, If pushed, I must admit that I probably preferred him leading the line, but things move on and if a parting of the ways is necessary, it is necessary. As long as ‘continuous improvement’ results in us securing better quality replacements. That is the ultimate ‘bottom line’ as far as I am concerned.

However, in the case of these two specific players it might be tempting to try to prioritise outgoing transfer deals with overseas clubs, to guarantee that they do not come back to haunt us next season! Lazio want Valencia and Sevilla and Hamburg are allegedly interested in Sakho, so (as long as the fees are acceptable and, obviously, the players agree) that might be the way to go. After all, why strengthen rival PL sides, if it can be avoided?

SJ. Chandos.

About us

West Ham Till I Die is a website and blog designed for supporters of West Ham United to discuss the club, its fortunes and prospects. It is operated and hosted by West Ham season ticket holder, LBC radio presenter and political commentator Iain Dale.

More info

Follow us

Contact us

Iain Dale, WHTID, PO Box 663, Tunbridge Wells, TN9 9RZ

Visit iaindale.com, Iain Dale’s personal website & blog.

Get in touch

Copyright © 2024 Iain Dale Limited.