The odds on Arnautovic joining us have now been withdrawn so that deal looks almost certain to go through. In my opinion he will be a good signing for us and will be a big upgrade on Feghouli or Snodgrass. Hernandez is at 1/5 (83%) and is another where a deal looks imminent. I am a little more cautious about this signing but will hopefully be proved wrong if he can bang in 15 goals or more next season should he become a Hammer. Batshuayi seems to be falling off the radar altogether now and is right out to 12/1 (7%). Jack Wilshere has drifted out slightly to 7/4 (36%) as it seems that maybe his “see you in London” tweet to Joe Hart may have been more directed at him staying at Arsenal rather than swapping North London for East? To round up all those players previously discussed, Andre Gray’s (Burnley) price has remained firm for several weeks now at 13/8 (38%).
New players on the radar are all forwards;
Keita Balde Diao Spanish born but plays for Senegal, the Lazio forward would be a big signing if it should happen. The 22yo has scored roughly one in every four games for club and country. Favourites to sign him are Inter Milan at 2/5 (71%) but perhaps his Senegalese team mates Kouyate and Sahko can persuade him that West Ham is a better destination?
Wilfried Bony 11/8 (42%) to stay at Manchester City, 5/2 (28%) to return to Swansea, Bony is 5/1 (16%) to join the Hammers. Another player who looked the goods in the Premier League only to fall by the wayside after collecting splinters following a big money move to one of the mega rich clubs. Would he be a good buy? Will leave you to be the judges on this one.
Raul Jimenez We are currently fourth favourites to sign him at 7/1 (12.5%). The Mexican forward who currently plays for Benfica would be an underwhelming signing in my opinion. In August 2015 he was expected to join West Ham on a loan deal from Atletico Madrid but he failed to show up for his medical at Upton Park after claiming he over slept and missed his plane. Rumours abounded that it had more to do with his agent orchestrating a move to Benfica instead. He is even money (50%) to remain where he is and 3/1 (25%) to move to Everton.
Other West Ham related transfer news;
Adrian rated at only 50/50 to leave or stay at the club. I thought after David Sullivans comments yesterday that perhaps the odds may change dramatically but they haven’t. Would love to see the big guy stay and fight for his place.
Snodgrass Even money (50%) to stay a Hammer for now. Sheffield Wednesday are 2/1 (33%) and Brighton 5/1 (16%) to secure his services for next season.
In non-related West Ham transfer news Stewart Downing looks set to join Birmingham. Other deals that look over the line are Alvaro Morata to Chelsea, Benjamin Mendy from Monaco and Danilo from Real Madrid both to Man City. Leicester City also seem to be making it a two horse race with Everton for the signature of Gylfi Sigurdsson.