West Ham: New signing imminent; Tomkins departs; Manchester United youngster close

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Slaven Bilic may have spent his summer in France watching the Euros, but West Ham have been busy on the transfer market. After already adding five new players to the squad, the Hammers are continuing to seek more additions as they gear up for their first season in the Olympic Stadium. Excitement has been flowing after Jack Sullivan, youngest son of owner David, tweeted to say:

Sullivan went on to deny rumours regarding the incoming arrival of Yannick Bolasie, leaving a host of names to be linked. Gokhan Tore of Besiktas has been linked, and the Turkish winger could well be one of the most likely candidates to join in the coming day,s according to Football365. Fans on Twitter were hoping that the tweet would be about a potential big money move for Alexandre Lacazette, though such a move seems unlikely after Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas told Sky Sports that he would be at the club next season. Whilst a blow for Slaven Bilic as he looks to add to his frontline, it would free up a reported £31 million to spend on other targets.

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The Hammers also moved into pole position and bookie’s favourite in the race to sign Robbie Brady, according to HITC. The Irish winger had been linked with Southampton, Stoke, Everton and Leicester, but odds on the London club beating them to his signature were slashed yesterday. Whilst it is unlikely that Brady would be signed as competition for left back Aaron Cresswell, it can be assumed that he would provide an option for Bilic on the left wing, where he has excelled for Ireland in France, despite fairly unremarkable performances in the Premier League for Norwich and Hull in two consecutive relegations.

Rumours have also linked the club with a move for Manchester United youngster Ashley Fletcher. The Bristol Post claim that their move to sign Lee Tomlin was fueled in part by Fletcher’s rejection of a move to Ashton Gate on loan. Now behind the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney and Marcus Rashford in the Old Trafford pecking order, Fletcher is believed to feel that he stands a better chance of first team football by moving to London. The pacey striker was in fine form in a five-month spell at Barnsley on loan, scoring nine in 27, including a goal in the play-off final. Having turned down a new deal, Leeds were also linked by the Yorkshire Post, but sources in Bristol now claim that he underwent a medical at West Ham on Monday and is set to sign a deal.

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In other positive news, in demand left back Aaron Cresswell has extended his current deal to extend his current deal from 2020 to 2021. The move puts an end to transfer rumours linking him with a move away, as the ex-Ipswich man has become a vital member of Slaven Bilic’s side after impressive displays last term.

However, Hammers will be disappointed to see local lad and youth product James Tomkins depart, after he left for Crystal Palace for £10 million. That said, Tomkins made just six appearances in his final four months in West Ham’s claret and blue, and ends an 18 year spell at the club when he was far from first choice. The £10 million fee is also beneficial for Bilic, who will be able to reinvest the funds in more additions to his squad, namely up-front.

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