Malbranque too Rich for West Ham

The Daily Mirror today reports that West Ham have withdrawn their transfer offer for Steed Malbranque because of his pay demands. The player's wage demand was apparently in excess of £35,000 a week "which would have smashed the Hammers' pay structure."

Luke Young Almost a Hammer

Luke Young is rumoured to have finally signed for West Ham. Apparently the deal was agreed in principal some time ago but Charlton were keen to find a replacement and were negotiating over the fee. West Ham were waiting till today (1st July) to officially announce the signing in order for the deal to fall in the second half of the fiscal year which starts today.

Now, however, West Ham are waiting until Monday before announcing the signing as they feel the news will be overshadowed by the England vs Portugal game.

Carlton Cole's transfer is not so certain as he is rumoured to be considering his options. At West Ham he would find himself behind Ashton and Harewood and perhaps Zamora and he is keen for first team football.

However WestHamFans.org say they have contacted the Hammers press agent about both moves, and have been told "more than one new arrival" will be reported when the club have the official press call (hopefully on Monday).

Young & Cole Moving to West Ham

The Times are reporting this morning that Luke Young and Carlton Cole will sign for West Ham today for a combined fee of £5.5 million. Young is expected to be signed for $4 million and Carlton Cole for £1.5 million.

The Times also report that Pardew is still interested in bringing Steed Malbranque to Upton Park. This aim could be helped by the possible sale of Michael Carrick to Man Utd, who are reported to be now offering around £20 million for the player. West Ham should see their transfer funds boosted by this transfer because of a sell-on clause in Carrick's contract.

Walker to Leave West Ham

The Daily Mirror are reporting today that West Ham back-up keeper James Walker is set to be signed by Sheffield United. Walker has slipped to third place keeper behind Shaka and Roy Carrol and only played three times in the premeirship last year.

Johnson to Pompey, Young Deal Stalls

The on-going saga of Luke Young's deal seems set to continue for a little while longer. The situation, as I understand it, at the moment is that Charlton have offered Luke Young a lucrative contract, which he appears to be refusing to sign (presumably because of his desire to move on). The Addicks appear resigned to losing Young and have tried to sign Preston defender Tyrone Mears. Their initial offer was turned down and it is believed the club are preparing a fresh offer. Therefore it would seem that Charlton are waiting until they have signed a new defender before they allow Young to leave.

Meanwhile West Ham have missed out on Glen Johnson who has joined Portsmouth on a season long loan.

Cohen Leaves West Ham

Yeovil Town confirmed this afternoon that they had signed young West Ham midfielder, Chris Cohen for an undisclosed six-figure fee. Cohen spent last season on loan at Yeovil and proved to be a great success. Speaking on Yeovil's website tonight, Cohen said:

"I had a good loan spell here and it was the best deal for me to come back. I am however a little sad to be leaving West Ham. There's an element of that when you leave any club - especially a club that you supported as a boy.

But sometimes you just have to move on. And I'm going to try my best for Yeovil Town; that's all that matters now."

Boro in Bid for Malbranque

Middlesbrough are reported to have opened the bidding to land West Ham target Steed Malbranque from Fulham with a £5m offer. The Hammers, Newcastle United, Liverpool and Manchester City are all interested in the French player, who is available for transfer having refused to sign a new contract.

West Ham were rumoured to have offered £4 million for the player with some papers at the weekend reporting that Malbranque's transfer to West Ham would be revealed yesterday. If Boro have outbid West Ham it would explain why the deal wasn't completed.

West Ham are reported to have tabled a 'final' £4 million offer for the Addick's Luke Young. Apparently no further offer will be made as Pardew only has limited funds and wants to sign a right back and a midfielder this summer.

Highlights (or lack of) England vs Equador

Glen Johnson to Pompey or Feyenoord

Glen Johnson is rumoured to be going to Portsmouth or Feyenoord on a year long loan. The young defender has not featured much in the Chelsea first team and many Hammer's fans were hoping that West Ham would re-sign the player. With West Ham's need for a right back and a larger squad for our European campaign it looks like the club has missed out on another player. Let's hope there is more positive news today about Malbranque and Young.

Steed Malbranque and Young Close to Signing

Eatsleepsport.com report today that West Ham look close to signing Fulham's Steed Malbranque ahead of Man City.

"Fulham are keen to keep hold of the 26-year-old, who still has a year left to run on his contract, but after the player turned down a new deal, the Cottagers are ready to let him go to the highest bidder.

City have been tracking the player for the last 12 months but West Ham have nipped in and the chance to play Uefa Cup football looks set to sway his decision. Fulham will hold out for a fee in the region of £4.5million for the player, who has also attracted interest from Aston Villa."

The Star reports that West Ham are also set to complete the signing of Charlton Athletic defender Luke Young this week. The paper says the defender will move to Upton Park on Monday after the Hammers upped their bid to £4.2 million.

West Ham Academy Veterans vs Ecuador

With Ferdinand, Carrick, Lampard and Joe Cole all likely to start for England tomorrow the West Ham Academy can rightly claim to be providing the back bone of English football. Obviously it is a shame that all these players were sold by the club but, if we consider the young players that West Ham have now, the future also looks good for West Ham and England.

Of the current West Ham squad Dean Ashton looks like he should break into the international team in the next couple of seasons. Anton Ferdinad and Nigel Reo-Coker are another two young players who I suspect could be representing England at the next world cup.

Looking at the players coming through the ranks at West Ham and we have even more hopeful future internationals. Mark Noble has represented England at under 19 and under 18 level. Hogan Ephraim had a very productive 2004-05 season with the U17s England squad. He made no fewer than 17 appearances and scored nine goals. James Tomkins has made many appearance for the under 17's and Jordan Spence has represented England at under 16 level.