Gossip: Hammers close to big signingspublished at 07:39 2 August
07:39 2 August
West Ham are closing in on the double signing of Borussia Dortmund and Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug, 31, and Leeds' Dutch forward Crysencio Summerville, 22. (Sky Sports), external
West Ham have agreed personal terms to sign right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 26, but have yet to agree a fee with Manchester United, who want £18m rather than the £10m offered. (Sky Sports Germany), external
Fornals offers Lopetegui West Ham insightpublished at 13:32 31 July
13:32 31 July
Simon Stone in San Diego Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
New West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has spoken to Pablo Fornals to get some insight into what he can expect at London Stadium.
Fornals spent four-and-a-half years at West Ham, making 203 appearances for the club before joining Real Betis for £6.8m in February.
He still keeps in touch with many of his former team-mates, and Lopetegui used his knowledge once he discovered he would be replacing David Moyes in the summer.
"I was called by the new manager a few months ago - he just wanted to know about how West Ham works," Fornals told BBC Sport. "He is Spanish, I am Spanish and I had spoken with him a few times before, so he just wanted to know about the players.
"I am still connected with them so, to be honest, it is not a bad thing.
"I love them. I speak to them as many times as I can - the physios and the players - but they are not [just] players - they are my friends."
The burning question: what did he tell Lopetegui?
"That it is a nice club - a family club," he said. "There are a lot of very good people there. He asked me about the players, [but] that is his job. I try to help everyone."
West Ham supporters still love Fornalspublished at 09:16 31 July
09:16 31 July
Simon Stone in San Diego Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Pablo Fornals may be a Real Betis player now, but for some supporters he will always be a Hammer.
Fornals spent four-and-a-half years at West Ham United before joining the La Liga side for £6.8m in February.
He was part of the squad that qualified for European football three years in a row and he came on as a substitute in the famous Conference League final triumph over Fiorentina in Prague.
It seems he made quite an impact during his time at the club.
"I'm in San Diego and the only person who has stopped me here was a West Ham fan," he told BBC Sport. "For me, that is unreal.
"Every single post I put on my Instagram, there are more responses from West Ham fans than any others.
"I know I was in a club with great staff and players, but to still be remembered by all of the fans is such a great thing for me."
While that night in Prague will go down in West Ham folklore, Fornals cites the Europa League extra-time comeback win over Sevilla, the three-goal hammering of Lyon in France in the following round, and the Conference League semi-final triumph against AZ Alkmaar - when he scored the winning goal - as his favourite moments for the club.
It is clear the affection goes both ways. But, in the end, he just wanted to play football more often.
"I had been on both sides with David Moyes, when you are one of the untouchables and when you are not one of the 11 starters," he said. "I was 27 years old and feeling good, so I felt I could find minutes in another place."
'They say modern preparation regimes are better!'published at 08:11 31 July
08:11 31 July
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
Players like Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund are already suffering from hamstring injuries two weeks before the season even starts - and they say the modern preparation regimes are better, safer and more scientific!
They probably are better. At least the players do not have to go through some of the borderline sadistic routines that previous generations did. Back then, after a decent length of summer break, pre-season meant working incredibly hard over a short period of time to get yourself back in top condition fast.
Sprinting up and down gigantic sand dunes against the clock until many players were physically sick was de rigueur, alongside other road runs and track work.
Here is the weird part: I used to look forward to that, the way a class swot looks forward to exams. Being smaller, lighter and a committed long-distance runner all my young life, even before I became a pro footballer, it was, if not exactly a piece of cake, then certainly much easier for me than most of the rest of the team.
I have asked many modern managers what they would prefer to do in a perfect world during their pre-season. The most common answer is "just about anything other than what we are forced to do now!"
'Players generally hate these pre-season friendlies'published at 10:22 30 July
10:22 30 July
Image source, Getty Images
Pat Nevin, former Chelsea, Everton and Scotland winger writing in his Football Extra newsletter:
The pre-season friendlies are in full swing and let's be straight about this, the players generally hate these games, whatever they say.
They clearly haven't had enough rest in the summer, it is a grind getting your body back into peak shape, especially if the accumulated injuries from last season haven’t been allowed to fully recover.
The games themselves are weird affairs, where you would like to win but that is nowhere near the most important thing. Fitness, integrating new players, possibly a new manager and sometimes a new system are each more important. You also know full well that it is a hotch-potch of a team selection to give players minutes. The fans, mass media and social media will read far too much into every game and every performance.
From within the team itself, there are different motivations. A young or new player being given his first chance will be racing about like an overexcited spaniel. Other experienced players will be easing themselves back into it, the primary concern in their minds is to be fit and healthy come the first weekend of the Premier League season.
Deep down they don't worry if they get thumped by Celtic or DC United on their US tours, nobody at Chelsea or Aston Villa will remember or care about these results in two weeks' time.
Unless of course you are a DC or indeed Celtic fan. The Celts just beat Chelsea and Man City. Now that is impressive pre-season form or is that just Scottish bias.
Gossip: Hammers consider Dortmund's Fullkrugpublished at 07:41 30 July
07:41 30 July
West Ham view Borussia Dortmund and Germany frontman Niclas Fullkrug, 31, as a potential target as they search for a new striker. (Sky Sports), external
West Ham are likely to have their approach for France and Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana rejected, with the 25-year-old preferring a move to AC Milan. (Givemesport), external
Hammers keen on Man Utd's Wan-Bissakapublished at 19:34 29 July
19:34 29 July
Simon Stone in Los Angeles Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
West Ham are interested in signing full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United.
Julen Lopetegui is keen to add a quality right-back to his squad and have agreed a fee with Bayern Munich for Morocco international Noussair Mazraoui.
However, they have been unable to conclude a deal as Erik ten Hag's side have also expressed an interest in the 26-year-old.
If Mazraoui joined the Old Trafford outfit, the Red Devils would be open to letting Wan-Bissaka leave.
The former Crystal Palace player has a year left on his contract and sources had suggested a preference on Wan-Bissaka's part to wait before assessing his options.
However, his stance may be softening which could lead to a deal being done.
Wan-Bissaka, 26, has made 190 appearances for United since joining the club from the Eagles for £50m in 2019.
Your views on Wolves' friendly win over West Hampublished at 09:59 29 July
09:59 29 July
Image source, Wolves via Getty Images
We asked for your views on Wolves' 3-1 win over West Ham during both sides' tour of the United States.
Here are some of your comments:
Wolves fans
Matt: Great to get one over Lopetegui. We looked pretty sharp overall. Pedro Lima and Rodrigo Gomes an instant hit with the fans, just hope Matheus Cunha's injury isn't anything too serious.
Simon: They looked very sharp at times and our new signings did very well. Excited to see what Rodrigo Gomes and Jorgen Strand Larsen can do when the season kicks off. If we can shore up central defence, this could be a good season for us.
Craig: Very encouraging - yes it's only a friendly but after watching all of Wolves' friendlies last pre-season when everyone was writing us off, it was clear we had a good team and were going to be fine. I think the signs are very similar again this season.
West Ham fans
Faith: We're looking a little more attack-minded compared to last season, and we've still a few players to come back, so hopefully we start playing some better football. However, the defensive mistakes from last season still seem to be lingering. We simply can't have the same number of goals conceded as we did last year. Really needs sorting out.
Jon: I don't think it's worth worrying too much on the performances in friendlies, but we were far too slow. We've been left with an ageing squad from last season and we are in serious need of new transfers and squad depth soon; energy and pace is desperately needed.
Dave: Pre-season results are no indication of the season to come.
Gossip: Hammers willing to pay almost £30m for Fofanapublished at 07:49 29 July
07:49 29 July
West Ham are willing to meet AS Monaco's 35m euros (£29.5m) price tag for 25-year old French midfielder Youssouf Fofana. (L'Equipe - in French), external
West Ham have opened negotiations over a deal for English right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United, who value the 26-year-old in excess of £15m. (Sky Sports), external
Lopetegui beaten by former side Wolvespublished at 13:24 28 July
13:24 28 July
Image source, Getty Images
New West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui's side suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of former club Wolves in their pre-season friendly in Jacksonville, Florida.
In a match that was delayed by just over two hours because of stormy weather, Matheus Cunha put Wolves in front before having to go off injured.
Mohammed Kudus equalised for the Hammers just before half-time, but two goals from Rodrigo Gomes after the break gave Wolves the win.
"He [Cunha] felt a slight pain behind his knee," said Wolves manager Gary O'Neil.
"It's disappointing. With the game being delayed and the wet pitch, they work so hard and are finely tuned, so it doesn't take much to throw them.
"Matheus is incredibly important to us, but the early signs don't look bad. He won't be risked again until he's completely fine, so the next few days I can provide an update."
Lopetgui has replaced David Moyes as West Ham boss, and said the Hammers "have to improve in a lot of things with and without the ball".
He added: "We have a lot of work to do in front of us."
Full time: Wolves 3-1 West Hampublished at 08:51 28 July
08:51 28 July
Despite a delayed kick-off due to tropical storms, it was Wolves who came out 3-1 winners over West Ham in the inaugural Stateside Cup tie.
Forward Matheus Cunha put Wolves ahead after 18 minutes, before Mohammed Kudus levelled for the Hammers just before the break.
Two second half goals from substitute Rodrigo Gomes fired Gary O'Neil's side in front and they saw the game out to take the win.
It was a taste of Premier League football for this match in Florida, but what did you learn from the performances?
Which Premier League clubs fly the most in pre-season?published at 08:07 28 July
08:07 28 July
David Lockwood BBC Sport Editorial Sustainability Lead
Image source, Getty Images
Los Angeles or Chesterfield? San Diego or Salford?
The pre-season destinations of 20 Premier League clubs may be varied, but the issue remains the same - the impact of so many flights.
Half (10) of the clubs have flown to the United States for friendlies; three have travelled to the Far East and the rest are in Europe and the UK.
Manchester United's pre-season schedule see them flying almost 13,000 miles playing fixtures in Norway, Scotland, and across the US. Chelsea and Tottenham are also expected to fly in excess of 12,000 miles.
In contrast, Everton will fly the least, with just one fixture outside the UK in the Republic of Ireland.
Spurs and Newcastle also played an exhibition fixture in May - three days after the season finished - for which they both flew to Melbourne, Australia, a game Alan Shearer described as “madness”. Add in those air miles and both teams will have travelled in excess of 30,000 air miles in the close-season, equivalent to more than once around the globe, to play in non-competitive matches.
Newcastle and Spurs both have a target to be Net Zero by 2030, while Manchester United and Chelsea are in process of establishing an emissions reduction plan.
Net Zero requires the reduction and removal of all 'non-essential emissions' - so are these games essential?
Wycombe's David Wheeler is a leading sustainability campaigner in football and told BBC Sport: "These games are only necessary in the sense that the clubs want to make more money and grow their fan base".
He added: "The vast majority of players don't want to be away from their families, they don't want to be travelling around the world after a full slog of a season. They're overworked and injuries have gone through the roof, so there is a synergy between player welfare and planetary welfare."
An estimated travelling group of 30 flying 12,864 air miles business class generates around 200 tonnes of CO2 - the equivalent of 500,000 miles driven by an average petrol car, or the entire annual emissions for a year of 16 people in the UK.
Tottenham said it is "committed to minimising its environmental impact" in all its operations, "which will take time and effort". The club says it "ensures" all teams travel "as sustainably as possible throughout the season". It "measures, manages and reports on travel emissions" and will offsets "where possible."
Including the May trip to Australia for Newcastle and Tottenham more than doubles those two clubs' total flights in the close-season and puts them way above the rest of the Premier League for environmental impact
Gossip: Hammers consider Duran offerpublished at 12:57 27 July
12:57 27 July
West Ham are considering an improved offer for Jhon Duran, with Aston Villa holding out for £40m for the 20-year-old Colombia striker. (Standard), external
'Fantastic signing' and 'a bargain in today's market'published at 12:11 26 July
12:11 26 July
We asked for your views on the news that West Ham were set to sign Bayern Munich full-back Noussair Mazraoui.
Here are some of your comments:
Jay: I think this is a fantastic signing! With Coufal getting a little older this is a great piece of business. He’s a good player and he's more than confident to get a motion moving.
Joe: After losing Ben Johnson it's good West Ham are looking at quality competition for Coufal.
Terry: By all accounts he does not stay fit for a long period of time. So it looks like we've bought another 'sicknote'.
Jamie: I love the fact that we are competing with Manchester United for signings nowadays and winning the contracts. We’ve come a long way Hammers!
Adam: Good pedigree, still young, plays in a position where we need reinforcements, and the fee seems reasonable by today's standards. He's played in some very good teams and shone on big stages. Potentially the backlash to his stance on Israel-Palestine made his time at Bayern less than comfortable, which may be why he's available relatively cheap.
Justin: A veritable bargain in today’s market. looks to be on par with Mavropanos at this point. Obviously younger and possibly more skilled on the ball, my view is based on fleeting glimpses of his club appearances and are not in any way expert. However a signing from bigger club because we can and not because they are well past their best is positive.
Gossip: Wan-Bissaka rejects Hammers proposalpublished at 07:52 26 July
07:52 26 July
Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka has rejected advances from West Ham and would prefer a move to Inter Milan this summer. (Talksport), external
Brentford's plans to let West Ham and Tottenham target Ivan Toney leave the club could be shelved after the 28-year-old England forward's replacement Igor Thiago suffered an injury in pre-season. (Sun), external
Hammers agree deal for Bayern Munich's Mazraouipublished at 16:22 25 July
16:22 25 July
Image source, Getty Images
West Ham have agreed a fee with Bayern Munich for Moroccan full-back Noussair Mazraoui.
Sources say if the deal goes through, the Hammers will play an initial €16m (£13.47m) for the 26-year-old, with a potential further €3.5m (£2.95m) in add-ons.
Talks over personal terms are continuing for a player who has been linked with a number of clubs this summer, including Manchester United.
Mazraoui was born in the Netherlands and joined Ajax as a youngster.
He joined Bayern on a free transfer in 2022 and made 29 appearances for the Bundesliga giants in all competitions last season.
Is it a good signing West Ham fans? Is he worth the fee?
