Signed El Hadji Malick Diouf (LB, West Ham, 21)

[GABS]

 

[Lbhbee]

Not a problem bringing in top new players, losing what we want to keep is a problem, fighting for your position is only a good thing, 1st time in the premiership we have had this situation, and by having no dheads in the squad, and nobody thinking they are above anyone, this is going to be the next part of our wonderful journey,

 

[Old B]

Hope he makes de earth move for us (sorry)

 

[hardybee]

Chance that Forest gazump?

Even if they did make an offer, would they appeal anymore to him then we do? Maybe more money? But I’m sure we will of done what we normally do in terms of his development plan and also he gets to stay in London. I think we can compete with a lot of the teams in the prem now re transfers. Also I imagine our wage structure must of increased. The players we are signing, even last season with the likes of Henderson, will be on much more than some of the players in our first couple of years in the Prem. You can see us improving and progressing every single year

 

[hardybee]

Sorry if it’s been covered but anyone know what he’s like at long throws and set pieces? His crosses are clearly a strong attribute so I wonder if he took corners for WH

 

[Banana]

Last knockings of the window so is the conversation "are you sure you want to keep an unhappy player, would you like to see our offer again"?

Seems this is exactly what happened and what changed this from "Not Happening" to a "Done Deal" was a massive price cut.

So a massive change in facts.

 

[Brigadier Gerard]

We’re not Real Madrid

We are Beecelona.

 

[Sianist]

No way that KLP drops out of the starting XI on form so far.

Guessing KLP would ultimately move back up towards LW to put the challenge to Schade, while still being back-up to LB

 

[Jay Bee]

Seems this is exactly what happened and what changed this from "Not Happening" to a "Done Deal" was a massive price cut.

So a massive change in facts.

So my hunch contained some truth?

Given we are not under pressure to buy, and no other serious interest reported from others, I would bet that we have got a discount here and we just don't know about it.

We've been told in the past that it's convention that clubs don't correct fees quoted in the media, downwards.
So we were talking at £40m, now we've gone back and done a deal quoted as around £40m, but in reality we held all the cards and negotiated a discount.

West Ham briefing a higher price and so keeping their fans sweet because "at least they got their full asking price"

 

[Jim Rourke]

Seems this is exactly what happened and what changed this from "Not Happening" to a "Done Deal" was a massive price cut.

So a massive change in facts.

Are the figures quoted by the various twitter journalists accurate? They don’t seem the price has come down significantly

 

[ChrisSmith1992]

Seems this is exactly what happened and what changed this from "Not Happening" to a "Done Deal" was a massive price cut.

So a massive change in facts.

Massive price cut? We’re bidding 35 mil plus 5 in add ons aren’t we?

 

[rallyingmick]

Are the figures quoted by the various twitter journalists accurate? They don’t seem the price has come down significantly

Unless you are PG we wont really know. But if it makes anyone feel better i was told (for what its worth) its more in line with £29 mill up front, with a fee rising to whatever could possibly be in the contract, which again only PG will know.

Of course we are not spending the money so trust the process and see what comes.

 

[Jezybee]

Massive price cut? We’re bidding 35 mil plus 5 in add ons aren’t we?

According to the “meeja” who:
I) Probably cut & paste previous rumours of the price West Ham quoted.
II) Are likely being leaked to by West Ham, whose ownership have to save face with their fan base re: transfer fees.

 

[alexinho]

Massive price cut? We’re bidding 35 mil plus 5 in add ons aren’t we?

Rumour was they were asking for £50m, unless I'm much mistaken.

 

[Banana]

Are the figures quoted by the various twitter journalists accurate? They don’t seem the price has come down significantly

35m is accurate. they wanted in excess of 50m before.

 

[ladbroke]

It's hard to get excited for this one if it means we're getting rid of Henry who's currently match fit and played well last night.
Not sure if it's just me being too nostalgic but the idea of him leaving us now doesn't feel good at all when we could finally reach Europe and it would be brilliant to see him play there for all he's done at the club.

There's a fantasy scenario where we sign Diouf and Henry stays and this is just an early depth signing for European competition next season. I just don't want to get my hopes up and believe that just to see a news piece in a few days of Rico Henry signing for Coventry or Ipswich.

I get we look like we have 4 LBs if he signs but maybe we're seeing Hickey more of a RB or DM these days (who absolutely could fill in at LB if that desperate), KLP could actually move back forward (or he too could be worked in to an AM role, we saw his movements for his goal against Spurs). This would leave Henry and Diouf (if signed).

We have always wanted strength in depth.

Kelleher/Valdimarsson
Diouf/Henry
Kayode/Hickey
Collins/SVdB
Ajer/Schuster
Janelt/Yarmo
Sangare/Jensen
Damsgaard/Carvalho
Ouattara/Anthony
Schade/KLP
Thiago/Wilson

And that's not even including some other first teamers/Fringe players that are also making comebacks such as Dasilva, Furo, Nunes and Milambo.

This is very exciting times.

 

[Vid]

We are simply creating two teams. One to win the Champions League and the other to win everything else.

 

[kneeslider]

It certainly feels different from other windows. We've pulled the trigger on some massive signings and added depth to key positions that have held us back in previous seasons.
You can have a no d'heads policy but players still want game time so it's all pointing to
A) pushing for the league and/or FA cups
B) Pushing for Europa or Champions league football next season
C) All of the above
D) just collecting players for fun and making them all miserable


I think it's D

 

[andyrew]

It certainly feels different from other windows. We've pulled the trigger on some massive signings and added depth to key positions that have held us back in previous seasons.
You can have a no d'heads policy but players still want game time so it's all pointing to
A) pushing for the league and/or FA cups
B) Pushing for Europa or Champions league football next season
C) All of the above
D) just collecting players for fun and making them all miserable


I think it's D

D for Dunce? Nah, I'd go for C meself.

 

[South Acton Bee]

It certainly feels different from other windows. We've pulled the trigger on some massive signings and added depth to key positions that have held us back in previous seasons.
You can have a no d'heads policy but players still want game time so it's all pointing to
A) pushing for the league and/or FA cups
B) Pushing for Europa or Champions league football next season
C) All of the above
D) just collecting players for fun and making them all miserable


I think it's D

D is 100% Chelsea

 

[wasabee]

It certainly feels different from other windows. We've pulled the trigger on some massive signings and added depth to key positions that have held us back in previous seasons.
You can have a no d'heads policy but players still want game time so it's all pointing to
A) pushing for the league and/or FA cups
B) Pushing for Europa or Champions league football next season
C) All of the above
D) just collecting players for fun and making them all miserable


I think it's D

E) tactical rotation

i have to imagine MB/PG built such a deep squad with so many interchangeable players with the clear expectation that they would be…..interchanged, based on opponent and chosen tactics

 

[Isleworth_Bee]

It’s clear to see that we are pushing for squad depth with the future and Europe in mind. Huge money for a LB.

 

[Banana]

It's more than that. This is the most material transfer window we have had since that one when Pontus arrived.

 

[Isleworth_Bee]

It's more than that. This is the most material transfer window we have had since that one when Pontus arrived.

Yes agree and no significant outgoings.

Could set the foundations for another 5-10 years.

 

[djheavens]

This is guy is very much going to suit how we play .. strong, quick, athletic wing back with great crossing ability and a very high ceiling to improve . He’s in no better place to do that.

 

[lanzabee]

No way that KLP drops out of the starting XI on form so far.

Certainly going to get very competitive for places....but we aren't gonna spend 35m on a lb and not start him..

 

[SH]

It's more than that. This is the most material transfer window we have had since that one when Pontus arrived.

It strikes me as (at least) two things coinciding:

1) Keith’s style of football - high energy, total football - requires incredible athleticism, putting enormous physical demands on players.
2) A number of the traditional ‘big’ clubs look vulnerable to me - management and personnel changes, dodgy defences, lack of centre forwards, you name it.

Put those together, there’s an amazing opportunity this year, which the club’s astute financial management (and the 2025 monies) have put us in pole position to take advantage of

 

[To Bee Someone]

Exciting signing and I like that both wide areas is brimming with talent. I think any concerns of his defensive qualities should be alleviated by how good Schade and KLP can be in tracking back.
What a window..Nana eludes to 2019 and this has a similar feel to it

 

[Bush Tuckerman]

So…would we have signed El Mala too if the fee had been agreed? Or did this only become a genuine option once we didn’t have the money committed elsewhere! It would be interesting to understand if we had an appetite for all 3 players

 

[swr22]

We know we were looking for a wide attacker earlier in the window and my guess is that we could not find value anywhere. This allows KLP to move up there while we can either sell Rico with his contract running down or loan out Meghoma so his development is not stunted. Also means we can probably loan out Nunes again without being short.

 

[LongLostBee]

Exciting signing and I like that both wide areas is brimming with talent. I think any concerns of his defensive qualities should be alleviated by how good Schade and KLP can be in tracking back.
What a window..Nana eludes to 2019 and this has a similar feel to it

Wouldn't be the first defender to be rated as sh*t by fans, because of the team they're playing in being a basket case, or role they're asked to play, perhaps without sufficient cover.
Our recruitment dept, who aren't exactly too shabby, will have watched him closely and must have determined his defending isn't that bad!

 

[LingfieldBee]

It is a lot of money for a full back yet to really show even close to his potential I would argue. However he does has the raw physical ability and show he has the technical. It's a fair opinion to say he has been found wanting in his defensive duties. I suspect the Recruitment team trust that we can fine tune his defensive abilities for him to reach his full potential. If this goes through its one of our biggest financial development gambles on a player.

 

[Sianist]

Think it’s equal parts believing that we can coach him to be better at the defensive duties he’s expected to, and able/willing to tweak the tactical setup to allow him to have less defensive duties

 

[TadB]

Wouldn't be the first defender to be rated as sh*t by fans, because of the team they're playing in being a basket case, or role they're asked to play, perhaps without sufficient cover.
Our recruitment dept, who aren't exactly too shabby, will have watched him closely and must have determined his defending isn't that bad!

I totally agree, indeed it would not surprise me one bit that when the dust has settled we find out that these so called defensive frailties have been exaggerated out of all proportion.

 

[TadB]

Exciting signing and I like that both wide areas is brimming with talent. I think any concerns of his defensive qualities should be alleviated by how good Schade and KLP can be in tracking back.
What a window..Nana eludes to 2019 and this has a similar feel to it

I fully endorse your last sentence. It certainly does have that same feel!

 

[TadB]

Certainly going to get very competitive for places....but we aren't gonna spend 35m on a lb and not start him..

Absolutely, and no player will need to play if he is not 100% fit. No playing with a niggle or a little under the weather.

 

[TorbayBee]

This is guy is very much going to suit how we play .. strong, quick, athletic wing back with great crossing ability and a very high ceiling to improve . He’s in no better place to do that.

Yes , look at the players who gone for big money in this window, it’s all about pace and power . City have shifted Gonzalez , Marmoush and Savinho - and look to replace with powerhouse highly athletic players. Sunderland realised this last year and signed a clutch of players with these features. I see a lot of commentary that mention our physicality and I used to be disappointed as it seemed to be a throwback to Wimbledon, Stoke et al but actually it’s a reference to our pace power and skill. This guy fits this description

 

[walmerbee]

Would expect one of the big clubs to go for him

They have!

 

[Freebee]

When we get this one done,we'll be really strong in all areas.

The squad were have built is quality and the long term project has moved on from the end of the beginning,lower league to established in the Prem,to the beginning of the end where silverware and Europe are on the horizon.

Bring it on

 

[Leedsbee]

Worth 4 Reece James in the increasingly frustrating world of panini stickers

 

[Bigbee]

Brighton have just signed a " modern day left back " for £9.5m Euros/pounds/dollars , hmm

 

[ChesilB]

Brighton have just signed a " modern day left back " for £9.5m Euros/pounds/dollars , hmm

Yep, Brighton as smart as the Bees in their recruitment.

 

[hardybee]

View: https://x.com/westhamtransfer/status/2092971920170140134?s=46&t=abSjz03fk1VKkn_A8M6_7A

 

[Les Beeavinu]

View: https://x.com/westhamtransfer/status/2092971920170140134?s=46&t=abSjz03fk1VKkn_A8M6_7A

I'm going for a 10am tomorrow announcement then. Might even make the bench on Sunday.

 

[ABEEE]

8pm you heard it here first.

 

[Gazza Bee]

Ok so done - really is set up to be an exciting season. Probably the first seasons I've not been worried about playing anyone home or away - if we play well we can take points in every game.

 

[Bigbee]

Yep, Brighton as smart as the Bees in their recruitment.

a lot smarter it seems 1/4 of the price of our potential new one

 

[Les Beeavinu]

a lot smarter it seems 1/4 of the price of our potential new one

3rd choice left back

 

[Wooburn Bee]

I'm going for a 10am tomorrow announcement then. Might even make the bench on Sunday.

Probably right on former, doubt it on latter as wouldn't have trained with team. Expect Carvalho to take Ethan's spot on bench.

 

[TadB]

Ok so done - really is set up to be an exciting season. Probably the first seasons I've not been worried about playing anyone home or away - if we play well we can take points in every game.

Every game, wow we are going to win the league!!!!!