The Relegation Roundup: News and rumours from the past week (Week 3 – 08/06-14/06)

**Ownership, management, recruitment and coaching staff.**

– Daniel Kretinsky is set to become West Ham’s largest shareholder, increasing his stake to 43%. Joint statement from Vanessa Gold and Daniel Křetínský – West Ham United FC (Official Source)

– Alongside Daniel Křetínský and Vanessa Gold, the other Shareholders, namely Tripp Smith, Daniel Harris and Terry Brown, are fully aligned on this strategy and stabilising the Club. (Official Source)

– Once the agreement is complete, group EP and the Gold family have also agreed to vote jointly on key matters and to support the strategy targeting an immediate return to the Premier League. (Official Source)

– As the largest Shareholder, group EP will be able to provide the additional financing the Club needs. (Official Source)

– The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) says it is "in contact" with West Ham and will use its statutory powers to seek "urgent information" from co-owner David Sullivan "relating to his suitability" under its Owners, Directors and Senior Executives regime, after allegations against him. Mike Keegan – Daily Mail and Tabby Wilson – BBC (Bad Source/Good Source)

– A blind trust, in which Sullivan’s 38.8 per cent is passed to his sons David Jr and Jack, is stated to be a non-option. Only by relinquishing all involvement in West Ham will he become none of the [independent football] regulator’s business. Martin Samuel – The Times (Good Source)

– Those who know Kretinsky say that, ideally, he would majority own West Ham. No Sullivan, no significant other. Martin Samuel – The Times (Good Source)

– A source close to Kretinsky has stated “we have a clear path to total control. We are already the de facto management of the club.” Matt Lawton – The Times (Good Source)

– Kretinsky was Nuno’s only supporter of significance on the board. That Nuno remains therefore suggests Kretinsky’s growing influence. Martin Samuel – The Times (Good Source)

– He also has designs on the London Stadium and a bold plan to retain key players despite reduced circumstances. Martin Samuel – The Times (Good Source)

– There have been a number of potential Sporting Director/Director of Football candidates named. The list includes Paul Mitchell, Kristjaan Speakman, Steve Brown, Kieran Scott, Kevin Thelwell and Jason Ayto. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– West Ham want to bring in Newcastle United's Head of Recruitment, Steve Nickson. He has a Sporting Director qualification. It is however an unlikely appointment. Lee Ryder – Chronicle Live and Simon Jones – Daily Mail (Okay Source/Bad Source)

– Paco Jemez has said he wants to return to West Ham next season despite his contract expiring. ‘I hope I can do my bit to return the club to the top. West Ham should always be in the Premier League… the fans have shown me so much love, they’ve made me a Hammer for life.’ Alex Jennings – Mail Sport (Questionable Source – direct quote though so really a Good Source)

**Squad Rumours (Retaining and Outgoing)**

– In an interview with the times Kretinsky has stated “Key players are waiting for us. They want to see there is a real chance of keeping the squad together. We have spoken to all of them. They need to see that our project is real and serious. Promotion is our only goal.” (Official Source)

– The club have set Fernandes’ asking price at £85M, Manchester United are thought to be enquiring as to whether that fee can be restructured. Fabrizio Romano (Good Source)

– Manchester United is currently his most likely destination with the most solidified interest and are expected to make a move soon. Arsenal have taken a step back, PSG remain on the periphery while Real Madrid are expected to make a move only if Tchouameni leaves. There is little rush from West Ham to sell the player as soon as possible with Kretinsky’s expected investment thought to boost the clubs financial stability. Jacob Steinberg – The Guardian (Good Source)

– AEK Athens have made an enquiry about Greece international defender Konstantinos Mavropanos. Dimitros Manakos (Questionable Source)

– Juventus has joined Frankfurt and Galatasary as clubs interested in Soungoutou Magassa. Foot Mercato (Questionable Source)

– PSG has apparently contacted the club to inquire about both Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville. The two players are said to have asking prices of £85M and £30M respectively. Sébastian Denis – Foot Mercato and Santi Aouna (Questionable Source/Okay Source)

– Marseille and Monaco are two of the clubs that have inquired about Mohamadou Kanté. The Hammers have set his price at £20m. Dahbia Hattabi – Foot Mercato and Santi Auona (Questionable Source/Okay Source)

– West Ham have made a new contract offer to Callum Wilson. The 34-year-old has been offered improved terms on a one-year deal that also includes an automatic one-year extension should the club achieve promotion. Wilson is weighing up the offer. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– Aaron Wan-Bissaka was offered to Everton by his agents, instead of the Toffees being the ones to initiate the interest. David Moyes is unsure on signing the 28-year-old. Daily Mail (Bad Source)

– Taty Castellanos is an option for Everton. Jacob Steinberg – The Guardian (Good Source)

**Squad Rumours (Incoming)**

– Jordan James has been reaffirmed as a CM target, as has Arne Engels and Sydie Peck. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney was a top target but is expected to leave for a Premier League side. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– In addition to the Cardiff City defenders mentioned there is also interest in attacking midfielder Rubin Colwill. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– Red Bull Salzburg CM Bobby Clark is said to be available for a reasonable price that the club may pursue following a decent loan at Derby County. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– Newcastle’s Joe Willock is said to be of interest via a loan though he is said to prefer staying in the North West. Dario Essugo from Chelsea and Man City’s Sverre Halseth Nypan are also mentioned as loan options. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– West Brom’s Isaac Price has also generated interest following a decent individual season. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– Gustavo Hamer remains a player admired by West Ham’s recruitment team. Twitter (Bad Source)

– West Ham are interested in signing midfielder Bailey Rice from Scottish Premiership side Rangers. Scott Burns – Daily Record (Questionable Source)

– West Ham have registered an interest in Ilan Kebbal from Paris FC following interest in the winter. Alan Nixon (Questionable Source)

– Ethan Galbraith is a player admired by West Ham since last summer. WalesOnline (Questionable Source)

– Swansea striker Zan Vipotnik is a player on our radar but is likely to cost a fair amount. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– The club is said to monitoring a number of Championship wingers; Leicester’s Abdul Fatawu is thought to be available now the club as been relegated, while Watford’s Othmane Maamma and Stoke City’s Million Manhoef are thought to be attracting interest too. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– Though seen as more of a wingback, Blackburn’s Ryan Alebiosu is also someone the club is monitoring. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– Premier League players that the club is monitoring that may be open to taking the drop down should they be convinced include Everton’s Dwight McNeil and Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– Troy Parrott is someone the club has been following since last summer and still of interest though highly unlikely to take a step into the Championship and would likely cost a lot. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– Newcastle’s William Osula and Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor are players who may be available for loan deals but Osula at least is unlikely to drop down to the Championship with heavy interest in the player from continental sides. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– Cardiff City’s Yousef Salech and Derby County’s Patrick Agyemang are said to be profiles Nuno admires (though Agyemang is injured and not due to return till December). ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– Chris Wood is also someone Nuno may try to convince to drop down following a mixed season with Forest. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– Representatives for Jesse Lingard have been in contact with the club. Twitter (Bad Source)

– There are a number of Free Agents the club is said to be interested in. Brighton’s Adam Webster is someone with leadership qualities the club have looked at previously. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– Though subject to a one year extension Stoke City’s Ben Wilmot is also someone admired who may be available for a smaller fee. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– Union Berlin defender Danilho Doekhi is described as an ambitious target but the club may try to convince him with key incentives. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– Middlesbrough’s Dael Fry is said to be the top and most realistic target, with conversations having taken place between the club and his agent. Boro are desperate to renew him but an alternative offer may turn his head. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– Yves Bissouma has also just been released by Spurs and may be someone we pursue too, though this is speculative. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– Dan Neil has also been released with previous interest that may follow into the new season. ExWHUEmployee (Good Source)

– Natan is said to still be on our list as a prospective CB target but it is highly unlikely the club or player would be interested in deal that would satisfy both parties. Mundo Deportivo (Bad Source)

– We are seemingly in the race for U17 Scotland international striker Cai McGunnigle who plays for Hong Kong FC. Pete O’Rourke (Questionable Source)

– It’s been said Real Betis midfielder Nelson Deossa would be interested in a move to West Ham should the club pursue a deal this summer, Betis sources say he was on the clubs radar prior to relegation but it remains to be seen if the interest is still present. Manu Colchón – Diario de Sevilla (Questionable Source)