Sam Allardyce still has plenty of irons in the fire as he seeks to enhance his first team squad ahead of the new 2014/15 Premier League campaign.
The manager, who has already lured Mauro Zarate and Cheikhou Kouyate to the Boleyn Ground recently admitted that he still hopes to make several additional signings between now and the beginning of September."We've made many bids and there are many negotiations ongoing," he said. "We particularly want a left back, ideally another centre back, a midfielder and at least two more for the front line."
And with that in mind, we bring you the following...
* West Ham are reported to be in talks with Stade de Reims over a move for Prince Oniangue, who is said to be interesting several Premier League clubs. Now 25, the Paris-born Congolese international can play play in midfield or the centre of defence and will cost somewhere in the region of €3.5million.
* Swansea's 28-year-old striker Michu is reported to be the target of a £6million bid from West Ham, according to the Sun this morning. The Spanish striker enjoyed a fruitful first season at Swansea scoring 22 goals in 43 appearances but managed just six goals last season; his most recent coming in October 2013.
* Former Hammer Rio Ferdinand is poised to join newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer. Available on a free having been released by Manchester United at the end of last season, the 35-year-old has jumped at the chance to team up with Harry Redknapp at Loftus Road. Redknapp was behind the £18million sale of Ferdinand to Leeds from West Ham 14 years ago - from which the wheeler-dealer pocketed a cool £350,000 'bonus'.
* The Daily Express, not exactly renowned for breaking big football stories in recent years report that West Ham are set to "beat Liverpool, Man Utd and Spurs" to the signing of 24-year-old Ukraine international Yevhen Konoplyanka. Which seems unlikely. As does the prospect of Mssrs Sullivan and Gold paying Konoplyanka's £12million buy-out clause.
* 21-year-old Eder Balanta may be able to list West Ham as one of his admirers but they'll have to join the back of a long queue. The River Plate defender, who should be in action later today when Columbia take on Japan at the World Cup Finals has already been touted as a potential superstar and is available for anywhere between £3-10m, depending upon your source.
* Sources in Turkey are linking Portuguese international Raul Meireles with a move to West Ham. Now 31, the midfielder is available having failed to settle in Turkey where he currently plays for Fenerbahce. West Ham are understood to have made initial enquiries into the player's situation back in January.
* And finally in today's round-up of the latest tittle-tattle, rumour and speculative nonsense, Islam Slimani is being linked with a move to England and West Ham by the Portuguese media. The Algerian international, who West Ham enquired about during the last transfer window is valued by current club Sporting Lisbon at the €8million mark, according to O Jogo.
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