West Ham’s plan to solve their Big Sam problem – replacing everybody apart from Big Sam – is on track. After completing a £7m deal for Senegal midfielder Cheikou Kouyate they now want “at least” four more this summer, with Ecuador winger Jefferson Montero next in.
Kouyate, meanwhile, has revealed the hell Sam put himself through to secure his signature. “That I’m here now is thanks to the manager, because he went out of his way, leaving his holiday for me. He has done everything he could for me to join.”
Manchester United are also changing after being left reeling/unmoved by a transfer demand from Alex Buttner, who wants out because Louis van Gaal never gives him a chance “despite me being voted man of the match 14 times at United”. Today’s news: Bebé is off to Benfica, Nicolás Gaitán will move the other way, and Nani – man of the match in all his 146 appearances – is staying after being reassured Van Gaal rates him.
Tottenham are still trying to offload Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado in an effort to raise money for Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku, while Cameroon’s lively exit from Brazil has freed up some of their squad to move. Everton and Liverpool both fancy Stephane Mbia, who is out of contract at QPR, while Roma want Samuel Eto’o.
Swansea’s Ashley Williams is still weighing up a new deal or a £4m move to Sunderland, with agent Jamie Moralee warning the situation is getting edgy. “It’s dangerous when players go into their final year. This is business, not personal. Hopefully we can put the situation right for all parties.”
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace fancy Marseille’s Morgan Amalfitano and the former Everton winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, available for £1.5m from Spartak Moscow; Southampton are in for Cardiff keeper David Marshall; goalkeeper Vito Mannone is on the way out of Sunderland; and Samir Nasri is set for a £180,000-a-week, five year Manchester City deal.
