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Should West Ham break the bank to secure midfielder’s services?

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Alex SongThe ease with which the summer signings have settled into the team would have come as somewhat of a surprise to even the most optimistic supporters.

In seasons past, fans have grown frustrated with the lack of continuity following the arrival of a raft of new faces during the transfer window.

The difference this year is the players brought in have been of genuine quality, and easily able to assimilate into the new brand of aesthetically pleasing football.

Amongst the many standout performers, Alex Song has added a class which has long been lacking in the centre of the field.

Some were disappointed to see the likes of Joe Cole and Jack Collison depart at the end of last season, but there is little doubt the acquisition of 27-year-old Song as a replacement is a real step up in ability.

With both Arsenal and Barcelona on his resume, many would have expected the Cameroon international to be seeking Champions League football.

His performances have set the tone for recent results, and just six games into his West Ham career, talk has quickly turned to signing him on a permanent basis.

Joint-Chairman David Gold has already stated on Twitter that it is “possible” the midfielder will make the move to the East End on completion of his loan spell.

The most obvious stumbling blocks would likely be the team’s standing at the end of the season, the transfer fee commanded, and his wage demands.

Given the club’s spending this past summer however, the final two points may be lessened as the board has proved it is willing to spend big to recruit the right talent. And in the case of Song, they should do whatever it takes to land him long term.

What the club needs to be cautious of is a scenario where all the eggs are placed into one basket. The last time all efforts were put into signing one big name, the balance of the squad was disrupted, and the team spent most of the season without a capable centre forward.

But the difference here is Sam Allardyce, with the board’s support, has built a team that will likely need refining during the close season, rather than completely renovating.

There is little doubt the manager has sculpted a team fit for each purpose he has been set – firstly promotion, then Premier League stability, and now hopefully in to the top eight.

Signing Song and only minor adjustments in other areas will be a sure sign of a settled team, and an indication the squad is ready to step-up to the next level – a genuine European campaign for the first time in more than a decade

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4 comments

  • blimey says:

    Depends on how much other clubs are willing to offer for him and how much coin he wants?!
    given the potential of Diego Poyet a d Kouyate, alongside Noble, how many central mids do you want?
    needing depth at CB, or another star back if Winnie leaves may be more of a priority.

  • Legends says:

    id be expecting a top 6/7 finish if we continue to play like we’re playing. Even champions league is possible with these players if we let ourselves dream a bit. And if we finish well there will be a desire to keep the same manager and same players, while only adding quality in a few areas.
    Song is very real quality and if he wants to stay then sign him. why wouldnt u want a player like that in your squad??
    I’d be expecting Zarate to leave for lack of play time. We need a new centre back, because we need 4 CBs in the squad if not for anything else. And i’d imagine Jenkinson would like to stay also. So… that’s 4 players to sign on a permanent basis at least with our 25+ million pound budget.

    If Sakho and Valencia continue like this throughout the season we might also find it very hard to keep them.

    • Simon says:

      If west ham do well with a Euro spot finish then i dont think Sakho or Valencia will be going anywhere, i dont think they will anyway as they are both enjoying their time here at UP anyway, although if offers do come in then slapping 30+ mil tags on them should see the vultures off – Song would be a key signing if it comes off but will use up a lot of the budget, id say Demel and Vaz Te will be gone in the summer, CCole also has his contract running out, we will need a fourth CB unless one of the Academy graduates steps up to first team grade, we will need a RB but i doubt Wenger will let Jenkinson go again, i think we have enough at LB, Amalfitano i think was only signbed on a one year deal and imo he should be signed for longer, hes been another good player for us this season, but overall i have to agree that we will only be looking to tinker with things next summer as opposed to massive squad additions, the nucleus of what we currently have is more than good enough to keep us going down the path we have ventured on this season. COYI

  • Johnny Mac says:

    Offer him a contract now, don’t wait for him to weigh up his options later, otherwise we’ll surely lose him!

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