West Ham United

Reported Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur target Declan Rice has signed a new long-term contract with West Ham United, committing his future to the club until 2024.

The Hammers announced the news via Twitter:

We are delighted to announce that Declan Rice has signed a new long-term contract until summer 2024, with a further one year option for the Club to extend.https://t.co/MTK9LodR8E

— West Ham United (@WestHam) December 28, 2018

The Daily Mail (h/t TalkSport's Billy Hawkins) previously reported on the interest from Chelsea and Spurs.

While the transfer speculation has been ongoing for some time, most assumed Rice was eager to stay with West Ham, per Sam Inkersole of Football.london. The rumours were a result of a lengthy contract saga that has finally been resolved.

Rice took to social media after the news became official:

special moment for me & my family. Delighted to have signed a contract extension with @WestHamUtd now to keep pushing & improving❤️⚒. #RICE2024 #COYI pic.twitter.com/aJJn0mm6u3

— Declan Rice (@_DeclanRice) December 28, 2018

The 19-year-old was a member of Chelsea's academy until 2014, when he was released and joined West Ham. He made his senior debut in 2017 and has quickly emerged as one of the top young talents in the Premier League.

A defensive midfielder who can also play at centre-back, the new deal was wanted by the fans, who made their feelings known during the Hammers' 2-1 over Southampton on Thursday, per The Independent's Jack Pitt-Brooke:

"Most significant was the West Ham away end singing that the club should sign Rice to a new contract as soon as they can. He has become the most popular, important young British player at West Ham since the 1990s generation, all of whom went on to great things at other clubs. So the question now for West Ham is whether Rice will go the same way."

Rice has played for the Republic of Ireland's youth teams but has yet to officially commit his senior future to the nation.

He's eligible to play for England, but according to the Irish Times, he made his decision shortly before Christmas:

Declan Rice set to commit to Ireland https://t.co/8AVAaYX6P7 via @IrishTimesSport

— Irish Times Sport (@IrishTimesSport) December 21, 2018

The new deal all but rules out an exit at some point in 2019. West Ham have been in fine form of late, winning five of their last six matches, and their positive momentum may have played a part in his decision to stay.

He'll continue his development under the watch of Manuel Pellegrini and will be one to keep an eye on. Rice has world-class potential, and if his growth continues at the same rate, the giants of English football may try their luck at some point in the future. 

West Ham United forward Marko Arnautovic has said he wants to test himself against the best players following rumours that Manchester United were keen on signing him. 

In May, it was reported by Sky Sports that the Red Devils were interested in the Austria international, with West Ham said to value him at around £50 million. However, he ended up staying at the London Stadium.

Speaking to Austrian newspaper Kurier (h/t Ed Aarons of the Guardian), Arnautovic said he may be in the best years of his career to secure a big transfer: "I'm 29, so that's the best age. It's clear that I want to compete with the best players. But in this affair, I totally trust my brother."

Arnautovic's brother, Danijel, is his agent, and as relayed by Aarons, he said the forward will be looking to make a step up: "Marko is really enjoying playing for West Ham. He loves that club and the fans. But there is still that feeling, that this cannot be the end. And everybody should understand that."

Per Kate McGreavy of the MailOnline, Danijel also told Kurier a move away might improve his brother's game:

"He's a big part of West Ham's team but I think it's possible to tease out more of him. For that to happen, he has to play for a top team. Marko is ready for the next step. A player like him should not play against relegation. He should play for the international spots."

Prior to his move to West Ham, Arnautovic was always considered a capricious footballer who would mix moments of magic with moments of madness.

Per James Robson of the Manchester Evening News, United manager Jose Mourinho once said when they worked together at Inter Milan "Marko is a great guy, but he has the mentality of a child."

However, there has been a maturation in Arnautovic at West Ham, as he has relished the chance to lead the line as a central striker.

Dan Morgan of The Anfield Wrap commented on the changes the former Stoke City man has made:

https://twitter.com/dan_morgan3/status/1046025153388445696

Arnautovic has continued to provide an attacking threat in a West Ham team that has struggled for form under manager Manuel Pellegrini.

The forward has scored five times in 10 Premier League appearances, turning in especially strong performances against United and Everton in 3-1 wins. With his pace, power and nose for goals, it's not a shock that he fancies himself playing at a higher level.

While the quotes may come as a concern for some West Ham fans, Geo Mackie of Hammers Chat isn't getting too worried about their star man departing:

Marko Arnautovic wants to play for a top club?

Good. I'd be disappointed if he didn't, winners mentality.

Doesn't mean he's unhappy, doesn't mean a big club wants him & doesn't mean a big club think it's good value.

— Geo Mackie (@redhammer8) November 14, 2018

Having flopped during his time at Inter, who are traditionally the biggest club Arnautovic has played for, some elite sides may be hesitant spending big on the forward. In addition, he turns 30 before the season's end, meaning they'd likely be paying a large outlay for a short-term impact.

Still, it appears Arnautovic is anxious to make a step up in his career before he's on the other side of his peak years. The best way for him to attract that kind of interest will be getting his head down with West Ham and continuing to offer a talismanic presence in the final third.

Former Arsenal and Manchester City star Samir Nasri is reportedly closing in on an £80,000-per-week deal with West Ham United, with a medical said to have taken place on Monday.

According to the Evening Standard's Ken Dyer, Everton and several American clubs were also interested in the former France international.

The Mirror's Darren Lewis has reported fitness concerns could still hold up the deal, however.

Nasri is finishing up an 18-month doping ban and will be able to join up with a new club and play by the end of December. He's been allowed to train since November, per the report, and West Ham has moved quickly.

Sportswriter John Brewin couldn't help himself:

Signing Samir Nasri could be the shot in the arm that West Ham need.

— John Brewin (@JohnBrewin_) November 12, 2018

Nasri worked under Hammers manager Manuel Pellegrini at City, where he was a vital part of his teams. The 31-year-old is seen as a short-term replacement for Andriy Yarmolenko, who is out for the season.

The Frenchman will sign a six-month contract with an option for an additional year. The £80,000 wages are high, prompting football writer Jake Humphrey to wonder how it might impact contract talks with 19-year-old talent Declan Rice:

Declan Rice when he reads Samir Nasri is signing for WH for 80k a week... pic.twitter.com/BssiaVLr4L

— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) November 12, 2018

Per Football.London's Sam Inkersole, Rice told the Times he's eager to stay with the east London club, amid speculation linking him with several other teams.

Nasri last played for Turkish side Antalyaspor, but his contract was terminated after the doping ban became official. He played in the Premier League between 2008 and 2016 before leaving City for a one-year loan with Sevilla. 

Per Lewis he's badly out of shape, raising questions about te deal. Yarmolenko, Jack Wilshere and Andy Carroll have given the team enough fitness concerns already.

West Ham spent big in the summer on the likes of Felipe Anderson, Issa Diop and Yarmolenko but have fallen short of the expectations so far. They are 13th place in the Premier League standings, having won just one of their last five matches.

With 14 goals scored, the attack ranks in the middle of the Premier League pack, and the hope is the introduction of the creative Nasri could change that. His fitness is a concern, but with his ban yet to end, West Ham have ample time to do their homework.

West Ham United have confirmed the signing of Lucas Perez from Arsenal on a three-year contract. 

The Hammers announced the new acquisition on social media:

Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy? pic.twitter.com/Wl0Ul9VifT

— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 9, 2018

"I'm very happy to be here at such an historic club," he said to the club's official website. "I'm very excited, as West Ham are giving me the chance to stay in the Premier League and I'm very happy to be part of this new project. West Ham have great fans and play in an amazing stadium, so to sign here brings me great joy. I'm very motivated."

Perez makes the switch to West Ham two years after signing for the Gunners. He spent last season on loan at Deportivo la Coruna. 

Perez arrived at Arsenal in 2016 with a fine reputation, having previously excelled in La Liga with Deportivo. In the season before his switch to England the striker netted 17 goals in 36 appearances in the Spanish top flight.

Yet at the Emirates Stadium opportunities were at a premium, as Perez only featured in the Premier League in 11 appearances, scoring just one goal. Last season he moved back to Spain, scoring six times in 32 games.

Perez's influence was not limited to goalscoring, though:

Lucas Pérez created 79 chances in LaLiga in 2017/18; Lionel Messi (87) was the only player in the league to create more.

⚒ pic.twitter.com/32U4ZNpxKB

— Squawka (@Squawka) August 9, 2018

The forward will be desperate for some consistency in his career at this juncture and will hope to show he can make a big impression in England yet at the London Stadium. 

West Ham have had a busy summer already and are set to have a new-look team this term under manager Manuel Pellegrini. In addition to Perez, West Ham have signed Ryan Fredericks, Lukasz Fabianski, Issa Diop, Jack Wilshere, Andriy Yarmolenko, Fabian Balbuena and Felipe Anderson in this window.

It means expectations will be lifted for the capital club this season having flirted with relegation in the previous campaign.

Meanwhile, from an Arsenal perspective, football writer James McNicholas suggested Perez's sale may be good news for Danny Welbeck:

https://twitter.com/gunnerblog/status/1027468445670166528

Perez should be a useful option for Pellegrini. While it's clear he's creative and has an excellent left foot, the forward also has the pace to stretch opposition defences; he's also versatile enough to play as a centre-forward, a split striker or in wider positions when needed.

Given the acquisitions West Ham have made, not to mention the transformation of Marko Arnautovic into a central striker late last season, Perez will face serious competition for his place in the XI. Still, he should get many more opportunities at the London Stadium 

West Ham United confirmed the signing of Jack Wilshere on Monday on a three-year contract.

The Hammers announced the transfer with this clip on social media:

Our new midfielder has arrived... #WelcomeJack pic.twitter.com/kPd7hm4YxZ

— West Ham United (@WestHam) July 9, 2018

Having left Arsenal following the expiration of his contract at the end of last season, the midfielder makes the switch to the east London club on a free transfer.

"It feels good, it feels special," Wilshere, whose dad and brother are West Ham supporters, said to the club's official website. "Many people know that I've had a special bond with this club growing up. People will have seen the picture of me in a West Ham shirt and I've got good memories of my childhood supporting West Ham, watching them at Upton Park."

Wilshere arrives at West Ham amid what has been a busy summer for the club in the transfer window so far.

New Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini has already added Lukasz Fabianski, Issa Diop and Ryan Fredericks to his squad. According to BBC Sport, they are also close to getting a deal done for Borussia Dortmund winger Andriy Yarmolenko.

James Benge of the Evening Standard believes the Hammers have landed a fine player in the England international:

I'm certain Wilshere will be a success at West Ham. Still an exceptional player - a shame how things ended for him at Arsenal.

— James Benge (@jamesbenge) July 9, 2018

Wilshere heads to West Ham seeking to reignite a career that has stalled in recent years at the Emirates Stadium.

Despite showing immense potential as a teenager, the midfielder has failed to live up to the expectations so many had for him. In the main, that's due to injury problems, with the England international besieged by a number of issues—last term he started just 12 times in the top flight for Arsenal.

Nevertheless, there's no doubt there's talent to still tap into. He still showed flashes of brilliance for the Gunners last season and remains a player who can unlock the opposition with a defence-splitting pass or a surge forward.

Even so, as noted by the Football Ramble, there didn't appear to be many major clubs ready to take a punt on Wilshere:

A rare non-World Cup point: interesting how 'world class' Jack Wilshere is yet when he becomes available for transfer only West Ham and Fenebahce are interested 🤔

— Football Ramble (@FootballRamble) July 9, 2018

The upcoming season will be a huge one for the midfielder, as he will now be handed the chance to show he is still a high-class operator in English football's top flight. Perhaps even more crucially, it will be imperative for him to string together games in succession and build up some much-needed fitness.

While Wilshere has long been associated with Arsenal, the move to West Ham will clearly be stirring for him given the ties to the club his family has. That emotional stimulation and the chance of regular football means this move provides the ideal environment for the 26-year-old to get his career back on track again.

Newly appointed West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini was reportedly the victim of a mugging by armed robbers in Santiago, Chile, on Saturday.

Pellegrini and his wife, Carola Pucci, were on their way to a restaurant in Vitacura, an affluent Santiago suburb, when they were held up by robbers who then shot at police as they made their escape in a stolen Porsche Cayenne, per Gerard Couzens of the Mirror.

A handbag, reportedly belonging to Ms Pucci, has been recovered, and the car has been found abandoned. Nobody was hurt during the incident, added Couzens.

Chilean Pellegrini, 64, was appointed the new West Ham boss late last month following the departure of David Moyes.

His last Premier League position was at Manchester City, where he won a Premier League title and two League Cups between 2013 and 2016 before being replaced by Pep Guardiola.

After departing the Etihad Stadium, the former Villarreal, Real Madrid and Malaga boss took charge of Hebei China Fortune between 2016 and 2018.

Pellegrini's initial task at West Ham will be to ensure they avoid another relegation battle in the 2018-19 campaign.

Moyes led them to safety last season after replacing Slaven Bilic in November when the Hammers sat 18th in the Premier League table.  

West Ham United appointed former Real Madrid and Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini as their new manager Tuesday. 

The club announced the deal via their official Twitter account, as Pellegrini put pen to paper on a three-year deal:

Your new West Ham United manager... #WelcomePellegrini pic.twitter.com/UuPWfGCZbz

— West Ham United (@WestHam) May 22, 2018

"I am excited about this project," Pellegrini told West Ham's official website. "My mentality is always to have a winning mentality and I will hope that I can repeat here what I did with all my clubs here in Europe, where I have always arrived in European competition."  

He added:

"I know that this league is very good and it’s not easy to do it, but I think that working all together with the owners, the technical staff and the fans, we have an important power and can think about reaching important targets for the season.

"I think West Ham has a very good team. I know all of the players and I saw most of the games that they played last season, so I am sure that, with the players we have in this moment in the squad, and bringing maybe another four or five players in, we are going to have a strong team."

Bleacher Report's Dean Jones gave his take on the appointment:

Pellegrini is a decent appointment for West Ham. Now he has to hope the board back his vision for the squad and stop making silly headlines of their own.

— Dean Jones (@DeanJonesSoccer) May 22, 2018

Joint-chairman David Sullivan gave an indication the club would be backing him in the transfer market.

In a statement accompanying Pellegrini's announcement, Sullivan said "the club believe he will attract new talent to the London Stadium" and that he will soon "get down to shaping the squad he wants."

The 64-year-old departed Hebei China Fortune on Saturday having been with the Chinese club since leaving City in 2016.

Pellegrini is in his 30th year of management and brings with him an impressive CV.

He won three league titles and as many cup competitions in South America, before winning the Premier League in 2014 with City as well as two League Cups.

OptaJoe shared his impressive record in English football:

2.03 - Manuel Pellegrini is one of only seven managers to have taken charge of 50+ Premier League matches and to have secured at least two points per game on average (2.03). Hammer. #WelcomePellegrini pic.twitter.com/XnqSWD01el

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 22, 2018

The Chilean also spent one season with Real Madrid in 2009-10. Although Los Blancos failed to win La Liga that year, they achieved a total of 96 points under Pellegrini, which was a club record at the time.

Hammers fans might be particularly interested in his time at Villarreal and Malaga, who are more comparable in terms of size and stature with the Irons.

Pellegrini guided Malaga to fourth and sixth in his two full seasons there, while in five years with Villarreal, he finished as high as second and never lower than seventh.

West Ham will be hoping he can have a similar impact at the London Stadium. Since they regained their position in the Premier League in 2012, following their relegation a year earlier, they've only managed two top-half finishes.

Reporter and commentator Ian Abrahams told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show on TalkSport that West Ham need to back him in the transfer market to ensure he's a worthwhile appointment:

"Unless he's backed by the board, it's a waste of time"@BroadcastMoose has his say on Manuel Pellegrini, who looks set to take over at #WHUFC.

Is it a good appointment Hammers fans? ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/Li4iJ4U3UK

— talkSPORT Boxing (@boxing_ts) May 21, 2018

Pellegrini is perhaps the best coach the Hammers could realistically have hired, so landing him is quite the coup.

His time at Villarreal and Malaga shows his ability to work on limited budgets, which will be useful as the Hammers don't have the resources to compete with England's elite. However, it would be a waste not to take advantage of his presence at the club by failing to back him.

West Ham United have confirmed that David Moyes will not have his contract extended at the London Stadium and will depart as the club's manager.

The Hammers announced the decision on their official website on Wednesday:

"I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to David Moyes and his staff for achieving the target of keeping West Ham United in the Premier League." - Joint-Chairman David Sullivanhttps://t.co/GOROcGkLyn

— West Ham United (@WestHam) May 16, 2018

"I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to David Moyes and his staff for achieving the target of keeping West Ham United in the Premier League," said co-chairman David Sullivan. "Throughout his time here, David has carried himself with dignity and honesty and we have all found him to be a pleasure to work with."

Moyes was appointed by West Ham in November on a short-term deal after the departure of Slaven Bilic.

When the Scotsman took over, the club were down in 18th position in the Premier League table, and despite some wobbles late in the campaign, he eventually steered them to 13th position.

Despite that, the club have decided the 55-year-old is not the man to take them forward. Per Jacob Steinberg of the Guardian, the club have already held discussions with Shakhtar Donetsk manager Paulo Fonseca about taking over the position.

As noted by Steinberg, the message coming out of the club from those in positions of power is confusing at the moment:

Last night David Gold, West Ham’s co-owner, said he hoped Moyes would stay. That was a day after David Sullivan, the other owner, met Paulo Fonseca. Today Moyes leaves. I am confused #whufc

— Jacob Steinberg 🎗️ (@JacobSteinberg) May 16, 2018

Moyes arrived at West Ham with his reputation in tatters, as he was in charge as Sunderland dropped into the Championship after a miserable 2016-17.

Prior to that, he had endured torrid spells with both Manchester United and Real Sociedad. Moyes had previously established himself as a fine coach during an 11-year stint with Everton, during which time he made the Toffees into regular challengers for European places.

At West Ham, Moyes did settle the team down and was able to rejuvenate some players who had been underperforming. The most notable improvement came in the game of Marko Arnautovic, who has been converted into a centre-forward and been exceptional.

Jonathan Northcroft of the Sunday Times pointed to some of the other positive moves Moyes made during his brief time at the club:

Moyes:

Arrived with WHUFC 18th
Finished 13th
Got Arnautovic playing
Found Masuaku's position
Had Reid, Obiang, Carroll, Lanzini, Antonio injured
Cleaned up culture/discipline
Restored work ethic
As owners hid, dealt with their crises
Nae cash

Good luck to the next guy...

— Jonathan Northcroft (@JNorthcroft) May 15, 2018

Nevertheless, West Ham clearly have big ambitions, and to fill the London Stadium every week, an exciting side is needed. Moyes is not the manager who will bring gripping football to east London.

The potential is there for the Hammers to do well with the right manager, as there are talented players in the squad and a fanbase backing them desperate for success. However, in recent years, the higher-ups at the club have made a string of bad decisions; it's imperative they get this one right when appointing Moyes' successor.

West Ham United are "demanding changes" to how the London Stadium is run via an emergency meeting with the venue's landlords London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), per Sky Sports. 

The Hammers have struggled with crowd control throughout their time at the London Stadium, culminating in pitch invasions and a protest in front of the directors' box during the 3-0 defeat to Burnley on March 10.

It is understood that the fans' safety remains the club's primary concern.

The protests that marred the match against Burnley—West Ham's most recent outing at the London Stadium—has triggered a flurry of action from within the club, beginning with a "series of emergency meetings" with an aim to take "decisive and positive action," per an official statement on the club website.

West Ham's response comes as fans show their increasing unhappiness with the way David Gold and David Sullivan are running the club. Prior to the in-game protests against Burnley Hammers fans had planned to march beforehand, only for a prominent fan group to call off the protest following positive talks with vice-chairman Karren Brady.

This turn of events has itself caused a serious rift between different factions of West Ham fans, per Miguel Delaney for The Independent, and it is seen as one of the "triggers" for the events that unfolded during the 3-0 defeat to Burnley.

West Ham's meeting with the LLDC is likely to be frosty, since the club are taking the organisation to the High Court over the number of fans allowed on matchdays, with West Ham believing they are contractually allowed to fill 60,000, a number the LLDC disputes. They also want more control over branding of the stadium to appease fans who do not feel the London Stadium is their home.

The outcome of these meetings could have a significant impact on the relationship between the board and fans. A leading fan group, the West Ham United Independent Supporters Association (WHUISA), will reportedly take a vote on March 31 to decide whether to "reinstate plans for a protest march," per Simon Stone for BBC Sport.

"If the majority of members want a march, it is our obligation to do that," said Mark Walker, chairman of the WHUISA.

It is unsurprising, then, that West Ham are calling for change in their emergency meeting with the LLDC. The FA has already confirmed it "strongly condemns" the scenes against Burnley, per Tom Doyle for the Evening Standard, while Sky Sports reports the governing body are considering charging the east London club.

West Ham are on a run of one win from their last seven games in all competitions, with the players reportedly worried "the toxic atmosphere" at the London Stadium will "harm their battle against relegation," per Jacob Steinberg for the Guardian.

Things have gone from bad to worse for the Hammers. West Ham may be talking urgently with the LLDC, but after fans called for mass resignations during the club's most recent Premier League encounter, supporters will likely be demanding changes far wider-ranging than those being requested of their club's landlords.

West Ham United fans invaded the pitch as their side lost 3-0 to Burnley at the London Stadium on Saturday. 

Disgruntled supporters confronted players, and Hammers captain Mark Noble attempted to restrain one fan, as protests against the club's owners led to ugly scenes, per the London Evening Standard.

At least three fans entered the pitch as West Ham fell behind to a goal from Ashley Barnes, followed by a brace from his strike partner Chris Wood.

Tyrone Marshall of the Lancashire Telegraph described some of the chaotic and aggressive scenes:

All going off now. Three pitch invaders on to remonstrate with West Ham players. Mark Noble starts fighting with one. Another confronts Zabaleta. Never seen anything like it

— Tyrone Marshall (@TyMarshall_MEN) March 10, 2018

Marshall's thoughts were echoed by Sky Sports' Hush Kerai, who described how the invasions from the stands went from the dangerous to the ridiculous and back again:

https://twitter.com/HushKerai/status/972510981023727618

Johnny Phillips of Sky Sports detailed how violent behaviour in the crowd led Burnley substitutes to protect some of the youngsters in the crowd:

Burnley substitutes let kids onto the bench to escape fighting in stands #WHUBUR pic.twitter.com/VVaVNoxICj

— Johnny Phillips (@SkyJohnnyP) March 10, 2018

Things got heated once Barnes had put Burnley in front on 66 minutes. Some fans made their way onto the pitch, with Noble bringing one interloper to the ground, before goalkeeper Joe Hart stepped in to act as peacemaker.

More irate supporters followed suit as Wood doubled the Clarets' lead. It was left to Hammers centre-back James Collins to lead them away, according to Sky Sports.

West Ham's defeat has seen the club drop to 16th and three points above the relegation zone. As the Evening Standard report detailed, angry supporters focused their ire towards co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold, with major changes at board level desired.

This prompted some nasty scenes and further darkened the mood around a club struggling both on and off the pitch.