West Ham’s £44 million intent shows nobody learns and nothing changes
A sense of dejà vu descended when the reports started coming in linking West Ham with a move for a Bayern Munich cast off who has only been at the Bundesliga side for a year but struggled with injury and illness. When his age is factored in – he’ll be thirty by the time the window opens in June – it becomes a typical ‘old fashioned’ West Ham pursuit of an over the hill player with injury issues at an enormous price.
There is no doubt that Joao Palhinha was a very, very good defensive midfielder during his time at Fulham: Bayern Munich were so convinced they paid £44 million to bring him to the Bundesliga where he hasn’t set the world on fire. According to Football Fancast,, “West Ham have come knocking” for the Portugese international:
“One area in which the Hammers are looking to strengthen is central midfield, according to BILD reporter Falk, who has recently revealed that Joao Palhinha is of interest, amid doubts over the Portugal international’s Bayern Munich future.
Falk said: “Fulham are among the interested parties. They know what they have, but according to our information, West Ham has also come knocking.”
But missing over two months of the season with muscle injuries and struggling to get back into the side, Palhinha would take West Ham back to the bad old days of signing thirty year old players – with no residual value – for premium prices. Don’t they ever learn?
Moyes brought the 30 year-old Ward-Prowse to West Ham for ‘just’ the £30 million, based on what a good player he undoubtedly used to be:£40 million for another 30 year-old with just a couple of years left at the top shows that the Hammers don’t seem to learn from their mistakes.
Loan, definitely – with an option, maybe – but forty million quid-plus?
Considering Edson Alvarez was reported today as being a likely sale at a knockdown £10 million – (westhamzone) – surely not. Someone’s having a laugh. Most certainly not me.
