I understand that some people expect there to be new news in each one of these columns.  As a site we do not put out any old bit of news for clicks, we put out reliable and accurate news.  It is our motto.  I do not believe in making up stories and so yes some stories you have heard elsewhere but I elaborate on them and confirm those which I believe are true and those that are not.

Tomkins to Crystal Palace:  This deal is likely to go through on Monday and will have a set fee of around £10m with other money to be made on clauses.  This is a deal that we reported happening on the 22nd May here: Original Tomkins News, and we outlined the reasons for the deal being likely to go through.  It is sad to see the end of a local lad who came through the academy but the fee is good for effectively our forth choice centre back.  This money will go straight into the signing fund along with Valencia’s fee when he departs soon too.  It is also said that Burke may be given his chance to fight for the forth spot and play in the European matches.  Tomkins also revealed that he wasn’t very keen to be considered a right back either and the move seems best for both parties.  The thought of James wearing a Palace shirt instead of ours though is a little hard to imagine and to take.

The club continue to work on forward targets.  As I keep saying we have a number of bids in for various players (approximately 10-12).  It is quite an interesting tactic.  On the list are:  Bacca, Pelle, Janssen, Lacazette, Batshuayi (although he is obviously likely to complete his Chelsea move soon), Gomez, Zaza, Milik, Benteke, Calleri, Ben Yedder and Braithwaite.  These targets could change depending on what other clubs do.  There are two other players that I am aware of but these are players that we haven’t contacted their clubs over.  We may do so but no official approach has gone in.  One player is domestic based and the other is actually ex Manchester United star and current Fenerbahce striker, Robin Van Persie, although his excessive wages and injury record may be a stumbling block to get any deal done with the 32 year old Dutch international.  His agent has offered the player to us and depending on how “higher up on the list” targets go he could be someone that we turn to.  Which of these targets we will end up with I am very unsure on at this point and I think the same can be said for the club. Despite lots of press coverage I do not believe that the Nigerian player Musa has ever been a target and will not be joining.

The club appear to be getting quite frustrated at the Tore deal taking so long and dealing with the Turkish club has been very difficult. We also wish to sign Hutchinson too.  There is some thought that unless Besiktas start to play ball soon we may have to look elsewhere for a different wing target.  The back up option for Tore was originally Ritchie but as we all know he has joined Newcastle.  It could be that Slaven Bilic abandons his plans to use Antonio as a right back and signs a right back allowing Antonio to be the winger at the club rather than Tore.  This right back could be the Belgium one Meunier.  That isn’t Bilic’s favoured approach though – he wants Tore and he wants Antonio at right back but if it can’t be concluded his hand may be forced.

Bilic has a little bit of a conundrum with Randolph.  There have been some clubs expressing interest in signing him and making him their number one.  Randolph loves the club but the offer of first team football could be enough to persuade him to leave.  Slaven wants to keep him here and will offer him the number 1 spot for all cup competitions and hopefully with Europe that should give him a number of games.

There have also been enquires for Obiang which I think will be accepted.  If Obiang goes we will sign another central midfielder too.  The club have a number one target for this position already identified.

The new kit should launch within the next week with a special launch planned at the stadium along with “another” exciting event.

I was out with David Sullivan Jnr and West Ham Social last night at Faces.  It was a really good night and Sullivan Jnr has done really well with these events.  I am delighted to say that West Ham Social will be helping to write articles on the site from now on too.   Myself and SDCC also have some really exciting news to announce soon but we will wait until it is all confirmed too.

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