West Ham update on transfer window

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Joint-Chairman David Sullivan has updated supporters on the Club's transfer deadline day activity

Yesterday was an incredibly long day as we undertook hours of meetings and negotiations to try to bring in new faces. I would say that the end result versus effort would put it up there as one of the most frustrating transfer deadline days I can remember.

I can assure you‎ that the absence of any deals was certainly not through lack of trying but I am satisfied that doing no deadline day business is better than doing the wrong business. Throughout this month we have said we are comfortable with the squad we have and our main focus was ensuring that we kept hold of our best assets and I am pleased that we have successfully done that.

However, our desire to try to bring in new faces was heightened by what happened at Anfield on Saturday, with all three central defenders suffering injuries. We prioritised that position and targeted two experienced Premier League defenders but could not reach an agreement with them over the length of their deals. We then appeared to have reached an agreement with a rising star central defender from overseas, but that deal fell through at the eleventh hour as his club would not have had time to replace him. We do rate the player so it could be that we look to resurrect our interest again at the end of the season.

Further forward, it was widely reported that Carlton Cole was in talks to join West Bromwich Albion, but we made clear he could only leave if a suitable replacement was found. We thought we had one experienced Premier League striker lined up, only for his Club to pull out of the deal at the last minute. I think we take the reasons they gave as a backhanded compliment, with our improvements on the field and our increased success off it meaning we are now viewed as rivals that shouldn't be dealt with!

Finally, we looked into the possibility of Mauro Zarate returning from loan, with Matt Jarvis going ‎the other way in search of more first-team football, but that deal was ruled out by the Premier League once it seemed set to go through.

Overall, we are still happy with the make-up of the squad and have faith in those players that have helped us get to the strong position we find ourselves in today. The priority was not to lose any of them and I am pleased we have done that. I also take satisfaction that we have been sensible financially and not committed to big contracts for older players. We have a clear philosophy on bringing in the right players for this football club and I am pleased we have stuck to our guns.

Would you believe, we now only have four months until the start of the summer window and with significant funds being made available again, our planning for that period can now begin in earnest.

Thank you for your continued support as ever.

David Sullivan