West Ham's Transfer Roundup

Mauro Zarate has joined Queens Park Rangers on loan until the end of the season. Zarate, who only joined in the summer, hasn’t enjoyed the best of starts to his West Ham career and it’s hoped that the temporary switch to West London will help revitalise that. Zarate, 27, has had somewhat of a mini feud with manager Sam Allardyce claiming Big Sam hasn’t played him enough as he would’ve liked or using his talents to suit the team. Zarate will wear number 29 at the R’s and has eventually joined after it was rumoured he failed a medical. QPR saw off a late flurry of interest from Crystal Palace, amongst other Premier League clubs, according to the Mirror.

Source: qpr.co.uk

Brighton defender Lewis Dunk has been identified as a potential replacement for Winston Reid if he leaves in January according to the usually reliable @ExWHUemployee. West Ham have sent scouts to watch Dunk numerous times throughout 2014 and he fits the philosophy of signing younger players who can, either now or in the future, become West Ham United regulars, much like the Aaron Cresswell deal in the summer and potentially the Doneil Henry deal. Former Brighton boss Sami Hyypiä said in October he expected interest, particularly from Spurs and Newcastle, for the 23 year old centre back who helped to send Brighton through the FA Cup fourth round, netting the first away at Brentford.

Sam Allardyce has gone on record to say that he doesn’t expect Winston Reid to sign a new contract, meaning he would be free to leave for nothing come summertime. Big Sam said on Monday “It’s highly unlikely Winston is going to sign for us based on what people have said to me” buy also confirmed there has been no approaches for Reid so far in this transfer window, however if he does leave in the summer it’s thought there will be a whole host of clubs vying for the New Zealander’s signature, including Arsenal and Liverpool. A few rumoured replacements for Reid are Nicolas N’Koulou from Marseille or Antonio Rudiger from Stuttgart. A good few hours after Allardyce’s comments, Daily Mail journalist Lee Clayton claimed that Winston Reid had been offered to Spurs of all clubs, however they don’t seem too sure on signing him. It would be a shame if he was to change East for North.

The Daily Mail are reporting that West Ham are set to rival Italian giants AC Milan for the signature of Atletico Madrid midfielder Mario Suarez. Suarez was originally wanted as a short-term replacement for Alex Song, now retired from international football, who was expected to represent Cameroon at the African Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea. However, with the news that Song is staying put, the Suarez deal could be off with AC Milan and Arsenal also rumoured to be interested.

Turkish club Besiktas’ fansite KaraKartal has come out with a story that West Ham, Newcastle and Tottenham are all chasing former Hammer, and Toon, striker Demba Ba. As with Carlos Tevez, a Demba Ba rumour seems to pop up every window and this year is no different. However, chances of the Besiktas frontman returning to England have been slashed, with Besiktas’ vice-president Ahmet Nur Çebi saying that Ba is enjoying his time in Istanbul.

The Daily Mail is reporting both Swansea City and West Ham United are considering a bid for Hoffenheim forward Anthony Modeste. The French striker has scored four goals in 11 appearances for Hoffenheim this season and reportedly wants a second crack at the Premier League following an unsuccessful loan spell with Blackburn Rovers from Bordeaux in 2012. Modeste’s apparent valuation? £5 million. Crystal Palace and Hull City are also rumoured to be lurking in the wings if West Ham nor Swansea make a move.