Hammers active in transfer market
West Ham set the pace on a relatively quiet day in the transfer window with moves for Joe Cole and promising Irish striker Sean Maguire.
While Everton and Stoke both announced new long-term contracts for centre-backs Phil Jagielka and Ryan Shawcross respectively, the Hammers are set to sign Cole, who started his career at Upton Park, on a free transfer.
The signing of Maguire, a Republic of Ireland Under-19 striker from Waterford United, has already gone through and the Hammers have also been linked with a loan move for Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh.
Tottenham have also signed a promising young player with former England youth international defender Zeki Fryers, 20, moving from Standard Liege.
Shawcross, who made his England debut earlier this season, has signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract, much to the delight of Stoke boss Tony Pulis.
Pulis said: “It’s fantastic for us as a football club. We’re really, really pleased to have him.
“He’s been the bedrock of what we’ve been trying to do over the past five or six years and we’re really pleased that he’s finally agreed.”
Meanwhile, Jagielka’s new contract at Everton keeps him at Goodison Park until 2017.
Manchester United confirmed that their midfielder Bebe has joined Portuguese side Real Ave on loan until the end of the season.
Demba Ba’s move to Chelsea has still yet to be completed despite Newcastle boss Alan Pardew saying the deal was “done,” but the Blues hope he will be registered in time to play at the weekend.
In Scotland, Celtic’s Nigerian midfielder Rabiu Ibrahim has joined Kilmarnock on a two-year deal after playing just two games for Neil Lennon’s side.
