Actually, he had a 3 year contract, but we took advantage of a clause that allowed him to leave on a free if WHUFC were relegated Pretty much a free agent but that was the jist of things.
Soooooo, West Ham paid an 800k down payment to Hoffenheim for Ba, who now settles the bill with Hoffenheim? I don't believe for a second that West Ham will be stumping the additional £4.2 million or so for a player to sign for the Toon, it's fantasy. My guess is that the Toon pay Hoffenheim, but can call it 'free' as he signed from West Ham, who technically didn't own him yet.
I wouldn't believe the word of a kid who thinks that Cramlington is in Newcastle: do they not teach you geography at school these days lad?
West Ham owe Hoffenheim the money, that is if they havn't paid yet. A clause was put in Ba's contract when he signed with WH that stated he could leave for a free if the club were relegated. I assume putting this clause in was the only way Ba would sign for them given their position at the time and the club obviously thought they'd claw out of it. You jealous?
Not jealous, but i do think it's a great signing, and i think he'd have been quality for us. I just find it hard to believe that West Ham would shell £5million and give a free in 6 months, but then, Gold, and more so Sullivan, are ****ing imbeciles of the highest order. Before anyone says 'self made millionaires', i could have stuck pictures of tits and made up stories in a ****ing paper were i 20 year older, hardly mensa ****.
Mate..... Dyer, Ljungberg and the Tevez scandal are the only three I can think of at the minute but West Ham's signings have always been ****e/a huge waste of money/dubious
This is a valid enough point, but paying £5million to give a player away is a whole new level, like i say, i won't pretend i don't think it's a good signing, it is, it would be for £5-6million even, the lads a goalscorer. Dreadful mate, dreadful.
They obviously thought they needed him to stay up and thought with him they would stay up so there was no danger. If the rest of the team weren't so ****e he probably would have kept them up because he was awesome even in a dire team. What's £5m compared to staying in the league
That's clearly what's happened, and fair play that you made the move. As i fully concur, the lad looks a very good signing to me, failing a medical could be for something that doesn't even effect you playing football, it probably just means the clubs uninsured if he gets twanged, but if he's free, it's no lose. You need another in to play alongside him mind.
Correct, Erding next looking likely. Oh, and apparently Barnetta is currently staying in a hotel in Newcastle and is about to sign . I can't remember the last time I was so impressed with our signings and potential signings. Tiote £3.5m, Ben Arfa £5m, Gosling free, Ba free, Cabaye £4.5m, next very possibly Erding and Barnetta...... Awesome stuff recently like.
Don't rate Erding mind, was abit concerned when we were linked, you'd be better looking for someone quicker, Erding disappears out of games when it doesn't go his way, and he doesn't then pop up and score, he will not make it in the premier. He disappeared for 10-15 games mid season and ultimately cost PSG champions league football, hence they signed Gameiro and want shot.
