Ba rumours: not humbug

So, while David Gold has been preoccupied hailing West Ham's capture of Kevin Nolan as "the coup of the transfer window", we've snapped up the only striker in claret and blue who can justifiably claim to have done anything much to try and keep them in the Premier League. A nifty bit of opportunism on our part, nipping in ahead of the pack to take advantage of a release clause in Demba Ba's contract.

Ba managed the not insignificant feat of looking decent in a woefully out-of-sorts side that ended up seven points adrift of 17th, and gave the impression of being a complete striker - good in the air but also very handy on the deck. Big Lad will rightly be fearing for his place. The only real cause for concern is his injury record - he has a bit of a chequered history when it comes to medicals. Still, as a free transfer he doesn't represent quite so much of a financial gamble as he might.

Interesting to read too that once again players past and present have been instrumental in selling the club to a prospective signing. This time it was Hatem Ben Arfa, born in a neighbouring area of Paris to Ba, who helped out on marketing duties. Good lad. Wonder if they're all on commission?

Meanwhile, our chances of signing Sebastian Larsson look to have shrunk, with the ex-Birmingham man claiming that, surprisingly, his former club Arsenal have shown "some kind of interest". Also unlikely to report for pre-season training with us is Kazenga LuaLua, on the verge of joining Gus Poyet's Championship new boys Brighton on a permanent deal, while Leon Best has apparently been put up for sale.