da brwin： West Ham are a club with lofty ambitions.
da dobrowin： This season saw them move into the London Stadium, increasing the capacity by practically double what Upton Park offered. They used this move and an impressive campaign last time out, in which they finished 7th, to justify splashing the cash this summer.
They signed a multitude of players, but the Hammers haven’t always enjoyed such fortunes in the transfer market – having spent several years milling about in mid-table, countless underwhelming signings have passed through the east London doors.
And those juxtaposing eras of West Ham’s history have us at Football FanCast very intrigued, particularly in regards to the club’s ten most expensive signings of all time.
Whilst some went on to etch their name in Hammers folk law, others quickly proved not fit for purpose. With that in mind, here’s a rundown of West Ham’s ten most expensive signings of all time – aided by our good mates at Transfermarkt.co.uk.
Craig Bellamy
Entering the list as the Hammers’ tenth most expensive signing is Craig Bellamy, who signed for £9.5m.
He joined in 2007 but was deeply unlucky with injuries and restricted to only nine games during his debut campaign, in which he netted four times.
However, he was fit for the 2008/09 season and great form in the winter months saw him tipped for a move away.
Manchester City eventually tabled a bid of £16million, which the Irons reluctantly accepted. Bellamy left the Hammers with an impressive goals-per-game ratio but featured too little to be considered a success.
Verdict: Flop
Kieron Dyer
Dyer cost the Hammers £10.2m back in 2007 and he signed after five very fruitful years at Newcastle United.
A lot was expected of Dyer and he made his debut in a 1-0 away win at Birmingham City.
That’s where the positives end for Dyer and West Ham though! He broke his leg in a League Cup tie in the next match and never really returned to full fitness.
After four years, Dyer only featured 30 times for West Ham in the Premier League and never scored. He was released at the end of his contract in 2011.
Verdict: Flop
Manuel Lanzini
Number eight in the list is the Argentinian playmaker Manuel Lanzini, who was bought for £10.2m from Al-Jazira.
The 23-year-old was on loan at Upton Park last season and scored 6 times in 25 league appearances but always looked assured on the ball and created loads of chances for his teammates.
He has scored two goals in the Premier League this season after joining on a permanent deal, too.
Whilst his performances are still under scrutiny as he is technically only a recent signing, things are looking good for the attacking midfielder.
Verdict: Hit
Matthew Upson
On the last day of the 2007 transfer window, Birmingham City accepted a transfer bid that could rise to £10.7m for their impressive centre-half.
Upson went on to make well over 100 appearances for the Hammers, netting four times.
He was announced as the club captain when Lucas Neill departed but he was also part of the team relegated from the top flight in 2011 and released at the expiry of his contract.
However, he was still a good player for the Hammers.
Verdict: Hit (Just)
Carlos Tevez
Tevez comes in as the joint 5th most expensive signing in West Ham’s history alongside fellow countryman Javier Mascherano.
They both set West Ham back £12.4m respectively but it was one of the most controversial signings in Premier League history.
West Ham were fined heavily for their transfer dealings with the two Argentinians but that still kept them in the Premier League, whilst Sheffield United suffered relegation from the top flight.
However, Tevez was instrumental in keeping West Ham afloat, scoring 7 goals in 26 league appearances and netting the goal that saved them in a 1-0 away win at Manchester United.
Tevez left to join the Red Devils in the summer but is still seen as a hero at West Ham.
Verdict: Hit
Javier Mascherano
Tevez’s Argentinian friend Mascherano didn’t enjoy the same successes at West Ham.
He only made five league appearances for the Hammers despite being linked with some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
West Ham were awarded a £5.5m fine for their role in the signings but that didn’t matter as they remained a Premier League team.
Mascherano eventually transferred to Liverpool before moving to Barcelona where he remains today.
He might be sensational now, but he wasn’t for West Ham.
Verdict: Flop
Dimitri Payet
Without doubt, this man comes into the list as West Ham’s greatest signing in the modern era.
The Hammers forked out £12.75m on the 29-year-old and many questioned whether he was a bit too old for a sum of money that high.
However, he wowed the doubters with a string of impressive performances last season. He is renowned for his incredible free-kicks but he has so much more to offer than incredible set pieces.
He impressed for France during the Euros too, but West Ham were able to hold on to their man and they will hope he can fire them up the table again.
Verdict: Hit
Enner Valencia
The Ecuadorian signed for West Ham for £12.75m in 2014 and a lot was expected of him.
He scored a wonderful goal away at Hull but apart from that he was largely disappointing for the Hammers.
He scored eight goals in 54 Premier League appearances before being surprisingly loaned out to Everton on transfer deadline day this summer.
Verdict: Flop
Andy Carroll
Andy Carroll was West Ham’s most expensive signing until this summer.
He was signed for £15m and was expected to lead the line for the Hammers in an attempt to return to the form that inspired Liverpool to spend over £30m for him.
He was initially loaned to West Ham and impressed, netting seven times in 24 Premier League appearances in the 12-13 season.
However, frequent injuries have affected his time in London and he’s only scored a further 16 league goals for the Hammers in the last 3 years.
It’s not all over for Carroll but he must return to fitness and form to be considered a good signing.
Verdict: Flop
Andre Ayew
It seems to be a curse with new signings for West Ham – even the most expensive signing in the Hammers’ history was struck a cruel blow almost instantaneously.
The £20.5m record acquisition signing suffered a thigh injury 35 minutes into his debut and he’s been stuck on the sidelines ever since.
However, the Ghanaian striker impressed for Swansea in his first season in the Premier League, netting on twelve occasions.
If he can return to the form that helped the Swans last season, he will still become a good signing – but it’s too early to make a decision.
Verdict: Jury’s out.