Louis Van Gaal may be forced to backtrack on his decision not to sign anyone in January now that it looks like Winston Reid will be available…
Louis Van Gaal has today said that his side will not be making any new signings this January, but his determination to work with what he has may be tested by the availability of West Ham centre-back Winston Reid, a player who has been linked with the Red Devils since the summer.
The defender, who signed for the Hammers after excelling for New Zealand at World Cup 2010, is available on a free this summer when his contract expires.
This means that a club can sign him in a pre-contract in January, or could tempt West Ham with a cut-price offer.
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And Daily Mail journalist Lee Clayton has worrying news for fans of the East London side, indicating that Reid looks set to depart Upton Park sooner rather than later.
Don’t like what I’m hearing about Winston Reid. Had always assumed he would stay at #whufc and it was negotiating tactic. Not so sure now.
— Lee Clayton (@LeeClayton_) December 12, 2014
No meant as a tease. On Reid, negotiations falling away (but not dead). Hopes are not high. Wants to play for ‘a big club’. Hmm.
— Lee Clayton (@LeeClayton_) December 12, 2014
A defiant Sam Allardyce has also had his say on the matter, and laid down the law, saying the defender is “not going anywhere, unless someone bids £20m or something like that.”
West Ham are fourth in the Premier League after winning eight of their first 15 games this season, and Reid has maintained his good form from last season throughout that run.