There surely hasn’t been a ‘last week of the window’ like it in recent memory – [West Ham’](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-play-hardball-as-paqueta-pushes-for-villa-transfer/)s transfer window burst into life last week with two late deals but a host of rumoured ‘outgoings’ – both scheduled and unscheduled – combining to make for a nail-biting last 48 hours for fans and a big challenge for the Manager to keep the squad focussed and prepared for todays [Nottingham Forest](https://www.claretandhugh.info/nottingham-forest-v-west-ham-preview-team-news-predicted-line-ups/) game.
If ever there were reasons to close the transfer window before the Premier League commencement, this weekend’s briefing, counter-briefing, rumours and hijacking skullduggery surely demand an end to this unsatisfactory transfer hang over.
One player who looks like he’s staying, and more importantly, in view of some of the reports, _happy to be staying_, is Hammers’ **Tomas Soucek.** Rumoured in the last few days to be the subject of late Everton bids, the Czech captain appears to be delighted to remain for another season as a West Ham player after speaking in pretty unequivocal, plain language, directed at West Ham fans via _whufc.com:_
_““My message to the fans is that I love them. They are incredible, and we’re going to need them on Sunday. Hopefully together we can get the win we all want.”_
Big Sou is quite evidently Claret and Blue through and through and bleeds for the cause. Pretty clear where his loyalties lie, _unlike some who’ve been in the press this weekend._