West Ham Rumors

1. Southampton have signed West Ham United goalkeeper Richard Wright.

The England cap joins Saints on a month's loan and West Ham's goalkeeping coach Ludek Miklosko said: "Richard is a fantastic lad and we thought he just needs to play. There was an opportunity for him to get some games and I just wish him luck.

"Hopefully he will do well. That's what he needs. He has definitely helped Robert this season. He has pushed him hard and is a great goalkeeper. He has a great attitude."

2. West Ham United and Celtic are eyeing Rennes defender John Mensah.

Rennes are prepared to cash in on the Ghana international in the summer and the stopper is keen to continue his career in the UK.

3. West Ham United striker Dean Ashton must prove his worth in the remainder of the season if he wants a pay-rise.

The Times says the club would prefer to wait for Ashton - who has been plagued by injury - to return to the kind of form that earned him an England call-up before extending his deal, which has two years remaining.

4. West Ham United chief executive Scott Duxbury says the club's finances won't be affected by the present difficulties in the banking sector.

Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, the West Ham chairman, has a significant stake in Landsbanki, an Icelandic bank.

"I think his wealth has gone down from £1.2 billion to £1.1 billion, so I don't think he has too much to worry about," Duxbury said.

5. West Ham United chief Scott Duxbury says they're unlikely to spend big in the summer market.

"I think when all our players are fit and we can play Dean Ashton up front with Craig Bellamy or Freddie Sears, when Julien Faubert gets a chance, when we can play Scott Parker and Kieron Dyer in midfield, then we are capable of making the top six, and that is our aim," Duxbury said. "I think there will be money for signings, but I am not sure we want to use it."

The club spent about £18 million in the January transfer window last season and about £30 million in the summer, although much of that was recouped in sales. The summer arrivals, such as Fredrik Ljungberg, Parker, Bellamy and Dyer, signed for relatively high wages as the club made a considerable investment in the expectation of success. The club did not sign a player in the January transfer window.

"If we bring in big-money signings, then we are not going to see the players who we have already get a chance to show what they can do," Duxbury told The Times. "What sort of message are we sending out to Sears if we buy another big-money striker? Obviously, we will look to bring in players where we need a bit of cover, but perhaps we will bring in a younger striker and let him learn from the more experienced players."