West Ham go on defensive with Collins, Ramis and Boenisch deals

Posted Tuesday, July 31, 2012 by Metro.co.uk

West Ham go on defensive with Collins, Ramis and Boenisch deals
Hammering home a move: Ivan Ramis of Real Mallorca

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has already signed Jussi Jaaskelainen, Raphael Spiegel, Mohamed Diame and Modibo Maiga this summer, but wants up to five more players before the start of the season.

West Ham are currently working on an £18 million deal for Liverpool striker Andy Carroll, but in the meantime, Allardyce is set to complete a hat-trick of defensive signings to help boost numbers at the back.

The club have beaten off competition from Sunderland and Wigan to land Real Mallorca powerhouse Ivan Ramis for £5 million, while Aston Villa's out-of-favour Welshman James Collins is poised to re-join his former side for a nominal fee.

Ramis and Collins are due to complete their moves to the Boleyn Ground in the next 24 hours, but Allardyce won't stop there, after pushing ahead with a contract offer for free agent full-back Boenisch.

The Poland international is currently without a club after leaving Werder Bremen last month, and despite interest from a host of Bundesliga clubs, he is keen to try his luck in England.

Talks are still ongoing over the length of his contract, with the player keen on a three-year-deal, while West Ham are only willing to offer two.
Elsewhere, the Hammers are also set to make a decision on whether to buy London-born
Galatasaray striker Colin Kazim-Richards, who has impressed during a trial in East London.

Kazim-Richards has been told he can quit the Turkish outfit for a nominal fee, and Allardyce is due to sit down with the player in the next few days to discuss his future.