David Moyes insists West Ham 'are not a club that needs money'

David Moyes says West Ham aren’t a club that need money anymore, outlining they’ve got their own billionaire backer in Daniel Kretinsky as they prepare to play moneybags Newcastle at the London Stadium on Saturday.

Moyes is pleased with how the arrival of his club’s new investor has slipped under the radar, saying: ‘We don’t want to be out there flashing our nice handbag... we’re going to walk about with a fake one and let people think that way.’ 

But he felt compelled on Friday to highlight how they can be as competitive as any Premier League side in the transfer market, adding that the next summer window will be a significant one for West Ham.

Asked about Kretinsky, who bought a 27 per cent stake in the club in November with a view to a potential full takeover in the future, Moyes said: ‘I’ll tell you what it does mean - we’re not a club that needs money.

‘People can talk whatever they like but we’re not a club that needs money, so from that point of view, we are in a much better position than we have ever been in years gone by.

‘I see there being another growth period here. I really do. There is a chance to go again. We’re not a football club that needs money anymore. We’re in a good place.’

West Ham didn’t make any signings in January, which could hurt them as they aim to qualify for the Champions League, though Moyes said that was not for a lack of trying. The club made three £50million-plus bids for different players, including Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips, but none were accepted.

Meanwhile, Moyes also revealed that Kurt Zouma is fit to start against Newcastle on Saturday, although he did not confirm whether in-form Jarrod Bowen would feature after picking up a knock in their 2-2 draw with Leicester. 

Captain Mark Noble