Premier League, West Ham

West Ham are not behaving like a club mired in controversy and awaiting news from an arbitration panel on whether Sheffield United will take their place in the Premier League, consequently sending them down to the Championship. Instead, chairman Eggert Magnusson is set on securing European football – and that means rivalling Chelsea’s spending power in terms of wages and outbidding other big-spenders such as Tottenham, Newcastle and Liverpool.

The most recent acquisition is Charlton’s Darren Bent, arriving for an incredible £16m, who joins Scott Parker and surely many further prominent and expensive names. Having failed to cope with just two Argentine egos last season, the impact of having a starting eleven all earning in excess of £70,000 each week will be intriguing. They might follow the route of Newcastle in recent seasons and culminate in mid-table or, in the best case scenario, replicate Tottenham’s success. Martin Jol has guided Spurs to consecutive fifth-placed finishes following significant funding, but West Ham are looking to the Champions League – fourth position – in 2008.

Arsenal are refusing to seriously strengthen their squad, so Magnusson believes the final Champions League position is up for grabs for whoever is brave enough to attempt to break the top four monopoly. Despite the recent spate of takeovers, it has not necessarily meant an increasing number of Premier League clubs all of a sudden have millions and millions of pounds to expend. For West Ham, though, Magnusson has thrilled by opening his pockets and deciding Alan Curbishley can proceed with a summer of spending. In return, he wants the East London side to join the cream of Europe in the lucrative Champions League.

It seems a laughable concept that a side who avoided relegation on the final day of the season could face AC Milan or Barcelona 16 months later, but if a chequebook is left open, then progress up to the opposite end of the league table is certainly attainable. It is a myth that the top four – Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal – are unmovable. Tottenham almost, and indeed should have, joined the select group in 2006 and Newcastle enjoyed consecutive seasons there under Bobby Robson. Will West Ham be next to shake up the mix?

The arrival of Bent, who attracted offers from both Tottenham and Liverpool, is symptomatic of Magnusson’s grand ambitions. The Charlton forward has been consistent in his time at the Valley, and should give West Ham at least 20 goals a season, if not more, especially if the succulent talent of Carlos Tévez is persuaded to stay. Tévez is still the only truly world class footballer at the club, and can provide the impetus for the push for Champions League football. Great consistency is needed to climax inside the top four, and that means winning matches when not playing well and being able to trouble and take points from the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, and rivals for the position, Tottenham.

All West Ham supporters acknowledge any aspirations are pending on Tévez’s future. It is imperative that the ex-Boca Juniors prodigy is kept at Upton Park in order to separate the club from the Champions League pretenders; the likes of Newcastle and Bolton, and perhaps even Tottenham. As interest from Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Liverpool and others from across the continent continues, West Ham must convince their star that he can win trophies and play amongst the best clubs without the need to change address. If Curbishley fails to guide the club into any European competition by the end of next season, Tévez would then almost certainly depart, but for now he has to believe in the Hammers’ mission.

It is in with the new and out with the old. Lucas Neill, Matthew Upson and Luis Boa Morte represent the former after arriving in January, while Hayden Mullins, Marlon Harewood and Nigel Reo-Coker are heading for the exit door as Curbishley is finally able to build and shape his team. If success isn’t guaranteed next season, then fun and fireworks definitely are.

The cash will continue to be splashed – most likely at inflated prices – with players such as Shaun Wright-Phillips, Freddie Ljungberg, and Andy Johnson linked recently, plus the bonus of having striker Dean Ashton returning after missing the entire 2006/7 campaign with injury. First though, Curbishley will have to persuade the excellent Yossi Benayoun to rebuff Liverpool. The influential Israeli midfielder was the subject of a refused £3m bid and Rafael Benítez is set to raise the stakes to ensure he acquires the 27-year-old.

A takeover provides excitement and hope for all supporters, and those in West Ham are immediately seeing the benefits of having new, foreign owners. Last season was one to erase from the memory, and that process can be catalysed by achieving unprecedented success in 2008. Qualification for the Uefa Cup is a minimum target, and West Ham are also expected to challenge for both domestic trophies. However, it is only by qualifying for the Champions League that Magnusson’s elaborate spending will be vindicated, and finishing inside the top four looks a distinct possibility if Curbishley continues to bring in fresh faces and is able to hold on to both Tévez and Benayoun.

Joining Europe’s elite truly would add a pertinently happy ending to the West Ham story and saga.

Will West Ham make the Champions League? Share your views by leaving a comment below.

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