The Independent has this to say about the Hammer's signings ...

"What seemed like the transfer coup of the decade took on a more prosaic appearance yesterday as it was revealed that Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano were hawked around several clubs before being offloaded to West Ham United at the 11th hour because they were the only club to agree to a raft of unusual conditions."

The club gets the players at bargain-basement prices, but they basically have to put up with another company having control of their players, and being forced to start them in every game. All very sordid really, and does nothing to enhance West Ham's stature.