West Ham have confirmed the signing of Germany Under-20 forward Savio Nsereko from Brescia. The 19-year-old, who was born in Uganda, has agreed a four-and-a-half year deal after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee, though it is rumoured it will eventually reach £9m.

This record purchase comes just two days after West Ham allowed Hayden Mullins - at the time West Ham's longest serving player - to leave the club to join Portsmouth, Pompey having offered a reported £2m for the 30 year old.

The signing of Nsereko is obviously a sign of the growing influence of Gianfranco Zola and Nani as several top European clubs were chasing the youngster but Savio decided his future would be best served at Upton Park. Nani, of course, was previously at Brescia and there is no doubt his history with the club helped to clinch the deal.

Similarly, although in a different vein, the departure of Hayden Mullins for a reported fee of £2m is a sign that the Hammers are willing to deal but only on their own terms. Gianfranco Zola admitted he could have said 'No' to the South Coast club but decided the fee, Mullin's service to the club and the opportunity of the player to play regularly, made good sense for all concerned.

Hammers fans will always give a good reception to Mullins, a man instrumental - but often unsung - in the club's march to the 2006 FA Cup Final. Sadly, Hayden was unable to play on that day as a pointless bit of fisticuffs in a league game against final opponents Liverpool meant he was banned for the showpiece in Cardiff. Many fans still argue that Gerrard would not have had the room he took on that day in Cardiff had Mullins been playing. We wish Hayden Mullins well and hope he gets the chance to replace his FA Cup memory with another - although I have to say I don't feel it will be with Portsmouth!

These transfer window deals though are surely the proof of what West Ham have been claiming for months; they do not need to sell, are only looking to offload players who are on the fringes of the squad and, more importantly, can reinvest any money that does come in.

There are an awful lot of newspapers that have been sold on a pack of lies and it's nice to see the club honouring its commitments and promises to the fans.