It never rains but it pours at West Ham.
Declan Rice, the cornerstone of their midfield, has left for Arsenal, the club are struggling to new signings in despite £105million burning their back pocket, and there are growing tensions behind the scenes.
If Hammers fans dared to hope their Europa Conference League triumph a couple of months ago heralded the beginning of a bright new dawn, they appear to be sadly mistaken.
Now, on the eve of the big Premier League kick-off, another thunderbolt as Manchester City bid £70m for their star Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta.