Premier League rivals West Ham and Nottingham Forest were very busy this summer and deadline day was no different.
The summer transfer window is now officially closed but not before some more business from West Ham and Nottingham Forest.
The Hammers and Tricky Trees were among the busiest clubs this summer.
And there was still room for more deals on deadline day – including one big one between the two clubs themselves.
It had been on the cards for some months that James Ward-Prowse could leave West Ham.
But interest from Nottingham Forest only became public this week in the lead up to last night’s shut-off.
After 18 goal contributions last season, West Ham’s decision to let Ward-Prowse leave for Forest has divided opinion among some Hammers fans.
But with Lucas Paqueta playing centrally, World Cup winner Guido Rodriguez already a fixture in the side after arriving from Real Betis, Edson Alvarez fundamental in midfield and Tomas Soucek ahead of him, it was clear Ward-Prowse was not going to play much.
Besides his set-pieces, Ward-Prowse has seen his contribution in open play questioned.
Clever reason West Ham deals for Soler and Ward-Prowse to Forest are loans
Throw in the fact West Ham pushed to sign Carlos Soler from PSG and it’s no wonder Ward-Prowse was looking to seal a move elsewhere.
When the Ward-Prowse to Nottingham Forest and Soler to West Ham deals were announced yesterday there was something of a surprise, though.
There is no mention of options or obligations to buy clauses in the deals.
Fans, particularly of ambitious Premier League clubs, hate nothing more than having a player on loan with no end game or prospect of the deal becoming permanent.
The short-termism is frowned upon by most fans.
But is there a clever reason why West Ham deals for Soler and Ward-Prowse to Nottingham Forest are straight loans?
The top spokesman inside West Ham told Hammers News this week that Soler was being “overpriced” by PSG.
West Ham were reluctant to agree to any permanent deal – or obligation for one – on the current terms.
Now it seems Ward-Prowse’s loan is all part of West Ham’s negotiation tactics with PSG.
If the Hammers had loaned Ward-Prowse with an obligation to buy at a set price, PSG would know exactly how much money West Ham have coming in for him.
An example of specialist Steidten’s transfer savvy
And that would completely scupper the Hammers’ negotiations to get Soler for a lower price next summer.
With both deals as straight loans it buys West Ham time to barter PSG down over Soler.
A permanent deal can be agreed at anytime while Soler is with the club and made official when the next transfer window opens.
West Ham are determined not to be held to ransom when going after players.
And this is the latest evidence of technical director Tim Steidten’s savvy in the transfer market.
Hammers fans should not be one bit surprised if Soler’s deal is made permanent at a reduced fee than the £20m originally quoted in the next 12 months.
That also gives West Ham the advantage of demanding what they want from Nottingham Forest for Ward-Prowse if he proves a success at the City Ground.
It’s all smoke and mirrors at this level of football transfer negotiations with millions of pounds at stake.
Now West Ham have someone in charge of them that is a certified specialist.
Nine top quality arrivals this summer and the signings of Mohammed Kudus and Alvarez last year prove that.
But it applies to outgoings too and the Ward-Prowse deal will still likely be turned into a permanent move should Nottingham Forest wish.
It’s just that it will be on West Ham’s terms – and only after they’ve got a reasonable deal out of PSG for Soler.
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