If you want an example of why the standard of West Ham United’s recruitment has fallen behind that of so many rival Premier League clubs, cast your mind back to September and their attempted swoop for Charlie Cresswell.
West Ham had a £13 million option-to-buy offer rejected by Toulouse, according to reporter Alan Nixon.
It was never likely to elicit any other kind of response. The Ligue 1 outfit had already made it clear that they valued Charlie Cresswell closer to the £20 million mark. They had even less of a reason to sell once they let Crystal Palace secure their other talented young centre-half in Jaydee Canvot on the penultimate day of the window.
And, furthermore, delaying the payment until 2026 was hardly something Toulouse liked the sound of.
Charlie Cresswell will be West Ham’s best defender…😍
How can Nuno convince him to join?
West Ham United accepted defeat before bringing in Igor Julio on loan from Brighton instead. Isn’t that David Sullivan all over? Drag your feet over an exciting young centre-half and end up settling for a cheap, far older, alternative?
Six months later, Igor returns to Brighton and Hove Albion having started only one Premier League match. In the meantime, Cresswell’s value has rocketed. Toulouse have, this month, turned down offers from Wolfsburg and Brighton – funnily enough. Offers well in excess of the fee West Ham put forward in the summer.
So, while there is still reason for cautious optimism regarding the England Under-21 ace – nothing is over until the window closes – the feeling in East London is that the ship sailed quite a while ago.
West Ham United fans pessimistic on Charlie Cresswell chances
TBR Football reported in November that Manchester City and Newcastle scouted Cresswell in the aftermath of West Ham’s failed, and rather half-hearted, late bid. European football expert Andy Brassell talked up a move to Borussia Dortmund on the On the Continent podcast this week.
And though Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton are not the rip-roaring Roberto de Zerbi outfit, they are ten points above the Hammers and relatively safe from a relegation dogfight.
We asked Hammers News readers this week if you could still envisage a world in which Cresswell ends the window in a claret and blue shirt. The response, well, was one of a fanbase who have grown used to Sullivan’s way of doing things.
Or not doing things, as may be more appropriate.
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“Question is; does Cresswell see himself signing for us?,” one pessimistic reader responded on our Facebook page. “Exactly
“If it’s a bid from Sullivan, I doubt £50 and a packet of fruit pastilles will sell the deal!” another jokes.
“I think if we were out of the relegation zone, in mid-table, there would be no question he would be signing for us. But dithering Dave doesn’t want to cough up the cash to bring him in.”
“[Toulouse] want £30 million for him, so doubt we’ll pay that. But will be a good signing.”
“Would be a great signing but I can’t see Sullivan paying much for him. As usual, he will go for the cheaper option, if any.”
“There’s other clubs in a better position interested in him.”
“Not sure why he would take a punt on us. Not holding my breath.”
On a scale of 1-10, how much does Axel Disasi actually improve West Ham’s defence? 👀
Not to knock him as a player, but he’s hardly played in months!
Brighton make their move as West Ham eye Chelsea’s Axel Disasi
Hurzeler would not be drawn on that reported Brighton bid when asked about it on Friday. Fabrizio Romano claims that the Seagulls put forward an offer of £20 million.
Suggestions that West Ham have turned their attention to Axel Disasi – the Chelsea misfit who is likely to be available for loan – again suggests that the more affordable targets are also the more realistic.
It would be unfair to suggest Disasi is another Igor – the France international shut down Erling Haaland against Manchester City and would bring much greater pedigree to the London Stadium – but this does feel like yet another short-term solution to a long-term problem.
“Brighton have made a bid apparently, so [Cresswell] will probably go there,” another Hammers News reader sighs. “We have messed about too long and missed the opportunity now I think.
“I see us getting relegated unless we get our finger out and buy a centre-back soon. There’s got to be many available better than Mavro [Konstantinos Mavropanos].”
“[Cresswell] is exactly who we need to partner Tobido. I’ve had everything crossed for weeks now that it comes off!”
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