While the transfer budget available to Nuno Espirito Santo this summer remains a mystery at present, it is no secret that West Ham United have eyes on some of the Championship’s best and brightest.
It has recently been confirmed that Max Hahn, the club’s head of recruitment, will leave the London Stadium. In what could be a real parting gift, Hahn recommended Swansea hitman Zan Vipotnik to West Ham United.
Vipotnik secured the Championship’s Golden Boot with 23 goals in 35 starts in 2025/26. Despite extending his contract at Swansea recently, the stylish Slovenian is still expected to leave.
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Sheffield United left-back Harrison Burrows was linked last week.
The Hammers made a bid for Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis in January, too, and who knows what could happen at St Mary’s following ‘Spygate’?
When we asked our Talking Point users which Championship star they would most like to see West Ham United sign, though, the majority of the votes went to Middlesbrough’s midfield marvel Hayden Hackney.
West Ham United fans are dreaming of Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney
talkSPORT reported in April that West Ham were showing an interest in Hackney.
Relegation, coupled with more recent reports claiming that David Moyes’ Everton are now in pole position, have certainly seen the odds lengthen considerably.
Yet, the prospect of an immediate return to the Premier League – like in 2011 when Kevin Nolan embraced a new challenge at Upton Park – means a coup of a similar ilk cannot be entirely ruled out at this stage.
The Hammers will certainly have a Mateus Fernandes-shaped hole to fill. And Hackney, who possesses many of the same attributes, would be a superb use of the funds brought in by Fernandes’ departure.
Reports say he is valued at £25 million.
Hackney voted the dream signing! Do you have any OTHER suggestions?
At the time of writing, Hackney has secured 42 per cent of the votes. Vipotnik and Harwood-Bellis pick up 28 and 26 per cent respectively. Burrows comes in at a distant fourth.
“Hackney all day long. Class he is,” writes Hammers News reporter Antony Martin.
“Defo need more energy and legs. If we build the squad out with young, hungry and energetic players, while getting rid of the mercenaries, going down may be the best thing that happened to us.”
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