A two-time former West Ham United star who now spends his days watching talent across Europe claims David Sullivan made a costly mistake by ignoring his advice.
The fact Tim Steidten was sacked after just 18 months at West Ham suggests the board feel money has not been well spent.
The Hammers committed £155m to transfers last summer – £32m of which doesn’t actually kick in until this summer when Jean-Clair Todibo’s deal becomes permanent.
While the clubs with the most money tend to be the most successful, it is always more how you spend rather than how much.
West Ham proved that last summer and have done during previous splurges under the likes of Manuel Pellegrini too.
West Ham ignored sound transfer advice says ex star
With Steidten gone, majority owner David Sullivan reprises his role as West Ham’s de facto director of football.
Under him is new head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay, Graham Potter’s transfer talent spotter.
After a disastrous season West Ham need a big summer rebuild.
A host of players are for sale to raise money to fund it.
But instead of adding three or four quality players to fine tune a young, evolving squad, the Hammers face the upheaval of yet another complete overhaul.
Sullivan has many influences on his decision-making when it comes to transfers.
From leading agent Will Salthouse to Barry Silkman, his sons Dave and Jack and now of course Macaulay and Potter.
West Ham need two strikers, at least two or three midfielders, a centre-back, a versatile full-back and possibly even a new goalkeeper this summer.
The goalkeeper position should have been sorted for years to come with the signing of Alphonse Areola from PSG.
But the Frenchman, who is capable of outstanding reflex saves, has struggled to convince ever since being made West Ham’s first choice goalkeeper.
Many observers feel the Hammers must sign a new number one this summer. Especially with 40-year-old veteran Lukasz Fabianski out of contract as things stand.
Hutchison slams West Ham for snubbing transfer tip
West Ham have been linked with the likes of James Trafford and Caoimhin Kelleher to name just two.
So it is clearly a position the Hammers are looking to bolster. But many feel better forward planning in the goalkeeping recruitment would have avoided needing to spend money on the position in a window where it is very much needed elsewhere.
It is even more galling then that the club had the inside track on signing not one but three top goalkeepers – only to turn it down.
Because an ex West Ham star says Sullivan ignored his tip to sign a Champions League finalist for just £5m.
Don Hutchison had two spells with West Ham – at one time being the club’s record buy.
The former midfielder knows what Hammers supporters expect.
Hutchison has been a pundit since his retirement, commentating on Ligue 1, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A and European matches.
As a result his information on players across the continent is well informed.
Hutchison told West Ham to sign Sommer years before Champions League heroics
As Barcelona and Inter Milan played out one of the all-time epic Champions League encounters, one man – besides Lamine Yamal – shone more than most.
Inter’s Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer pulled off some amazing saves over the two legs to give the Italians the platform to edge an unforgettable tie and advance to the Champions League final.
Sommer was so good he has gone viral as it emerged from the Inter Milan boardroom that they sold Andre Onana to Man United for £50m to sign Sommer for just £5m from Bayern Munich.
The Swiss had spent most of his career at Borussia Monchengladbach before he went to Bayern as emergency cover for Manuel Neuer in 2023.
It was during Sommer’s time at Gladbach that Hutchison was pushing West Ham to sign the Swiss.
But his advice was ignored.
Sommer was not the only name Hutchison put forward either.
The ex Hammer also recommended Kevin Trapp – who helped foil West Ham with Eintracht Frankfurt three years ago – and fellow German Timo Horn, then of Cologne.
“Yann Sommer cost Inter just €6m (£5m) in 2023. In tonight’s UCL semi-final, the 36-year-old made saves, won Player of the Match, and made a super save against Lamine Yamal in the final moments of the match. Talk about a return on your investment,” TNT Sports posted after the game.
Sharing the post, Hutchison revealed West Ham’s major Sommer clanger.
“I recommended him (Sommer) to West Ham when he was at Gladbach years ago,” Hutchison said alongside a ‘don’t know why’ emoji.
“I gave them three names (different budgets): 1, Yann Sommer, 2, Kevin Trapp, 3, Timo Horn.”
https://x.com/donhutch4/status/1919880772825092362It’s not the first time Hutchison has criticised Sullivan and co for failing to take his advice on potential signings.
And it could be that these were some of the players he as referring to after saying previously ‘they don’t listen’.
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