Any doubt over who will be calling the shots on West Ham transfers this summer between Tim Steidten and David Moyes is being put to bed.
West Ham are already being linked with a host of summer transfers.
And as things stand David Moyes is not certain to be West Ham’s manager by then.
It has been made perfectly clear that Hammers technical director Tim Steidten will have full control of recruitment from this summer.
Until now Moyes had power of veto as per the fine print of his existing West Ham contract.
As I exclusively revealed last month, the Scot’s new contract – should he sign it – is ‘subject to terms’.
Steidten to hold transfer power regardless of whether Moyes stays
It is reasonable to assume those terms centre around removing Moyes’ power of veto on transfers and limiting his influence and involvement on recruitment – ceding ultimate say to German Steidten.
Besides appointing his brother Moritz and fellow German Max Hahn to the scouting department, there have been several hints that Steidten intends to stay at West Ham and knows he will have control of transfers.
The Hammers have been linked with a host of exciting lesser-known gems in the last week or so. That’s despite being three months out from the summer window opening. And a clear sign of ‘pearl diver’ Steidten being on the hunt.
Now Steidten is showing Moyes who’s boss by cooking up very exciting transfer for Chris Fuhrich.
Steidten flexing transfer muscle by eyeing German star Fuhrich
According to Sky Germany journalist Dennis Bayer, 26-year-old midfielder Fuhrich is of interest to West Ham as he shines for Stuttgart this season.
Fuhrich, who can play on the left wing and in central midfield, has scored six goals and laid on seven assists in 24 Bundesliga games so far this term.
Steidten will know all about the former Dortmund player of course.
And that gives this particular transfer claim more credence.
If cleared of any wrongdoing in the FA case against him, Lucas Paqueta is expected to leave for Man City in the summer.
So there will be a gaping hole to fill on West Ham’s left-hand side.
And not only does Fuhrich have a release clause of between £17-21m, but journalist Bayer claims Stuttgart are worried by West Ham’s interest in the player.
Stuttgart scared of losing star amid Hammers interest
“Chris Führich plays a strong season, has the best scorers of his entire career and is a very hot candidate to be in the German squad at the European Championship,” he told Sky Germany.
“Some teams have him on their lists, Leipzig for example, West Ham too, because in Führich’s new contract there is an exit clause anchored between €20m and €25m (£17-21m), which is based on how well the VfB is doing this season.
“In Cannstatt, they are a bit afraid that they could lose their wing player.”
Steidten is clearly showing us all – including Moyes should he remain at the club – that he will be the one calling the shots on transfers with reported moves like this.
Earlier this week I reported on claims that Steidten is in early talks to sign a young Belgian powerhouse.
The German is also said to be looking to sign 21-year-old English left-back Archie Brown, who is playing for Gent.
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