A wantaway star is now desperate to stay and impress new West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui but it looks too late as the Hammers target trio.
It is widely known that West Ham are looking to make eight signings in the summer transfer window.
The Hammers have managed to bring three of those eight in so far for new head coach Julen Lopetegui.
Technical director Tim Steidten has been extremely busy lining up targets and deals.
Indeed the German was even putting together West Ham’s summer transfer plan with Lopetegui before the end of last season.
Brazilian attacking sensation Luis Guilherme, back-up goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and central defender Max Kilman have arrived at the London Stadium thus far.
The Hammers have committed around £60m in transfer fees in those deals with Foderingham arriving on a free transfer.
The club has confirmed to Hammers News that a striker is next on West Ham’s agenda.
But West Ham are also looking to bring in another central defender, at least one versatile full-back, a central midfielder and an attacker who can play off the left side too.
Wantaway star now desperate to stay and impress Lopetegui
Although the focus is now on getting a striker in the door, West Ham are in active talks to sign a full-back.
Ben Johnson left on a free to join Ipswich, leaving West Ham with Vladimir Coufal, Emerson Palmieri and Aaron Cresswell as Lopetegui’s only full-backs.
Coufal and Emerson turn 32 and 30 respectively next month while Cresswell is 35 in December. That’s a combined age of 97.
And although Coufal and Emerson have been among West Ham’s better performers for the most part, there have been times over the last couple of seasons where their advancing years have been evident on the pitch.
It is clear West Ham need to freshen up the full-back area, which has been neglected for too long in the transfer market.
Back in March, it was claimed Coufal is seriously unhappy with his contract situation at West Ham and was considering leaving this summer.
Last week it was claimed Galatasaray were sending a delegation to London to try and sign Coufal.
But it’s too late as West Ham target trio
There has been a big twist according to a top Sky Sports presenter. But the horse may already have bolted.
Wantaway star Coufal is now desperate to stay and impress new West Ham boss Lopetegui but it’s too late as the Hammers target trio.
According to Dharmesh Sheth, Coufal now wants to remain at the London Stadium.
Whether Lopetegui wants Coufal to stick around as first choice is another matter entirely, though.
Because Sheth has also confirmed West Ham are actively looking to sign Kyle Walker-Peters or Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
And reports elsewhere also state West Ham have made an approach to sign Italian right-back Raoul Bellanova.
“So right-back is a priority position, that is clear…” Sheth told Give Me Sport.
“Vladimir Coufal is still at the club, and he will want to do everything he can to impress Julen Lopetegui as well.
“But it looks like they will try and recruit in that area. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is one of a number of players they’re looking at, but Kyle Walker-Peters as well.”
Hammers clearly want new first choice right-back
According to La Stampa (print edition July 8th) – as also reported by Tutto Cagliari – West Ham have made an approach to sign Torino right-back Bellanova.
West Ham have been linked with rampaging 24-year-old Bellanova since back in April.
Reports in Italy suggest Torino have no interest in selling this summer.
But the fact Steidten and Lopetegui have made the approach – combined with the talks over Walker-Peters and persistent links to Wan-Bissaka suggest Coufal’s time as West Ham’s first choice right-back may be over.
The Czech Republic star would make brilliant back-up if West Ham can keep him on that basis.
He may not be happy with that, though, so there’s every chance the Hammers may need to sign two new full-backs this summer.
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