The West Ham board have released a major transfer statement as two signings edge closer to being finalised – and at the same time they’ve moved to set the record straight on manager Graham Potter.
- Hammers News exclusive
West Ham have well and truly burst into life on the transfer front this week – and it is about time too.
A slow burn window is reaching an explosive climax for the Hammers with links to a plethora of exciting targets.
West Ham appear to have been frightened into action by the club’s woeful start to the new season.
Three defeats in as many games and 11 goals conceded has left the Irons bottom of the fledgling Premier League table and out of the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle.
Along with Sheffield United, West Ham have made the worst start to the new campaign of any of the 92 English Football League clubs.
West Ham burst into life in transfer market after woeful start
That has piled mounting pressure on Hammers head coach Graham Potter after an underwhelming first half-a-season in charge last term.
Potter pledged to rebuild West Ham around young, exciting talent this summer.
But only four players had arrived going into the last week of a three-month window. And just two of those fit Potter’s publicly stated transfer policy, with many questioning whether the manager had any involvement in the signings of free agents Kyle Walker-Peters and Callum Wilson – who turn 29 and 34 respectively this season.
In a Hammers News exclusive last month West Ham revealed they would be signing Callum Wilson.
Many news outlets have been reporting West Ham had no chance of signing Southampton star Mateus Fernandes.
But over a week ago, Hammers News exclusively revealed the makings of a deal for West Ham to sign Mateus Fernandes at around £40m had effectively been agreed.
Now that is about to be proven accurate with widespread reports emerging that the Hammers are on the verge of landing Saints midfield ace Fernandes.
It comes as West Ham also close on a deal for Monaco and France Under 21 defensive midfielder Soungoutou Magassa.
That’s after a major twist following a Hammers scare over Magassa last night.
The dismal start to the new season has not only put the spotlight on Potter but the Hammers hierarchy as well.
Majority owner David Sullivan has been singled out for criticism with some fans calling for him to sell the club.
There has even been talk of a prominent fan group reigniting protests against the West Ham board.
Some of the criticism of Sullivan and co has centred around the lack of backing for Potter in the transfer market.
West Ham board issue transfer statement with duo ‘imminent’
After the 5-1 defeat to Chelsea, top Hammers insider Sean Whetstone – who counts Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady as top sources – revealed the board had grown ‘frustrated’ with a lack of progress on targets picked out by Potter and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay.
As a result, Whetstone claimed, the board were going to ‘get stuck in’ to bring new signings to the London Stadium before Monday’s looming deadline.
Since that claim, there has been a seismic shift in transfer activity in east London with West Ham reported to have active bids in for players reaching double figures.
There have been claims that the new drive for signings means West Ham are going to be bringing in players Potter may not necessarily want.
That is also the suggestion made following the arrivals of Walker-Peters and Wilson.
Now the West Ham board have issued a major transfer statement with a duo ‘imminent’ and have set the record straight on Potter too.
Speculation is rife that Fernandes and Magassa could be unveiled as new West Ham signings ahead of the difficult trip to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Hammers News has put the claims to the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners.
The senior board source was also asked how much involvement Potter has had – and is having – in the recruitment drive.
The response was both exciting and encouraging as things perhaps start to look up for West Ham.
Because West Ham have confirmed two signings – presumably Fernandes and Magassa – are indeed imminent.
And they state Potter is fully involved in transfers and always has been.
Hammers set record straight on Potter involvement
“He (Potter) has signed all the players,” the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners exclusively told Hammers News.
“And we have bid for more of his targets.
“Under FFP/PSR rules there are limits what we can do of course.
“But we hope one or two signings are now imminent.”
West Ham may have left things late, but as the old saying goes; it is better late than never.
Of course the Hammers’ transfer processes and methods will have to be reviewed following this window.
Because there will now undoubtedly be a period of adjustment for new arrivals which could see West Ham continue to struggle.
But there will at least now be more hope and energy around the club as apathy had started to envelop West Ham.
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