Graham Potter has made a bold promise about West Ham’s upcoming transfer window – and now the board have issued a very interesting response.
This weekend marks six weeks until one of the most important summer transfer windows in West Ham’s modern history opens.
Make no mistake about it. And take one look at the league table if you’re unsure.
With so much work to do, the Hammers are fortunate that this year’s window has been extended with international transfers possible from June 1st.
West Ham have FIFA and the Club World Cup to thank for the extra time in which to do deals.
The window will effectively open on June 1st and close in September – three whole months for Graham Potter, head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay and the West Ham owners to fix a poorly constructed squad.
By the book, the window closes for six days between June 10th and 16th to keep the overall time within FIFA’s 90-day transfer limit.
West Ham’s window of opportunity for Potter
But that will only mean deals cannot be made official in that small window.
West Ham, 17th in the Premier League with six games to go, are standing at a crossroads for their future.
Any further missteps over transfers or any more regression and the potential consequences are obvious.
Some doubts remain among fans over whether Potter is the right man for the job.
The Hammers have not had lift off under him, dropping from 13th to 17th and exiting the FA Cup at the first hurdle in his 13 games in charge.
But many feel there have been green shoots in games against top sides, including an impressive second half performance in defeat at Liverpool last time out.
West Ham’s owners delivered their verdict on Graham Potter so far after the loss at Anfield.
It’s clear money needs to be spent this summer and Potter has repeatedly said he ended his 20-month hiatus from football to take the West Ham job after being convinced of the club’s ambition.
Whether that was a message to the owners about why he is here or not, it has raised expectations that the club want to get back to competing for Europe next season.
Now the West Ham board have responded to an exciting transfer window promise made by Potter at the weekend.
West Ham’s owners have consistently stated the club is at its PSR limit ahead of the summer.
Potter’s transfer bombshell after club’s PSR warning
They claim finances have taken a hit from previous spending and underachievement and that sales are a necessity to make any signings.
But a report from The Athletic suggested the owners and manager aren’t on the same page.
Because it claimed ‘Potter could barely contain his excitement’ when asked about West Ham’s transfer plans for the summer.
The 49-year-old was then quoted saying ‘it’s going to be an exciting summer’.
Potter went as far as to state he and the board are planning to completely revolutionise their ageing, underachieving squad with young, talented players who actually want to play for West Ham.
West Ham board respond to Potter’s transfer window promise
That exciting pledge has reignited hope among fans.
But is Potter making promises to supporters that the board are incapable of keeping?
Not necessarily, if the response from top spokesman for the club’s owners to Hammers News is anything to go by.
Hammers News put it to the key senior London Stadium contact whether Potter is aware of the financial situation for the summer after talking up an exciting window.
The response shows that while sales do need to be made, West Ham are indeed planning on backing the manager.
“Yes the manager is aware, we are all pulling in the same direction,” the senior spokesman for West Ham’s owners told Hammers News.
“We expect to buy and sell and we will bring in some players.”
That will put a spring in the step of every Hammers fan over the next few weeks.
The prospect of a restricted summer window does not bear thinking about given where West Ham find themselves.
So this is positive and hugely encouraging.
Because although the forward line and midfield in particular need a lot of work, a player or two is needed in all five areas of the side.
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