Evan Ferguson was not the only striker West Ham tried to sign on deadline day but there was a bizarre twist which collapsed the deal.
Some fans have been critical of West Ham’s owners for a lack of activity in the winter window.
Many feel the fact West Ham only signed Evan Ferguson on loan showed a lack of ambition.
That debate will likely rage until the summer, when the pressure will be on the board to back Graham Potter.
But Ferguson was not the only player the Hammers tried to sign in before Monday’s deadline.
West Ham have reportedly agreed a pre-contract with young Celtic striker Daniel Cummings.
The Irons did try to offer Celtic £500k for the 18-year-old to do the deal in the winter window.
The Hoops rejected the offer, though, and now Cummings’ fee will be set by a tribunal – likely at around £300k.
West Ham bid £35m for Kroupi but Cherries got him for £10m
There was another young striker in West Ham’s sights heading into deadline day, though.
Most Hammers fans had never even heard of Eli Junior Kroupi until last week.
But as links to the Lorient striker intensified – and footage of him in action spread online – most were desperate to see him arrive at the London Stadium.
Likened to a young Thierry Henry and Kylian Mbappe, Kroupi has been the heir to former West Ham target Hugo Ekitike at Lorient.
West Ham agreed a £35m deadline day deal for Kroupi.
But Bournemouth ended up signing him for just £10m instead.
West Ham were said to be confident of signing Kroupi despite interest from the likes of Chelsea and the Cherries.
The teenager has lived up to the hype so far this season after initially breaking through last term when Lorient were relegated from Ligue 1.
Kroupi has scored eight goals and laid on two assists in 16 appearances this season as Lorient sit top of Ligue 2.
West Ham board source urges UEFA to review Kroupi transfer
Reports in France ahead of deadline day did warn a move to Bournemouth was more likely given Bill Foley owns stakes in both clubs.
Those reports also claimed West Ham would be hard pushed to sign Kroupi as a deal with Bournemouth would see him stay at Lorient on loan for the rest of the season.
But many fans feel something doesn’t add up about the move.
It was claimed West Ham’s structure of payments was the issue with £25m of their £35m offer to be paid out based on certain appearance and goal milestones.
Yet just 30 minutes before the window officially closed, Bournemouth announced they had signed Kroupi instead for a reported fee of just £10m.
That’s a full £25m less than was reportedly on offer from West Ham.
And a top West Ham board source has urged UEFA to review the transfer Premier League rivals Bournemouth beat them to.
Many supporters have been angry with David Sullivan and the board for failing to adjust the payment terms to get a deal done for Kroupi.
But more have been left bemused that Lorient sold the striker for £25m less to the Cherries.
Although it always seemed inevitable Kroupi would end up at the Vitality given Foley’s stakes in both clubs, it is a deal which has left a sour taste in the mouth at West Ham.
As part of Bournemouth’s deal, Kroupi remains on loan at Lorient for the rest of the season.
‘It’s a game clubs play with clubs they own’
But Sean Whetstone, a close ally of Hammers chief Sullivan, thinks UEFA need to take a look at the deal.
And his top source inside West Ham said of Kroupi’s move from one Foley club to another: “It’s a game clubs play with clubs they own.”
“I’m not sure how Bournemouth managed to sign Eli Junior Kroupi from FC Lorient (on deadline day), surely this should be against UEFA regulations!” Hammers insider Whetstone said.
“It looks like a third-party transaction by Black Knight Football Club group and very suspect.
“UEFA regulations stopped Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS selling Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice to Manchester United. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS owns 100% of Nice and 28.94% of Manchester United.
“Bill Foley and Black Knight Football Club own 100% of AFC Bournemouth and 33% of FC Lorient so I can’t understand what the difference is.
“A West Ham club source agreed on the outcome of the Hammers transfer target by saying: “It’s a game clubs play with clubs they own.”
The Cherries certainly seem to think they’ve beaten West Ham to a player of huge potential.
Bournemouth technical director Simon Francis says his goal involvement record is hugely impressive in his fledgling career thus far.
“He’s shown a high level of natural technical ability and awareness for a player so young, and the speed in which he has adapted to senior football has been very encouraging,” Francis said.
Hammers News has contacted UEFA for their stance on the deal.
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