West Ham have made a shocking decision on Mads Hermansen only three months after his £20m switch to east London, Hammers News can reveal.
The news may stun some fans, with the goalkeeper’s future now suddenly uncertain despite his short time at the club.
When Graham Potter elected to let Lukasz Fabianski leave at the end of last season, West Ham were always going to be in the market for a new goalkeeper.
Especially as Alphonse Areola had struggled badly under Potter.
West Ham were linked with a plethora of stoppers from Victor John to Djorde Petrovic and Robert Sanchez.
Danish goalkeeper Mads Hermansen was on West Ham’s radar too.
Potter insisted on record goalkeeper deal for Hermansen
But when the Hammers were pushing to sign Hermansen from relegated Leicester City, negotiations started at a whopping £35m.
Given West Ham had other priority positions and limited funds, that was never going to happen.
Despite links to a number of cheaper alternatives, Potter insisted on signing Hermansen, who had been recommended by incoming goalkeeper coach Casper Ankergren after they worked together at Brondby.
Hammers News revealed in June that Potter was insisting on Hermansen once Ankergren agreed to join.
As the window progressed, though, Leicester lowered their demands and West Ham landed the highly-rated star for £20m, as reported by BBC Sport.
That represented a club record fee for a goalkeeper at West Ham.
So clearly Hermansen was always going to be the number one.
Potter threw the new man in as number one for the first game of the season, despite the fact Hermansen had only trained with his new teammates for a couple of days.
It proved a disaster as Hermansen was at fault on more than one occasion when the Hammers lost 3-0 to Sunderland.
The 25-year-old went on to make a string of errors in subsequent games and Hermansen’s height was flagged as a big problem for West Ham.
Hermansen was so vulnerable, he was being targeted by the opposition each week, especially from set pieces.
Potter dropped Hermansen for Areola but he would soon be sacked along with his entire staff including Ankergren.
West Ham’s shock Hermansen decision three months after £20m move
One of Nuno Espirito Santo’s first big decisions was to make Areola his first choice.
There was added significance to that call given Nuno was a top level goalkeeper himself.
Hermansen has been on the bench for the Hammers ever since.
Now West Ham have made a shock decision on Hermansen just three months after his £20m move.
Potter was forced to go cap in hand to Fabianski to bring him back to the London Stadium in the summer when Wes Foderingham left the club.
The former Poland number one has since injured his back and West Ham have been forced to recall Academy star Finlay Herrick.
The youngster is very highly rated by the Irons and England and is expected to push to be the future number one in the coming years.
With Areola performing well under Nuno thus far, the decision to shell out £20m on Hermansen looks increasingly questionable.
Particularly given West Ham’s financial situation, with £100m losses coming in the club’s accounts next month.
That means the club will be looking to raise funds to help towards funding signings for Nuno.
West Ham willing to cash in on Hermansen in January
Now the Hammers have made a big decision on Hermansen according to Football Correspondent Graeme Bailey.
Speaking exclusively to Hammers News, Bailey has revealed that West Ham are willing to cash in on Hermansen in January if suitable offers arrive.
But they could also consider loaning the Dane out in a bid to restore his confidence and raise his valuation.
“Hermansen has struggled since coming in and was dropped early on,” Bailey told Hammers News.
“And I am told West Ham would cash in on him in January if that is possible.
“It would not shock me if they even loaned him out to get his confidence and form back, which would also help his valuation.”
There is no doubt Hermansen is a fantastic shot stopper with excellent reactions.
But his size and height mean he is vulnerable in the modern day Premier League, where set-pieces, long throws and more direct tactics are back in vogue.
Whether the Hammers will find a buyer is another matter.
The loan route – perhaps with an option or obligation to buy – may be more realistic.
That would then elevate Herrick to number three behind Areola and, when he returns, Fabianski.
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