As West Ham United await their first signing of the summer transfer window, what supporters of the Premier League outfit wouldn’t do for a Fabrizio Romano ‘here we go’ or a David Ornstein bombshell.
For now, perhaps a healthy dose of hope provided by the extremely well-connected Gianluca di Marzio will suffice.
Despite the fact that West Ham held talks with Aaron Ramsdale’s camp a month ago – Graham Potter is an admirer of the Southampton glovesman – nothing is even close to imminent regarding the club’s pursuit of a new goalkeeper.
Yet, things appear to be falling somewhat into place regarding West Ham United’s pursuit of Mads Hermansen.
Hammers News understands that the £35 million-rated Leicester City ace Hermansen is a leading target this summer, joining Ramsdale on Kyle Macaulay’s shortlist.
West Ham are also expected to hire ex-Leeds stopper Casper Ankergren as their new goalkeeping coach. Ankergren worked closely with Hermansen at Brondby.
Coincidence? Maybe not.
Now, in conversation with Danish outfit Tipsbladet, Gianluca di Marzio has not only talked up the benefits of a potential move to the London Stadium, one of the most reliable reporters in the game also believes that this is a story with serious legs.
Gianluca di Marzio believes West Ham United could sign Leicester City’s Mads Hermansen
It is no secret that Leicester City probably need to sell a few key players this summer. The Foxes were already in a precarious financial situation, and their relegation from the Premier League last season certainly hasn’t helped matters.
Hermansen, one of the few bright sparks in a disastrous campaign, is certainly among their more sellable assets.
“Mads Hermansen could be on his way to West Ham,” Di Marzio explains. “The club really likes him and it could be a good opportunity for him.
“I don’t believe he will stay at Leicester. And I think West Ham would be the right option for him.”
The Hammers faithful will not have particularly fond memories of the 24-year-old former Denmark Under-21 international.
Mads Hermansen was outstanding as Leicester beat West Ham in December. Julen Lopetegui’s side scored only once from over 30 attempts on goal that night, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side defying the ‘XG’ gods with a 3-1 scoreline which does not even begin to tell the tale.
Hermansen would be an upgrade on Alphonse Areola
Former Denmark goalkeeper Peter Kjaer is convinced that Hermansen would be an upgrade on West Ham’s current options between the sticks, too. The club’s existing number one, Alphonse Areola, endured a poor campaign chock-full of avoidable errors.
“Their goalkeeping situation is not very good. [Lukasz] Fabianski is finished. Areola is okay, but I don’t think he is skilled enough to be an extraordinary first-choice goalkeeper,” Kjaer, once of Besiktas and Aberdeen, told Tipsbladet at the beginning of June.
“It’s a nice place, located in London and it’s a club that wants a little more. It’s a nice shelf for him. It’s an upgrade and for a club that wants to be ambitious.
“They have Graham Potter, who wants to play the ball out, and he is significantly better with his feet than Areola.”
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