West Ham are running the very real risk of ending the transfer window empty-handed after a major update out of Chelsea.
It has been a pretty quiet winter transfer window across the board in the Premier League.
But for West Ham it was imperative the club made at least one signing to kick-start the Graham Potter era.
There are now 48 hours until the window closes, complicated by the fact the Hammers will be preoccupied playing their Premier League clash against Chelsea during the final knockings.
West Ham are yet to make any signings and fans are not happy.
With Potter in charge it is natural the Irons will be linked with players from his former clubs Chelsea and Brighton.
Especially given he has been reunited with Kyle Macauley after West Ham paid Chelsea £1.2m to make him their new head of recruitment.
Another one bites the dust for West Ham as Chelsea enter talks
That has certainly been the case.
West Ham and Chelsea are reportedly locked in a battle to sign Brighton striker Evan Ferguson.
Having looked on course to seal that deal, Chelsea are now believed to be in the box seat.
A number of Chelsea players who are not part of Enzo Maresca’s plans have also been heavily linked with West Ham.
Potter reportedly snubbed the chance to take defender Axel Disasi on loan.
He now looks set for a move to either Spurs or Villa.
The Hammers have also been repeatedly linked with Ben Chilwell. But the emergence of Ollie Scarles means that is a non-starter with Palace said to be in talks about signing Chilwell instead.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is another on West Ham’s radar. But Maresca has made it clear he wants him to stay for now.
Potter wants Chukwuemeka reunion at West Ham
One Chelsea outcast Potter is very keen on, though, is Carney Chukwuemeka.
But another one bites the dust for West Ham as Chelsea enter formal talks to seal a deal.
Earlier this week Hammers News was told Chukwuemeka was ‘definitely one to watch’ for a move to West Ham before Monday’s 11pm deadline.
The Athletic has reported that Chukwuemeka’s Premier League options are between West Ham and Everton.
An agent source close to the situation revealed earlier this week that Chukwuemeka is open to joining West Ham if he does stay in the Premier League amid interest from abroad.
The Hammers have been linked with Chukwuemeka all month as Potter seeks the kind of dynamic, powerful midfield talent West Ham sorely lack.
West Ham hopes crushed with Chelsea star set for Germany
But journalist Jacob Steinberg has now confirmed Chelsea are in talks over a deal for Chukwuemeka to leave.
And it’s not for West Ham – but Borussia Dortmund instead.
Steinberg, who has strong contacts at the London Stadium, has confirmed West Ham are interested in the 21-year-old.
But he reports in The Guardian that the Blues are now in formal talks with Dortmund over an initial loan deal for the rest of the season.
The reporter says it is not yet clear whether the Bundesliga side will include an option or obligation to buy.
But it seems certain West Ham will now miss out on on the former Villa midfielder for a second time having failed with a transfer deadline day move in the summer.
West Ham are now facing the very real scenario that they will end the window without any new arrivals.
Especially after breaking news involving the tussle with Chelsea for a striker.
Because West Ham have opened the door for Chelsea to sign Ferguson after David Sullivan moved the goalposts.
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