Crystal Palace have stunned West Ham and Wolves by swooping in from nowhere to secure the signing of a top transfer target.
The move has left both Premier League rivals scrambling, as Crystal Palace’s decisive action looks set to pay off while West Ham and Wolverhampton Wanderers both dawdle over signings.
West Ham’s transfer activity has hit a lull again in the last week with the fanbase furious that Graham Potter has allegedly changed his mind about signing a new striker.
Bringing in a new young forward was reported to be a top priority for Wolves and West Ham this summer.
The Hammers released Danny Ings, sent Evan Ferguson back to Brighton and Michail Antonio’s future looks uncertain.
That leaves only Niclas Fullkrug, who spent two thirds of his debut season out injured, as West Ham’s only senior striker.
Palace swoop to beat West Ham and Wolves to top target
The mood around West Ham has not been improved by the prospect of ageing, injury-prone Callum Wilson being on the verge of joining.
The only way that deal will be acceptable to Hammers fans is if the club also brings in a younger forward too.
Wolverhampton Wanderers meanwhile have lost Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri this summer, meaning their attack desperately needs strengthening.
That has put West Ham and Wolves on a collision course over a mutual target.
But while both clubs hesitate over a move despite getting a number of green flags, Crystal Palace have swooped from nowhere to beat West Ham and Wolves to a top target.
Fans of the Irons and Wolves will be well aware of the mutual interest in Ivory Coast forward Evann Guessand.
Macaulay identified Guessand as a top West Ham target as soon as he landed in east London from Chelsea in January.
Potter and Macaulay have reportedly been monitoring Guessand ever since with a view to a summer bid.
Evann help West Ham’s window as another one bites the dust
The Hammers duo are said to have been impressed with the Nice striker, who can also play as a winger.
Nice boss Franck Haise admitted Guessand will be sold amid links to West Ham and Wolves.
Crystal Palace’s bitter rivals Brighton have also been linked after selling Joao Pedro and loaning out Ferguson.
It has been claimed West Ham believe 6ft 2in rangy star Guessand has the technical and physical qualities to adapt to the Premier League.
Palace in advanced talks to seal deal for Guessand
There was a further boost when Guessand turned down Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce because he only wants a Premier League move.
And the door was opened for West Ham and Wolves to get a deal done when Nice’s manager said Guessand is 90 per cent certain to leave in an interview on Friday.
It is Crystal Palace who have walked through that door this weekend, though.
According to an exclusive from Sporting News, Crystal Palace are closing in on a deal for Guessand.
The report claims sources close to the deal have confirmed Palace are in live advanced talks and club officials are confident of securing an agreement ahead of the likes of West Ham, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton.
The 24-year-old registered 21 goal contributions in Ligue 1 last season to attract the Hammers and Wolves.
But it now looks like Palace are firmly in pole position and are said to be ‘confident of getting it done’.
It is another major blow to Potter’s alleged plans and may be an indication that he really doesn’t think West Ham need a new forward.
There is even resistance from Potter to signing Wilson, who appears to be a stop-gap signing from David Sullivan, who is concerned the Hammers do not have enough fire-power for what is expected to be one of the most fiercely competitive Premier League seasons in years.
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