West Ham United appear to be making serious progress in pursuit of both John Victor and Mads Hermansen, though it appears former Premier League stalwart Don Hutchison still has a different goalkeeping target in mind.
You wait all summer for a new goalkeeper, and suddenly two arrive at once.
Could that be the case at West Ham United? A London buses scenario at the London Stadium?
Fabrizio Romano broke the news on Tuesday that Botafogo’s Brazilian shot-stopper was on his way to the English capital for a fee of around £8.5 million. Tellingly, the West Ham-bound John Victor has now been omitted from Botafogo’s squad for today’s Copa do Brasil clash with Red Bull Bragantino.
Some had wondered if it was a case of one or the other. Was this another sign of a lack of ambition from David Sullivan and co? Shifting towards the cheaper, older John Victor despite previously installing Mads Hermansen as the number one target?
Fortunately not, it seems.
Yet, despite West Ham closing in on both John and Hermansen – personal terms have been agreed with the Leicester City star – former Hammer Don Hutchison is still praying that Zion Suzuki arrives from Serire A outfit Parma instead.
Don Hutchison picks Zion Suzuki for West Ham United over Mads Hermansen and John Victor
Hutchison, who spent two years at Upton Park from 1994 to 1996, has become something of an oracle of Italian football thanks to his punditry role for TNT Sports.
He has been mightily impressed by Zion Suzuki’s emergence into one of the most impressive, well-rounded goalkeepers in the country since his move from Sint-Truiden to Parma last year.
So much so that, when asked on X which glovesman he would prefer to see join Graham Potter’s ranks, Hutchison picked the £30 million-rated USA-born Japan international ahead of John, Hermansen, and various other net-guarders who have been linked with a switch to the English capital.
Now, it is no secret that West Ham are big fans of Zion Suzuki.
Hammers News reported in July that exploratory talks had taken place with Parma over Suzuki. Furthermore, it can now be confirmed that the Italian outfit had been tempted to accept West Ham’s offer for the former Urawa Red Diamonds sensation.
West Ham close in on Leicester City goalkeeper Hermansen
Exactly why the Hammers are now prioritising Hermansen over Suzuki remains to be seen. Football correspondent Graeme Bailey explains that Hermansen’s ability with the ball at his feet is a big factor, though the Parma ace’s admiration for Man City’s goalkeeper-turned-playmaker Ederson speaks volumes about his own, rather swashbuckling style.
“I’m hearing West Ham are pushing ahead with Mads Hermansen,” Bailey said late last week. “Seems footwork was the key attribute.”
The likelihood is that, should both deals go through, Hermansen will become West Ham’s new number one with John Victor potentially battling Alphonse Areola – presuming he stays put – for the back-up role.
Reporter Ben Jacobs believes that the Hammers hope to secure Hermansen’s services for around £15 million less than the fee Leicester were looking for 12 months previously.
“I think West Ham are quite optimistic, and the reason for that is Leicester have brought in Asmir Begovic [as a new goalkeeper],” Jacobs told talkSPORT. “There are only a couple of assets who Leicester can sell for big money to help them.
“They need to strengthen in attack because Jamie Vardy has gone, so they maybe have to sacrifice one big name.
“Leicester, a year ago, valued [Hermansen] at £35 million. From my understanding, West Ham are thinking more around the £20 – £25 million mark. Still a lot of money for a goalkeeper, and maybe enough to turn the heads of the Leicester hierarchy.
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