Fabrizio Romano claims West Ham United have completed their first signing of the summer transfer window in the shape of Celtic’s Daniel Cummings.
When Graham Potter said he and Kyle Macaulay are looking to lower the age of West Ham’s squad, he wasn’t kidding.
After ruthlessly releasing four ageing players with 25 years of service and over 800 appearances between them, West Ham have turned to 19-year-old Celtic star Daniel Cummings to start their rebuild.
Celtic academy graduate Cummings was pictured at West Ham for their final home game of the season ahead of an imminent deal.
Romano gives West Ham and Celtic deal the ‘here we go’
The Bhoys’ hot prospect forward had looked set to sign for the Hammers back in January.
West Ham held talks about signing Cummings both in January and on a pre-contract agreement ahead of him becoming a free agent this summer.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers was livid at the news Cummings was in talks with West Ham.
Rodgers raged at Cummings’ agent over the West Ham talks.
The Celtic boss, who was linked with the Hammers himself before Potter replaced Julen Lopetegui, pleaded with Cummings and his representatives to show patience and stay.
Rodgers even handed Cummings his debut in the Champions League against Aston Villa in a bid to change his mind about where he saw his future.
In the end, though, the Hammers have got their man it seems.
Fabrizio Romano has given the West Ham striker deal his trademark ‘here we go’ but Cummings rumours are not true.
Romano revealed the Tony Cottee-esque striker has passed his medical and the compensation fee agreed.
Cummings rumours not true after West Ham move claims
“Daniel Cummings will join West Ham on July 1st, agreement done and here we go!” Fabrizio Romano said.
“Celtic talent has scored 30 goals this season and made his Champions League debut at Villa Park.
“Medical complete and deal done. Celtic will get €300k (£250k) training compensation.”
The move is no great surprise and has been in the pipeline since January.
But Hammers News can clear up rumours that have been circulating in the east end of Glasgow and London about West Ham’s plans for Cummings.
Cummings is a very highly-rated star at Celtic and with Scotland.
The Hammers were not the only club interested in the deadly finisher.
Celtic fans have been perplexed at the striker’s decision amid claims in some quarters that Cummings has been signed to play for West Ham’s Academy side.
After being part of Celtic’s first team squad and playing in the Champions League, that – if true – would look a very questionable decision.
But it isn’t.
It has already been clarified that West Ham have lured Cummings with the promise of a place in the first team squad under Potter.
Head of recruitment Macaulay is a Scot and Cummings was one of the forwards in his dossier when he was reunited with Potter at West Ham in January.
Celtic losing star to West Ham’s first team not Academy
West Ham assistant coach Billy Reid, another Scot, is also well aware of Cummings’ talent and potential.
Cummings has agreed to join on the basis he will be part of Potter’s youthful rebuild.
He has not been signed to be part of the Academy development setup and will feature heavily in pre-season, where Potter and Hammers fans can get a really good look at him.
West Ham have announced they are releasing Danny Ings while loan flop Evan Ferguson will be returning to Brighton.
Michail Antonio could follow them out of the Hammers exit too.
There are also doubts over Niclas Fullkrug’s future after Potter made it clear to the ageing German he will not be a starter under him.
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