Heading into the final few days of the January transfer window, much of the focus at West Ham United appears to be on signing a goalkeeper, a centre-half, and perhaps another centre-forward.
Those Jhon Duran links re-emerged this week. As much of a difference as Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe have made – bringing the sort of mobility and physicality West Ham United could only dream of when Niclas Fullkrug was leading the line – the jury is out on their goalscoring potential.
Neither Castellanos nor Pablo are yet to score a Premier League goal heading into Saturday’s derby with Chelsea. Former Aston Villa sensation and now-Fenerbahce frontman Duran, then, is one to keep a close eye on.
What would you say if West Ham pulled off a SWOOP for Jhon Duran? 🎉 🎆
The former Aston Villa star has been linked again…
Ditto Antonin Kinsky.
West Ham have held talks with Tottenham regarding the 22-year-old Czech goalkeeper. Although Spurs boss Thomas Frank would be happy to see Kinsky stay, links with Wolves’ Sam Johnstone suggests that plans for a departure may be in place.
And, of course, a central-defender is a must. Charlie Cresswell was the dream signing of many Hammers News readers – in fact, over 90 per cent of you voted in favour of the Toulouse giant – but it appears that you will have to make do with Chelsea misfit Axel Disasi.
Amid all this, suggestions of a surprise full-back signing continue to whirl away in the background. Give Me Sport’s Ben Jacobs reported this month that West Ham were looking at Genoa’s £17 million-rated right-back Brooke Norton-Cuffy.
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Fabrizio Romano shares what he’s heard about West Ham United target Brooke Norton-Cuffy
Now, the 22-year-old Arsenal academy graduate seems unlikely to end up back in London.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Italian giants Inter Milan have rapidly moved into pole position. But Norton-Cuffy is not the only defensive wideman allegedly under consideration.
Jacobs added that West Ham had sent scouts to watch Norton-Cuffy in Serie A action for the Grifone. He claims that the Hammers are considering a younger alternative to both Aaron Wan-Bissaka and the versatile Kyle Walker-Peters.
As things stand, though, the former Millwall, Coventry, Rotherham and Lincoln loanee appears destined to become the latest Englishman – after Jude Bellingham, David Beckham, Michael Owen, Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane – to put pen to paper with an elite European institution.
“Inter [are] in advanced talks to sign Brooke Norton-Cuffy from Genoa on a permanent deal,” Romano wrote on X on Thursday. “Surprise move made today after PSV Eindhoven insisted on Ivan Perisic to stay.”
Should Norton-Cuffy swap Liguria for Milan, Romano believes this could see AFC Bournemouth land Nerazzuri wing-back Luis Henrique for around £25 million.
“Inter and Genoa have spoken, and Inter have expressed their intention to establish permanent talks should an exit arise,” Romano adds on his YouTube channel.
“Luis Henrique is still on hold. There are no definitive agreements with Bournemouth. Inter and Genoa are reportedly ready to complete the Norton-Cuffy deal, but it depends on the situation, and whether Inter decides to proceed or not.
“The verbal agreement between Inter and Genoa is ready, but it depends on Inter.”
On a scale of 1-10, how much does Axel Disasi actually improve West Ham’s defence? 👀
Not to knock him as a player, but he’s hardly played in months!
Time running out for Charlie Cresswell as Axel Disasi moves closer
Norton-Cuffy, like Cresswell, is one of a number of talented young Englishman who left their homeland in pursuit of more regular game time on the continent. Considering the interest now being shown in both players, that is a decision which has reaped plenty of rewards.
West Ham still have hope of signing Cresswell before Monday’s deadline, though he won’t come cheap. Toulouse have reportedly rejected bids in excess of £20 million from Wolfsburg and Brighton. The Bundesliga outfit have since pulled out of negotiations, accepting that a £30 million fee is too rich for their blood.
In the meantime, Romano claims that West Ham are ‘advancing’ in talks with Disasi instead.
In terms of alternative full-back targets, La Nazione report that West Ham like Niccolo Fortini of Fiorentina. Nicola Zalewski has also been linked.
Souffian El Karouani was clearly keen to join the Hammers, too, although Ollie Scarles’ revival has seen the Utrecht ace fall by the wayside.
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