Four players West Ham want to sign for Graham Potter this summer have been named after a U-turn from the board over transfers.
Graham Potter has West Ham looking upwards again.
Back-to-back wins for the first time in a year may have only lifted the Hammers up one place.
But the turnaround in morale, performances and results carries more significance behind the scenes.
It has been revealed that West Ham’s owners will now back Potter with signings in the summer window.
That is a major shift after the club had admitted it may have to tighten its transfer belt.
Potter admits the team is still far from looking, playing and functioning as he wants it to.
Owners to back Potter with Hammers signings
Is it any wonder given the manager prefers to build his sides around young, powerful players but has been left with the oldest squad in the Premier League.
Changes were always going to be necessary in the summer.
And it seems West Ham’s new head of recruitment Kyle Macauley is busy in the background.
Because four targets have been named for West Ham’s Potter overhaul after the board U-turn on transfers.
The Hammers have Evan Ferguson on loan until the end of the season.
There is no option or obligation to buy in that deal.
But it has been claimed by club sources that the intention is to make that move permanent if things work out over the next three months.
Four targets named for West Ham’s Potter overhaul
Doubt has been cast over whether West Ham can afford Brighton’s valuation for Ferguson.
Talks will take place between now and the expiration of his deal should all parties want the same thing.
Another four stars are on Macauley and Potter’s list to transform the Hammers.
The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas has named three of those targets.
Jonathan David looks like a pie-in-the-sky target for West Ham.
But Thomas insists the soon-to-be free agent Lille striker is top of the club’s list of targets.
That has been claimed elsewhere for some time but a host of Europe’s elite clubs want David too.
It was revealed this week that Potter believes West Ham can beat Barcelona to David and is determined to do so.
Another Brighton reunion on cards at West Ham
After Ferguson and Macauley, Potter also wants another Brighton reunion in east London.
Hammers News exclusively revealed in January that West Ham held talks about signing Adam Webster from the Seagulls.
Thomas claims that deal is still on the cards for the centre-back this summer.
That makes sense with Potter settling on his back five formation but preferring full-backs over Konstantinos Mavropanos as one of them.
Webster may not have fans salivating, especially given he is 30, but Potter knows him well and feels he will complement what he already has at the back.
West Ham also need depth in that position.
Young stars Stroeykens and Castro in West Ham’s sights
A brand new name in West Ham’s sights is Anderlecht attacking midfielder Mario Stroeykens.
The 20-year-old rising Belgian star is a skilful playmaker.
And goodness knows West Ham sorely need more guile in their team.
Stroeykens is making waves in the Pro League A with Anderlecht. Scouting reports say his playing style is ‘sure to excite’.
Operating primarily as a central midfielder, he can also play as a number 10 or a left winger.
Stroeykens is described as a ‘creative force’ on the pitch. His stats reveal an impressive knack for chance creation, signalling his ability to unlock defences with ease.
Another 20-year-old talent on West Ham’s radar is Serie A striker Santiago Castro.
Tuttosport in Italy claim Macauley has had West Ham’s scouts watching the Bologna’s young Argentine forward since he arrived as the new head of recruitment.
Castro arrived as Joshua Zirkzee’s replacement when he signed for Man United.
And he has really impressed with his all-round game. The forward has scored seven goals and laid on four assists in Serie A this season.
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