A major European club has released an official transfer statement as West Ham close in on their second signing of the summer window.
The Hammers look set to accelerate their business as Graham Potter really starts to reshape his squad and the latest update suggests signing number two is imminent.
West Ham finally broke their summer transfer window duck this week with the arrival of El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague.
Senegal’s pacy, powerful left wingback joined the Hammers from Slavia Prague in a £19m deal, which could reach £23m.
After seven barren weeks prior to that move, though, West Ham are playing catch-up.
Hammers waste no time over signing number two
Potter wants to sign at least one new striker, two midfielders, a centre-back and a goalkeeper.
The move for Diouf finally ends West Ham’s long search for a new left-back.
It is a position that has been neglected for far too long in east London.
But Potter’s decision to release Aaron Cresswell meant it had to be addressed this summer.
The Hammers boss also released right-back Vladimir Coufal.
That has left Aaron Wan-Bissaka as the only senior player for that position at the club.
Although West Ham don’t have the exertions of Europe to contend with, Wan-Bissaka will be joining Diouf at the African Nations in January.
So that would leave Potter with only Ollie Scarles – who struggled at the back end of last season after initially breaking into the first XI.
Not for much longer, though.
Because a European giant has released an official transfer statement as West Ham close in on a second signing.
Giants release transfer statement as West Ham close on signing
The Hammers have been heavily linked with Kyle Walker-Peters for several seasons now.
In fact West Ham tried to sign Walker-Peters when he was still at Spurs before moving for Coufal.
Walker-Peters was expected to sign for West Ham last summer with Southampton weighing up whether to cash in as he entered the last year of his contract.
That deal expired last month and former Spurs and England player Walker-Peters has been a free agent ever since.
Speculation surrounding a West Ham move for the Edmonton-born 28-year-old had gone quiet of late.
It then emerged that Walker-Peters was expected to move to Turkey with Besiktas.
But a move to the London Stadium has suddenly reignited again just days after the arrival of Diouf.
Hammers insider ExWHUemployee revealed earlier that West Ham had made a late move to keep Walker-Peters in the Premier League.
That was despite Besiktas announcing the full-back – who is just as adept playing on the left as he is his natural right side – was set to sign for them just three days ago.
In a statement on Monday, the Turkish giants said: “Beşiktaş today announced that the Club have reached a transfer agreement with the English player Kyle Walker-Peters.
“Following the player’s medical examination in Istanbul, details of the contract will be made public.”
That public announcement never came, though.
Because the Hammers have swooped to snatch Walker-Peters from Besiktas’ grasp.
And now the Turks have issued a new statement this evening all but confirming West Ham’s second signing of the summer window.
Besiktas confirm move is off for West Ham-bound Walker-Peters
“It is publicly known that the arrival of professional football player Kyle Walker-Peters, with whom we previously announced an agreement in principle and invited him to Istanbul for a medical examination, has been postponed,” Besiktas have said in a new statement.
“Today, Kyle Walker-Peters notified us, requesting an extension.
“Consequently, our club has withdrawn its transfer. Our club continues its transfer efforts in accordance with its established policy. We respectfully inform the public.”
Walker-Peters will provide cover for Wan-Bissaka and Diouf on both sides and give Potter depth to push in all competitions.
A pacy, energetic player, he fits the profile the Hammers boss is going for while providing excellent value on a free transfer.
Walker-Peters is also a homegrown player, ticking another important box for West Ham.
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