A West Ham signing many believed was all but done has now taken a worrying turn according to a journalist with strong connections at the club.
The well-placed journalist has revealed a gravely concerning Hammers twist that means the supposedly imminent transfer remains in the balance.
Recent days have seen some excitement break out around West Ham for the first time this summer transfer window.
Hammers fans have been savage in their criticism of West Ham’s owners over the club’s financial situation – much of it justified.
Mood shifts around West Ham after positive transfer news
Graham Potter made it clear he needs to oversee a youthful rebuild if he is to turn West Ham around after winning just five of his 19 games in charge with the current squad.
A period of grace has well and truly expired for the Hammers boss as he takes the club into a new season.
But that was on the basis many believed he would be backed to overhaul a West Ham team that has regressed badly in the last 18 months.
With the board insisting the club must sell to buy, there have been growing fears the Irons are in for a season of struggle.
But it is amazing what a bit of hope and positive news can do for a fanbase.
West Ham’s transfer window burst into life with confirmation the club had made an official bid for Slavia Prague star El Hadji Malick Diouf.
There were also claimed Germany Under 21 star Nelson Weiper is being lined up while claims from South America and Italy have stated the Hammers have bid for Richard Rios too.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed West Ham had seen an initial proposal rejected for Diouf from the club who sold them Tomas Soucek and Vlaidimir Coufal.
West Ham fans have been particularly excited at the prospect of signing Diouf after he shone in Senegal’s superb 3-1 win over England recently.
Gravely concerning twist to ‘imminent’ West Ham signing Diouf
It was reported West Ham offered around £17.5m for the 20-year-old but Slavia rejected it, demanding over £20m.
There was a stunning development yesterday when a friend and former Czech Under 19 teammate of Soucek and Coufal teased that West Ham are close to signing Diouf.
Jiri Sodoma, who now plays in the Czech National League, claimed ‘agent’ Soucek had been key to the deal with his old club.
Given that Sodoma has been spending time playing Padel with Soucek in the Czech Republic in recent days, that information was very tantalising indeed for Hammers fans.
A leading outlet in Czech Republic then claimed West Ham are on the verge of signing Diouf for a record fee for their country.
It’s even since been claimed Diouf will head to east London for a Hammers medical in the next 48 hours.
But now a journalist has dropped a gravely concerning twist about the ‘imminent’ West Ham signing of Diouf.
Amid all the excitement Jack Rosser has brought everybody connected with the Hammers crashing back down to earth.
Sun reporter Rosser used to be The Evening Standard’s West Ham reporter.
As a result, he is well connected at the club.
Rosser has taken to social media to deliver a rather disappointing update, claiming Czech sources are getting carried away too soon.
Because West Ham are not close to signing Diouf yet.
In fact Rosser claims an initial fee has not even been agreed between David Sullivan and co and the Slavia board.
“After having an opening bid rejected, West Ham remain short of Slavia Prague’s asking price for El Hadji Malick Diouf and are set to have a second offer knocked back,” Rosser said.
“Slavia want £17m up front before any add-ons, West Ham not there with the initial fee at this stage.”
It’s not clear whether Rosser means Slavia want £17m as one lump payment.
That would be somewhat unusual – but not as uncommon as it once was – because most transfer fees are paid in instalments over the course of a contract.
Either way this is particularly worrying because the Hammers do not have that kind of money to front in one hit at the moment.
Not until, as West Ham keep telling everyone ad nauseum, sales are made.
Hammers fans are now so invested in signing Diouf, they will be furious if the hierarchy fail to get it done.
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