As West Ham United prepare to step up their pursuit of a new goalkeeper, most if not all the signs are pointing towards Leicester City glovesman Mads Hermansen making a speedy return to the Premier League stage.
A spokesman for the club’s board told Hammers News that West Ham are prioritising signing a goalkeeper in the coming days.
And not a moment too soon.
The much-maligned Alphonse Areola made another costly mistake in possession during the 2-1 defeat by Manchester United in New Jersey. Just like against Nottingham Forest at the back end of last season, a poor pass out resulted in the ball flying into the West Ham United net moments later.
Graham Potter would ideally like his new number one to be far more competent with the ball at his feet, as well as an excellent shot-stopper. Hence, the interest in Leicester’s City £25 million-rated Danish net-guarder.
Mads Hermansen has been missing throughout the Foxes’ pre-season preparations. He was nowhere to be seen again as a side now coached by ex-Queens Park Rangers boss Marti Cifuentes lost 3-1 to Bundesliga outfit Koln on Friday.
Cifuentes, though, has a rather simple explanation for Hermansen’s absence.
Marti Cifuentes explains Mads Hermansen absence as West Ham United target Leicester City goalkeeper
When asked about the former Denmark Under-21 international, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s replacement at the King Power Stadium insisted that Hermansen is still recovering from a groin injury he picked up in May.
Jakub Stolarzyk has taken his place in the meantime, though the signing of veteran Asmir Begovic does appear to suggest that Leicester are planning for life without the ex-Brondby ace.
“[Hermansen’s recovery] is going well. He has started to train with the group,” Cifuentes said while the Odense-born 25-year-old edges closer to a return.
“During this camp [in Austria], he has been taking a step forward in terms of what he was doing before that. He is feeling good. He is starting to kick longer, he is starting to push really hard.
“We hope he can be ready soon.”
It remains to be seen whether Hermansen will be fit enough to start when Leicester host Sheffield Wednesday in their Championship opener on August 10th.
Or, perhaps more pertinently, whether he will still be a Leicester player by then.
Hermansen could reunite with Casper Ankergren as Newcastle turn to Aaron Ramsdale
Hammers News have been informed that Mads Hermansen is now West Ham’s number one target to replace Areola between the sticks.
The arrival of Casper Ankergren, the club’s newly-appointed first-team goalkeeping coach, could see two ex-Brondby employees reunited at the London Stadium too.
Newcastle United were heavily linked with Hermansen but are now closing in on Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale – another on Graham Potter’s radar – instead. Djordje Petrovic and Coaimhin Kelleher have joined Bournemouth and Brentford respectively, while Parma have no plans to sell Zion Suzuki any time soon.
This leaves Hermansen, reportedly valued at £25 million according to The Sun, as perhaps the most attainable option under consideration.
“We are working hard on a new goalkeeper this week,” a club source explains to Hammers News. “We want to get that sorted as a priority next and we are very short in that position.”
Hermansen was outstanding for Leicester City as they stunned Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham 3-1 in December last year. The visitors mustered 31 shots on goal at the King Power Stadium, only to see the latest of consolations arrive via Niclas Fullkrug in stoppage time.
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