Leicester City coach Marti Cifuentes knew that the conversation would quickly turn to Mads Hermansen, the Foxes boss hosting the media at the King Power Stadium as West Ham United agree a deal to sign his highly-rated goalkeeper.
On Thursday afternoon, the news that West Ham United supporters – and particularly club legend Tony Cottee – had been waiting for finally arrived.
West Ham had agreed a fee with Leicester City for Mads Hermansen. And while the Foxes faithful are not happy with Hermansen’s price-tag – £18 million, they feel, is a lot less than the club should be demanding for a 24-year-old goalkeeper with a contract running until 2028 – that imminent switch to the London Stadium ensures Graham Potter has the new number one he so clearly wanted.
Hammers News can confirm that, while John Victor came close to joining from Botafogo, former Denmark Under-21 international Hermansen was always West Ham’s first-choice.
Potter’s gain, then, is Marti Cifuentes’ loss.
Marti Cifuentes reacts as West Ham United close in on Leicester City goalkeeper Mads Hermansen
Cifuentes is the man tasked with taking Leicester back to the Premier League at the first time of asking following the disastrous reign of Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The club’s well-publicised financial issues have forced Leicester to cash in on both Wilfred Ndidi and Hermansen, however, while West Ham are admirers of Bilal El Khannouss too.
Hermansen has not signed on the dotted line just yet, of course. Cifuentes kept his cards close to his chest when quizzed on the subject during his Friday press conference. But, with a fee agreed, Sunday’s Championship opener with Sheffield Wednesday may be Hermansen’s farewell appearance provided he features at all.
“There are conversations around some players,” Cifuentes began. “And I think that is the reality of every football club in the country.
“Some things might happen. But, in any case, my target is to make sure that everyone here is 100 per cent committed, everybody is training at a really high level and preparing for the next game.”
“I cannot comment that much,” the Spaniard added when pressed further on Hermansen’s future. “Obviously, there is interest around him but, if there is any news or updates, the club will [provide] it.”
Casper Ankergren praised ‘amazing’ Hermansen at Brondby
The aforementioned Tony Cottee wanted to see Alphonse Areola replaced between the sticks after a season full of blunders.
Whether Hermansen proves to be enough of an upgrade remains to be seen. There is always an element of risk attached when signing an overworked goalkeeper facing a barrage of shots in front of a backline missing in action.
But West Ham can lean on the expertise of Casper Ankergren, the club’s new Lead First-Team Goalkeeping Coach.
Ankergren described Hermansen as an ‘amazing’ talent during their time together at Danish giants Brondby in 2023. A 70-game spell during which the highlight was undoubtedly his stunning triple save against Midtjylland, weeks before that £5 million move to Leicester.
“It was a really, really good game from Mads,” Ankergren said after his then-22-year-old goalkeeper kept out a penalty at his left-hand side, then sprang to his right to push aside not one but two follow-up attempts.
“His saves were of different types, where he had to adjust his position quickly and react quickly. Then, of course he saves a penalty kick.
“We goalkeepers can all save a penalty. Of course there is some gut feeling in a penalty save and some preparation. But, it’s the things that happen after the first save that are amazing. I’ve seen double saves, but I haven’t seen many triple saves!
“He shows how fast and athletic he is. He has been really, really good.
“It is obvious that he has a slightly different role now, but I also think that he has become better at dominating the field. Mads has become more mature.
“We have talked a lot about him taking on more responsibility now that he is a little older and has played a few games for Brondby and has been captain of the U21 [Danish] national team. He has happily taken that on his shoulders.
“The more games you play, the faster you move up the hierarchy.”
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