West Ham appear to have performed a big U-turn over reported transfer plans and now want a top Liverpool star.
It comes as the Hammers head to Anfield to take on Liverpool with the player in question in line to face the side who want to sign him this summer.
Graham Potter promised an ‘exciting summer window’ is in store for West Ham ahead of facing Premier League champions-elect Liverpool.
Now we might be finding out why.
After a disastrous season, the Hammers are planning wholesale changes this summer.
The midfield and striker department is being ripped up.
West Ham planning goalkeeper changes
But a changing of the guard among the goalkeepers is on the cards too.
It comes amid doubts over Alphonse Areola as West Ham’s number one and with 40-year-old veteran Lukasz Fabianski out of contract at the end of the season.
Potter has warned West Ham’s stars they are playing for their futures.
And Areola faces his biggest test of the season away at Liverpool.
He will be under even more pressure as speculation is rife over his potential replacements ahead of the clash against the Reds.
Hammers fans unimpressed by Ramsdale links
West Ham have been heavily linked with a £20m move for Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Ramsdale has been nicknamed ‘the relegator’ by football fans after suffering demotion from the Premier League with three different clubs – Sheffield United, Bournemouth and Southampton.
Despite that dismal record, Ramsdale has fetched over £75m in transfer fees in his career so far.
The Times claims West Ham are considering bringing that total to £95m by making Ramsdale in as their new number one.
Many West Ham supporters have been angered by the links, asking why the club would add a goalkeeper who has shipped 77 goals – and counting – this season to a side that has regressed badly in the last 16 months.
Ramsdale responded to his West Ham doubters with a man of the match performance for Saints as he saved two penalties against Aston Villa.
Liverpool star’s West Ham audition after journalist’s exciting claim
But it seems that has not been enough to convince West Ham to go against fan wishes.
Now Liverpool star Caoimhin Kelleher is set for a big West Ham audition after a journalist’s exciting claim hours before the two sides meet.
West Ham have been linked with a move for Kelleher since he made it clear he wants to leave Liverpool to be a number one elsewhere.
The 26-year-old stopper has seriously impressed while covering for Alisson this season.
He looks set to step in again with the Brazilian ‘keeper said to be unavailable to face West Ham.
That’s more like it as Hammers target Kelleher
Kelleher knows he is too good to be a number two goalkeeper and when speaking to The Times, he admitted that he knows he has to leave to be top dog.
Now journalist Alan Nixon has claimed West Ham have turned their attentions to him as their prime goalkeeper target over Ramsdale.
Nixon says the Hammers have Kelleher firmly in their sights and are very keen on the Republic of Ireland international.
West Ham are reportedly going to try and sign him on an initial loan but Liverpool may want a straight deal at the same £20m price as Saints reportedly want for Ramsdale.
Nixon also claims Ramsdale is one of a number of ‘elite’ back-up options West Ham have if they can’t sign Kelleher.
West Ham fans will be excited by these new claims.
Now Potter must hope Kelleher plays well enough to convince the club’s owners he is worth the investment.
But not so well the Hammers can’t find a way past him.
The claim comes hours before kick-off at Anfield and adds an intriguing sub-plot to the game.
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