A Manchester City star has just handed West Ham a timely transfer boost — in what could be the best news of the window so far for Graham Potter.
With the opportunity to land the Manchester City ace now on the table, Hammers chief David Sullivan cannot let the opportunity slip through his fingers.
And it may even help quell some of the vitriol being aimed at Sullivan and the West Ham board from the fanbase.
Man City and West Ham both need rebuilds this summer transfer window.
The difference is Manchester City have the money and status to get Pep Guardiola’s signings in the door early, quickly and efficiently.
On the other hand, Graham Potter and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay had to wait until Mohammed Kudus was sold before making their first additions of the window – both being full-backs.
Since the arrival of El Hadji Malick Diouf and Kyle Walker-Peters at the London Stadium, Potter is said to have turned his attention to West Ham’s problematic midfield.
West Ham mood dampened by striker situation
Ageing, slow, immobile and lacking in any real guile beyond longstanding Man City target Lucas Paqueta, West Ham’s midfield is the single biggest issue Potter must address.
Talks have been held over deals for Liverpool duo Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton.
But two Man City stars have also been in West Ham’s sights.
It remains to be seen whether there is any substance to claims Pep Guardiola is ‘willing to wait’ to sign West Ham’s Paqueta, who could be available for as little as £30-40m if he beats spot-fixing charges.
Paqueta is still awaiting a verdict in the case, which ended 50 days ago and collapsed the Brazilian’s “dream” move to Man City almost two years ago.
Guardiola has repeatedly stated he does not want a bloated squad.
So the raft of new arrivals at the Etihad mean a number of players have been told they can leave.
And West Ham are interested in two of them in the shape of James McAtee and Jack Grealish.
Now a Man City star has given West Ham their best news of the window so far and Sullivan must act fast.
After 18 months of misery, there was some welcome enthusiasm and positivity around the Hammers last week.
Two signings in a week and links to the likes of McAtee, Grealish, Elliott and others had fans feeling buoyant again.
Man City star gives West Ham best news of the window so far
But claims Potter doesn’t think he needs to sign a new striker – coupled with Hammers News’ major exclusive that West Ham ‘expect’ to sign ageing, injury-prone Callum Wilson – has darkened the mood among the fanbase again.
While the Grealish loan links have excited West Ham fans, McAtee has emerged as one player who has been consistently and persistently linked with a move to east London since January.
Potter has made it clear he wants to rebuild the Hammers around young, dynamic talent.
Guardiola has made it clear McAtee must leave to get the game time he needs and deserves.
A journalist named McAtee as one of Potter’s three key midfield targets.
A recent report revealed Man City may insist on a buy-back clause if they sold McAtee to West Ham.
The problem for the Hammers is they are far from the only club interested in the 22-year-old playmaker.
A host of clubs in Italy, Spain and Germany have been linked with McAtee too.
There were claims Fiorentina were close to agreeing a £17m deal to sign McAtee ahead of West Ham.
The Guardian stated that West Ham remain very much interested in McAtee, reporting that Frankfurt are vying for his signature too.
Jacob Steinberg, of the same paper, said last week that a move abroad looked more likely for McAtee.
But in what could be a huge twist, McAtee has let it be known he wants to move to another Premier League club.
Sky Sports News reporters Amar Mehta and Ben Ransom are reporting that McAtee has officially rejected a move abroad amid interest from clubs in Germany and Italy.
“It’s understood the Manchester City midfielder prefers to stay in England,” the report states.
Sullivan must act as McAtee makes stance clear
This is absolutely huge for West Ham and – judging by reports elsewhere – it will be a two-horse race between the Hammers and Nottingham Forest to sign him.
Although Forest have European football, it will be hoped Potter’s project, the lure of London and playing in front of 62,500 fans every other week would sway things in West Ham’s favour.
Sullivan simply cannot afford to miss out, especially given McAtee has reportedly been one of Potter’s top targets since he joined the club.
In terms of Grealish, talk of a move to West Ham has gone quiet after a flurry of speculation.
Hammers News understands from a top transfer source that any deal for Grealish ‘would be one that happens late in the window’.
That’s because Grealish is keen to gauge all his options before deciding where he goes for a crucial season leading into the 2026 World Cup.
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