While strikers continue to be linked, the signing of Mads Hermansen and the ongoing pursuit of Mateus Fernandes proves that West Ham United’s priorities always laid elsewhere.
After bringing in the attack-minded left-back they wanted in El Hadji Malick Diouf, while strengthening the squad with a pair of proven Premier League additions in Kyle Walker-Peters and Callum Wilson, focus then turned to the goalkeeping department.
West Ham eventually picked Mads Hermansen over John Victor despite entering advanced discussions with the Botafogo giant. An £18 million acquisition from Leicester City, Hermansen could make his debut against Sunderland in Saturday’s top-flight opener after taking the number one jersey vacated by Lukasz Fabianski.
Now, with Hermansen in the building, West Ham United are hot on the heels of another young talent relegated from the first division last time out.
Southampton rejected a £30 million bid for Mateus Fernandes on Tuesday, but expect this saga to drag on.
In stark contrast, those Roberto Piccoli links have gone cold nearly two weeks after reports in Italy – via CagliariNews24 and Get Italian Football News – claimed that the Cagliari striker was keen on joining West Ham before the close of the window.
Having scored a career-best ten Serie A goals in 2024/25, Cagliari seized the chance to turn Piccoli’s loan deal into a permanent transfer earlier in the window. But the prospect of a quick profit – West Ham were allegedly quoted £25 million – would surely have tested the will of president Tommaso Giulini.
Tommaso Giulini speaks out on West Ham United links with Cagliari striker Roberto Piccoli
Speaking to La Nuova Sardegna, however, the man in charge at the Sardinian outfit insists that no such offer has arrived.
And with West Ham determined to spend their existing funds on a dynamic central midfielder, that seems unlikely to change as things stand.
“We’re talking about a strong striker. He could be the future of Italian football and I’m convinced that another year with us will cement his reputation,” Giulini says, albeit without slamming the door on a potential transfer.
“We made a major effort to buy him back and keep him with us. [But] the transfer market is always unpredictable. If an offer commensurate with the player’s value arrives, and if he’s open to taking on another challenge – something that hasn’t happened so far – we’ll consider it.
“But this is a [situation facing] all Serie A teams, starting with the most prestigious ones.”
The 6ft 5ins Piccoli scored five of his ten goals last term with his head. If a move to the London Stadium was to materialise – as unlikely as it seems – he and El Hadji Malick Diouf could be a match made in footballing heaven.
Diouf’s ‘unbelievable’ delivery has Tony Cottee reminiscing about the glory days of David Beckham. The in-form Niclas Fullkrug cannot wait to link up with Diouf on the Premier League stage, meanwhile, with their respective pre-season performances an exciting hint of things to come.
Graham Potter backs Callum Wilson amid Idrissa Gueye claims
Fullkrug is likely to start the new campaign as Potter’s go-to number nine. The versatility of Jarrod Bowen, plus Callum Wilson’s arrival and the emergence of Callum Marshall, has seen a potential big-money striker signing slip down the club’s list of priorities.
Wilson joined on a free transfer from Newcastle United at the beginning of August. While an underwhelming addition in the eyes of many supporters, this did free up funds for the Hammers to spend heavily on Hermansen while dropping £30 million on Southampton’s desk in pursuit of Portuguese playmaker Fernandes.
If a centre-forward is to arrive, it could be more in the mould of Idrissa Gueye.
French publication Foot Mercato claim that West Ham held discussions with FC Metz last week. Gueye is just 18 years of age. And, at a reported £13 million, he would cost around half the fee Cagliari want for Piccoli.
As for Wilson, Potter believes the ex-England international can silence his critics so long as he avoids a return to the dreaded treatment table.
“We’ve got some really good attacking options now,” Potter said on Thursday.
“[Wilson] brings an experience, a know-how, and a quality that is not easy to find. A proven Premier League striker with a fantastic mentality and character. He’s come from a good environment, and can help our young players and the competition in the group.
“We have to help him to enjoy his football, to be available on the pitch and fighting for his position, which we are confident about. Then, we have a top player. We feel he has the attributes to help the team in terms of scoring goals but also helping the team function in a good way.”
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