West Ham United cannot be accused of resting on their laurels in pursuit of a much-needed midfield overhaul at the London Stadium.
The 2024/25 Premier League season only came to an end on Sunday – Jarrod Bowen inspired a 3-1 final day win at Ipswich Town – but the Hammers already appear to be moving in the right direction in pursuit of youthful, energetic midfielders.
The kind of which Graham Potter’s one-paced, low-litre engine room is crying out for.
West Ham may be one step closer to signing Raphael Onyedika from Club Brugge, after the Belgian giants agreed a deal to bring in Hamburg’s Ludovit Reis as his replacement.
The Hammers have held talks with Ardon Jashari too. Another Club Brugge enforcer. One who caught the eye during the Champions League with his intelligent, probing passes from deep.
Genoa’s Morten Frendrup is one to watch at the London Stadium as well.
Give Me Sport claim that West Ham United have made contact with the Serie A outfit, while Il Grifone are expected to let the tough-tackling Denmark international leave should they receive an offer in the region of £17 million.
Genoa ace Morten Frendrup ‘flattered’ by West Ham United links
Graham Potter would ideally like a number six and a number eight this summer.
Frendrup, a superb ball-winner but mobile enough to drive his team up the pitch when required, could potentially come to represent two midfield additions rolled into one.
Speaking to Give Me Sport, meanwhile, Frendrup reflected on West Ham’s interest for the first time. And while he appears in no rush to leave Genoa after three years in Italy, the former Brondby battle-axe does not hide his interest in a fresh challenge on English soil.
“I am flattered by links with some big clubs,” Frendrup explains. “However, my only focus is on Genoa. I like to stay in the present.
“It’s nice to see my name mentioned with Premier League or European teams, but I think it’s important to keep my feet on the ground and stay in the present.”
He idolises Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, meanwhile, though his approach is more reminiscent of another former Anfield favourite in Javier Mascherano.
“As a child, I grew up watching a lot of the Premier League, and Liverpool games in particular. I have always liked Steven Gerrard,” Frendrup adds. “He was the player I watched the most when I was younger.
“Generally, people in Denmark either follow Liverpool or Manchester United!”
West Ham face AC Milan and Brentford battle for Denmark midfielder
As things stand, struggling Man United and newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool appear to be looking elsewhere.
Frendrup is not short of options, though. AC Milan and Fiorentina are among those looking to keep the 24-year-old in Serie A.
Unsurprisingly, Brentford have also taken note of his progress. A Brentford side coached by Thomas Frank, and whose success in recent years has been built upon the rock-solid foundations of their Danish core.
“Morten is a player who can play anywhere,” former Genoa coach and one-time Italy striker Alberto Gillardino said earlier in the campaign, before he was replaced by Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira.
“He has dynamism. He has great speed in his first few steps. He is a ball-winner and a game-changer. He’s just a very reliable player.”
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