Tim Steidten had a West Ham scout watching a very special player last night

Add as preferred source on Google

Hammers technical director Tim Steidten had a West Ham scout watching a very special player last night and he didn’t disappoint.

Julen Lopetegui says he wants to ‘make a big noise’ with West Ham.

And technical director Tim Steidten says the Hammers are in for a ‘big transfer window’.

So it’s only natural that will lead to big hope and expectations among the West Ham faithful.

In order for Lopetegui to make the big noise he desires, West Ham will undoubtedly have to be busy – and successful – in this summer transfer window.

Promising Brazilian teen Luis Guilherme has arrived to bolster the attacking options.

But the key word there is ‘promising’ and it will be interesting to see how the 18-year-old adapts to playing in the best league in the world directly from Brazilian football.

West Ham duo want big noise and big window

Wes Foderingham comes in at the other end of the scale, a veteran goalkeeper providing back-up for West Ham duo Alphonse Areola and Lukasz Fabianski while ticking the all-important homegrown player box.

Now attentions turn to at least another six signings as the Hammers look for two new centre-backs, a versatile full-back, a left-sided attacker, central midfielder and a striker.

The likes of Kyle Walker-Peters, who can play both right and left-back, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Sergio Reguillon, Raoul Bellanova and a number of others have been linked with moves to the London Stadium.

But one player in particular was in the club’s sights before Euro 2024.

And he has taken to the big stage with his country like a duck to water.

Steidten had a West Ham scout watching a very special player last night.

According to Turkish newspaper Milat Gazetesi West Ham had scouts watching the country’s 2-1 win over Austria on Tuesday evening.

Steidten had a West Ham scout watching very special player

The player in question? Brilliant Fenerbahce left-back Ferdi Kadioglu.

Hammers News reported back in May that West Ham were trying to beat Arsenal to the Dutch-born 24-year-old.

It was even stated that West Ham had made an official offer to Fene for £22m.

That was prior to the appointment of Jose Mourinho, who must now decide whether to accept in order to boost his own transfer kitty.

Kadioglu has been sensational at the Euros, shining for Turkey in their run to the quarter-finals – where they will face the country of the full-back’s birth, Holland.

The report claims Kadiioglu’s transfer to a major European league ‘is important for both Fenerbahce’s future and the young player’s career’.

“The decisions the club will make during this process may also be decisive for Turkish football in the coming period,” the report states.

West Ham were in attendance and can’t fail but to have been impressed.

Hammers can’t fail but to have been impressed by Kadioglu

Kadioglu was the fourth highest rated player on the pitch as the Turks beat tournament “dark horses” Austria.

He played at left wing-back and the report back to Steidten from West Ham’s scout will have been glowing.

The problem for West Ham is that Arsenal also sent a scout to the game to watch the star as did Borussia Dortmund, Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen, Fulham, Wolves, Atletico Madrid and Valencia.

It is claimed Fenerbahce have rejected a 25 million euro offer from Dortmund and told the Germans they want around £30m.

It seems unlikely West Ham would go that high for a full-back.

But the fact Steidten had a scout at the game to run the rule over Kadioglu suggests the interest is real.

Whether the Hammers now enter a bid that will give Fenebahce and Mourinho a big decision to make remains to be seen.

Football analysts WhoScored say Kadioglu, who can play left-back, right-back and even at centre-back, has ‘no significant weaknesses’.

His passing, finishing and defensive contribution is rated as ‘very strong’.

Kadioglu’s strengths include dribbling, key passes, crossing and holding on to the ball.

When signing Guilherme, Steidten made it clear West Ham want to bring in versatile players who can operate in multiple positions.

The Hammers recruitment chief said it is a very important trait in the modern game.

So Kadioglu certainly fits the bill.

READ ALSO

Homegrown star tracked by Steidten now officially free to join West Ham

Villa star has made feelings clear about joining West Ham

Mikautadze next step confirmed and it could be good news for West Ham