Tim Steidten’s West Ham masterstroke has been made perfectly clear with star Carlos Forbs set for a Premier League return.
West Ham have had a number of sliding doors moments down the years, especially in the transfer market.
But all too often the Hammers have drawn the short straw.
Not with Tim Steidten as West Ham’s technical director and recruitment chief on the evidence so far, though.
West Ham seemed to be struggling to make signings after the German’s arrival in the summer and fans were concerned.
Steidten’s West Ham masterstroke made clear
Man City “wonderkid” Carlos Borges – now known as Carlos Forbs – was set to be Steidten’s first capture.
That was until Ajax swooped to “steal him” from West Ham’s grasp at the 11th hour. Or at least that’s what the Dutch giants thought at the time.
Ajax were delighted with themselves.
But fast forward to the end of the window and it was the Hammers laughing last.
Carlos Forbs set for Premier League return
What was clearly by design, West Ham pounced to take advantage of Ajax’s need to balance the books following the acquisitions of Forbs and other signings.
Steidten’s relationship with fellow German and then Ajax director of football Sven Mislintat helped clear the path for West Ham to sign Ajax’s two best players Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez for a combined bargain of £72m.
Ajax collapsed into chaos and Mislintat would go on to be sacked just a matter of months into the job with the Kudus, Alvarez and Forbs deals cited as key reasons.
Now Steidten’s West Ham masterstroke is made clear with star Forbs set for a Premier League return.
Hammers turned tables on Ajax
According to HITC, Forbs has been told he can leave Ajax this month – just seven months after joining for around £17million (BBC).
And relegation-threatened trio Everton, Burnley and Notts Forest are said to be fighting it out for him.
It remains to be seen whether Forbs has simply failed to live up to the hype or if he has been a victim of circumstance in Amsterdam.
One thing is for certain, though, West Ham came out on top and then some in this particular transfer saga.
And it was a Steidten masterclass.
West Ham fans will certainly be keeping a keen eye on how Forbs fares in the Prem if he does return to England before next week’s deadline.
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