A player widely tipped to become West Ham’s third summer signing has missed training, fuelling fresh speculation that a move to the London Stadium is edging closer.
Talks have reportedly been held with multiple targets in the position but the player in question has emerged as the leading candidate as signs now point to the Hammers closing in on their next breakthrough in the summer transfer window.
West Ham have admitted it has been a ‘tough market’ this summer.
That has been reflected in the fact Graham Potter has only been able to make two signings so far.
That’s despite pledging an “exciting and interesting” summer rebuild around young, dynamic talent as he vowed to drive down the age of West Ham’s squad – which was the oldest in the Premier League last season.
The Hammers have today launched their third new kit ahead of the 2025/26 season.
West Ham now have more kits than signings this summer
Fans have already been quipping that the club has more kits than signings this summer.
But West Ham are pushing to level that up this week.
On Monday, the Hammers board revealed they are pushing to sign a new goalkeeper this week.
The new Premier League season will be just two weeks away when the weekend rolls around.
And Alphonse Areola is failing to convince having made mistakes for both goals in West Ham’s 2-1 Summer Series defeat to Man United in New York.
The first of those errors show why so many feel West Ham must sign a new number one.
Areola is capable of amazing saves in a game but his overall command of his area and doing the basics to a consistently high level are lacking.
That is why Potter’s brutal decision to release the ever steady Lukasz Fabianski surprised many.
The former Poland international’s departure means the Hammers are well short in the goalkeeping department.
West Ham’s owners acknowledged that in an exclusive with Hammers News, stating they are ‘working hard’ on bringing in a new goalkeeper this week.
Now it seems there may be progress after that pledge.
Mystery as top West Ham target misses training
Because a top West Ham target has missed training amid mounting speculation he will be the club’s third summer signing.
The Hammers have been linked with a plethora of goalkeepers as they look to sign a new number one.
There was reported interest in Djorde Petrovic and Caoimhin Kelleher before they signed for Bournemouth and Brentford respectively.
Links to Aaron Ramsdale came to nothing, much to the relief of many Hammers fans, as the relegated Saints stopper looks set to join Newcastle.
Three names consistently linked with moves to the London Stadium of late are Leicester’s Mads Hermansen, Parma’s Zion Suzuki and Sheffield United’s Michael Cooper – a Will Salthouse client.
It was reported at the weekend that Leicester are braced for West Ham to sign 25-year-old Dane Hermansen.
Hammers News revealed Hermansen was a big West Ham target when reporting on the expected appointment of new head of goalkeeping Casper Ankergren.
Japan star Suzuki has been consistently linked too.
In fact this week it has been claimed Suzuki is emerging as West Ham’s prime goalkeeper target ahead of Hermansen and Cooper.
The problem the Hammers have faced is that Parma are said to want a huge £30m fee for Suzuki.
Mounting speculation Suzuki will be West Ham’s third signing
There may be something afoot regarding West Ham’s interest in the powerfully built, 6ft 3in 22-year-old Japan international, though.
Because Italian paper Gazetta Dello Sport is reporting that Suzuki has not been training with Parma with the reason being a mystery but no injury issue put forward.
Suzuki represents a very interesting potential addition for West Ham.
The young goalkeeper’s saves highlight reel from last season, which you can see below. makes for impressive viewing.
At 22, he would have the potential to be West Ham’s number one for years to come.
It would also see the Hammers tap in to the very lucrative Japanese market for the impressive star, who was born in the US and sports distinctive bleached blonde hair.
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