An utterly sensational Chelsea double deal plays right into West Ham’s new transfer plan to sign a third midfielder this summer.
David Moyes has insisted West Ham are far from done in the summer transfer window and the same goes for big spending Chelsea it seems.
When Declan Rice was sold both Moyes and Hammers co-owner David Sullivan publicly declared they wanted to sign at least two midfielders to replace him.
One of those targets was Chelsea ace Conor Gallagher. West Ham saw a bid worth up to £40m rejected and have since signed former Blues target Edson Alvarez while James Ward-Prowse is also on his way to the London Stadium.
The situation has changed for both West Ham and Chelsea since that Gallagher bid was knocked back, though.
Utterly sensational Chelsea double deal plays right into West Ham’s new transfer plan to sign a third midfielder
Because Moyes has admitted Flynn Downes is likely to leave West Ham – on loan to Southampton – in search of more guaranteed game time.
That means West Ham will have lost three central midfielders – including Manuel Lanzini – from last season’s squad.
And as Man City push to take another off their hands in the shape of Lucas Paqueta, West Ham’s transfer plans have changed as they target a third central midfield signing.
Meanwhile new Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is also overhauling his midfield.
Since January, Jorginho, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and N’Golo Kante have all left Chelsea.
Now an utterly sensational Chelsea double deal plays right into West Ham’s new transfer plan to sign a third midfielder.
Gobsmacking £165m raid surely makes Chelsea contenders
According to widespread reports, Chelsea are closing in on a gobsmacking £165m double central midfield move for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
Sky Sports claim Chelsea are close to an agreement to meet Southampton’s £50m asking price for Belgian midfield sensation Lavia.
And the outlet’s top transfer reporter Dharmesh Sheth reports Chelsea are actively working to conclude a new British record £115m move for Brighton’s Caicedo.
That will smash West Ham’s record sale of Rice less than a month after it was set. And it will surely make Chelsea serious contenders too.
Moyes Caice-dough: West Ham can benefit from huge Chelsea splurge
But there could be a major pay off for the Hammers.
It has been reported that West Ham could finally agree a deal with Chelsea for Gallagher should they sign Caicedo.
So the fact they could be getting the Colombian AND Lavia makes that particular move even more likely.
With Rice and Lanzini having left, Paqueta likely to join Man City and Downes potentially off to Saints, West Ham will clearly need to sign another central midfielder. And ideally one in the box-to-box mould like Gallagher.
So while Chelsea’s relentless spending may not sit right with some, it could work in West Ham’s favour in what remains of the window.