West Ham technical director Tim Steidten has been busy this summer but has he saved some energy for a manic deadline day?
It is fair to say Tim Steidten has already seen it all in his first year as West Ham’s technical director.
The highs of some superb signings such as Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez last year followed by the raft of quality arrivals this summer.
The lows of seeing his transfer picks snubbed by David Moyes – West Ham could have signed Youssouf Fofana last summer for £5m less than the club paid for James Ward-Prowse for example.
And who can forget being banned from mixing with the first team by Moyes as his Hammers tenure came to an end.
Steidten spoke of his ‘euphoria’ at having full control at West Ham following the departure of Moyes.
But the price on the ticket is that brought the spotlight solely on him.
After initial deals for Luis Guilherme, Wes Foderingham and Max Kilman, West Ham had a lull in getting deals over the line as part of the major rebuild for Julen Lopetegui.
West Ham fans are fiercely loyal, dedicated and for the most part a knowledgeable bunch.
But Steidten saw just how demanding they can be too as some started to voice concerns and doubts about him during that transfer lull.
Steidten has seen it all in first year at West Ham
At one stage there was even a ludicrous claim that Steidten could be sacked if any more West Ham deals collapsed. That was given the short shrift it deserved by the the club when speaking to Hammers News, though.
Steidten answered the doubters in emphatic style with his actions and his words.
Another five signings arrived in the shape of Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug, Guido Rodriguez, Jean-Clair Todibo and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Stunning business by anyone’s standards, let alone West Ham.
After pulling off those deals with stereotypical German efficiency – and in the same cool, calm calculated manner he does business – Steidten reminded West Ham that he knows what he is doing.
It is already a 10/10 window for West Ham. And arguably their best ever.
But speculation has been rife the club would dearly love to add Carlos Soler and Jhon Duran as the cherry on the icing of their transfer window cake.
So what is Steidten up to ahead of the window closing?
Lopetegui delivers reassuring update on Steidten plans
West Ham boss Lopetegui has delivered a reassuring update on Steidten’s plans.
As has been the case since making Wan-Bissaka their eighth signing, departures are essential to any arrivals before Friday’s 11pm deadline.
The nature of deadline day is that it has created a lust among fans for signings.
In truth the top clubs would have their business done and dusted before then.
And the Hammers have certainly done the bulk of theirs.
There will undoubtedly be disappointment among some if a Duran or Soler do not come in.
Speaking in his latest press conference Lopetegui has insisted his focus is on facing ‘one of the best teams in history’ in the shape of Man City.
Understandably so given the task at hand and the fact the game kicks off less than 18 hours after the window shuts.
But Lopetegui says Steidten has everything under control.
The Spaniard made it clear there may still be comings and goings, saying ‘anything can happen’.
But he insists that whatever happens he fully trusts Steidten to provide the best possible West Ham squad for him.
‘Tim and the club are working’
“It’s a crazy thing that you have to be competing (on the pitch) while the market is open,” Lopetegui said, as reported on the club’s website.
“But all of us know it and nobody is able to do anything about it and we have to adapt.
“It’s true that the market is open and anything can happen in all the teams, but my focus as a coach is to be ready to face one of the best teams in the history of football.
“It is an important aim to put my energy in these things and for the rest of the things Tim and the club are working all the summer very hard and for sure they are going to take the best decisions to make sure we have the best squad possible to face this important season.”
Whether there are a few more decisions to be made in the next 24 hours remains to be seen.
And Hammers fans don’t have to wait long to find out.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
