West Ham have received the all clear to push ahead with a move for Charlie Cresswell and the sale of Konstantinos Mavropanos could pay for it.
Any signing would do for Graham Potter at West Ham right now.
After promising fans an “exciting and interesting” summer transfer window, it has been anything but so far for the Hammers.
Despite needing a major rebuild, West Ham are yet to make a single major addition.
To make matters worse, Mohammed Kudus has been sold for just £54.5m to bitter rivals Spurs.
The only positive to take from that particular deal is that West Ham now have money to spend.
The Hammers issued a big transfer statement in the wake of the Kudus deal.
Potter eyes new centre-back in rebuild
Potter wants to sign a striker, two midfielders, a goalkeeper, a left-back and a new centre-back.
West Ham want to make further sales to raise more funds for the manager.
The likes of Nayef Aguerd, Emerson Palmieri, Guido Rodriguez, Edson Alvarez and Konstantinos Mavropanos are very much up for sale.
Centre-backs Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Yann Bisseck, Óscar Mingueza and Arnau Martínez have all been linked with moves to West Ham.
But last week one link excited Hammers fans more than most.
West Ham launched a move for England Under 21s star Charlie Cresswell, formerly of Leeds and – whisper it quietly – Millwall, albeit only for a loan spell.
Cresswell is over in France with Toulouse and The West Ham Way claimed there was a ‘real possibility’ the Hammers could move for the star described as a ‘warrior’.
Fans have been excited by footage shared online of Cresswell’s bravery and aerial prowess on social media.
There is even a video which shows Cresswell continuously heading a boxing speed ball as part of his training.
The 22-year-old starred for England as they won the Under 21 Euros this summer.
West Ham had been concerned Sunderland could beat them to Cresswell while they waited to bring the Kudus money in.
West Ham get all clear on Cresswell and Mavropanos could pay
But now West Ham have got the all clear on a move for Cresswell and Mavropanos could pay for it.
On paper Mavropanos has all the attributes to be a standout Premier League centre-back.
Big, powerful, quick, good in the air and comfortable on the ball, the Greek defender has so much going for him.
However, the former Arsenal man, who turns 28 next season, has failed to establish himself since a £17.5m move from Stuttgart.
Mavropanos’ problem is decision-making and consistency.
He can be the best player on the pitch for 80 minutes but fans feel he always has a costly mistake in him.
Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio claims Roma are in talks with the Hammers about a deal for Mavropanos.
‘Cresswell will be sold with talks soon’ says Romano
Italian sides like to try for loans with options or obligations. But West Ham need cash for the here and now. Just ask Potter.
Only a permanent cash deal will do with West Ham looking to raise at least £10-13m from the sale.
And that could go straight to paying for that man Cresswell.
Because Di Marzio’s compatriot Fabrizio Romano has made a seriously exciting new Cresswell claim.
And it is just what West Ham want to hear.
Romano doesn’t mention the Hammers by name, but he has confirmed Cresswell will be sold by Toulouse this summer window with Premier League clubs already making their moves.
“Charlie Cresswell can leave Toulouse this summer as Premier League and Serie A clubs have started moving,” Romano said about the reported Hammers target.
“Talks to follow for 22 year old defender after his recent performances.”
Hammers fans will be desperately hoping their club is one of those about to hold talks for Cresswell.
Other live West Ham targets reportedly include left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, midfielders Raphael Onyedika and James McAtee, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and a striker – with the top target said to be Nice’s Evann Guessand.
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