These are not waters in which West Ham United ever wanted to swim, but Nuno Espirito Santo’s side now feel like sharks amid the Championship minnows.
It remains to be seen how much the Hammers will have to spend this summer.
The inevitable sale of Mateus Fernandes should add around £80 million to the coffers. Hammers News reported on Monday that Fernandes is still intent on joining Manchester United despite Tottenham’s best efforts, though this could change at any moment.
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Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky is injecting a further £90 million while increasing his share to 43 per cent and simultaneously easing the club’s FFP concerns.
West Ham United, then, should have few problems outbidding most of their second-tier rivals if push comes to shove.
West Ham United lead Middlesbrough in Josh Mulligan battle
Take Josh Mulligan, for instance. West Ham are reportedly keen on the Hibernian midfielder, per Ben Jacobs.
They are not alone. The Daily Mail say that Southampton are also keen. According to the Teesside Gazette, Middlesbrough discussed a move for the 23-year-old former Dundee dynamo earlier in the summer, too.
However, as West Ham throw their hat into the ring, there is an acceptance at the Riverside that Boro can no longer compete. The Teesside Gazette add that last season’s beaten play-off finalists have accepted that Mulligan will have ‘far more lucrative options on the table’.
That may also apply to Southampton, especially if Shea Charles is sold for big money. Leeds have reportedly seen a £20 million bid rejected.
Mulligan’s price-tag has not yet been confirmed.
Hibernian are hoping to get more than Aston Villa paid for John McGinn back in 2018, though. The Europa League winner moved to Villa Park for a bargain £3.25 million.
Hibs found their new John McGinn in Mulligan
Mulligan has been likened to McGinn in his Easter Road days, his remarkable energy reserves and ceaseless intensity making the Scotland Under-21 international a hugely popular figure on the green side of Edinburgh.
Mulligan scored three times and provided five assists in 33 games last season. While a box-to-box midfielder these days, he was a rampaging right-sided wideman in his days at Dundee.
“He brought his game to a new level,” said Hibs teammate Martin Boyle after Mulligan produced an ‘unbelievable’ display in December’s 3-0 victory over Falkirk.
“He took the game by the scruff of the neck. He keeps driving at people. I think he got about four people booked! He’s another player with those John McGinn vibes; head down, runs through people.
“It’s great to see.”
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Middlesbrough appear to have decided against going into battle with West Ham in the knowledge that they cannot compete with the funds available to Nuno in East London.
West Ham could yet frustrate Middlesbrough again by snapping up their long-serving centre-half Dael Fry. His contract expires next week with no sign of an extension. According to ExWhuEmployee, the Hammers have held talks with Fry; a veteran of over 250 Championship appearances.
Riverside head of football Kieran Scott has admirers in the capital too. West Ham may yet turn to him if their pursuit of Steve Nickson – the departing Newcastle chief – comes to nothing.
Still, as much as a season in the second tier is not what anyone wanted, it is refreshing to see West Ham taking on the role of ‘big dogs’ in a competitive market.
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