West Ham have issued a 10-word transfer update that’s as exciting as it is frustrating as the club chases five more signings.
This weekend marks four weeks until West Ham welcome Aston Villa to the London Stadium in their opening game of the new Premier League season.
It is the start of what the Hammers hope will be a bright new era under new head coach Julen Lopetegui.
And West Ham’s plan is to have plenty of new players in the door to help make that a reality.
While the new season is four weeks away, the transfer window closes in six.
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Max Kilman became West Ham’s third signing of the summer when he arrived in a £40m deal from Wolves nearly two weeks ago.
Now technical director Tim Steidten and the owners are looking to make another five signings to complete Lopetegui’s squad.
That works out at an average of nearly a signing per week.
So the pressure is on Steidten and co with several key positions yet to be addressed.
West Ham want to sign a striker, another centre-back, a versatile full-back, a central midfielder and a left-sided attacker.
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After getting Luis Guilherme, Wes Foderingham and Kilman in the door relatively early, West Ham’s business has slowed.
Given the number of signings needed, that has prompted concern among some Hammers fans. It has even seen criticism of Steidten in some quarters.
A host of players have been linked in the various positions the club wants to strengthen.
Some are joining other clubs or making it clear they want to move elsewhere. Others look like deals waiting to be done only for West Ham to be reluctant to meet asking prices.
Indeed the club confirmed to Hammers News recently that the West Ham board will not meet Villa’s £35m demands for Jhon Duran.
Lots of talk but fans want more action
There have been reports of bids or enquiries for the likes of Jean-Clair Todibo, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Reiss Nelson, Kyle Walker-Peters, Alexander Sorloth, Oumar Solet, Scot McTominay, Duran and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
But fans are seeing a lot of talk and perhaps less action than they had expected at this stage.
Especially with the Hammers heading out to Florida for their pre-season tour of the US next week.
Hammers News has reached out to the top spokesman inside the club for an update given all the claims and counter claims doing the rounds.
And West Ham have issued a 10-word transfer update that’s as exciting as it is frustrating.
West Ham’s 10-word transfer update exciting and frustrating
The key senior London Stadium contact was asked whether there was anything in speculation Todibo could still be on the cards or the fresh talk about Villa lowering Duran price.
Hammers News’ board source was also asked whether there was any truth to claims the Hammers are edging close to signing Wan-Bissaka from Man United, or indeed any progress on the transfer front full stop.
The response is encouraging but fans should not get their hopes up of anything being announced imminently.
“There’s a lot happening,” the West Ham spokesman told Hammers News.
“But nothing near at the moment.”
Other Premier League clubs seem to be really kicking into gear for transfers now.
That was to be expected after the conclusion of the Euros and Copa America.
It could be West Ham are seeing how difficult it is to sign a certain calibre of player without the European football they’ve become accustomed to in east London over the last three years.
Sales are also key.
The Hammers must raise funds through the sale of the likes of Nayef Aguerd, Kurt Zouma and Danny Ings.
But offloading high-earning players who have not quite worked out or have seen better days is easier said than done.
Patience will be key in the coming days and weeks it seems.
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