West Ham are facing a huge summer transfer window but it has got off to a very slow start – made worse by a brand new blow that leaves the club red-faced.
Graham Potter promised West Ham fans an “exciting and interesting summer” before heading off on holiday after the season finale at Ipswich.
The jury is still very much out on Potter at West Ham.
And the Hammers boss was criticised by some fans for taking a holiday given he only recently returned to football after a two-year break and with the club facing one of its most crucial windows for years.
It seems staying at home would have done little to help, though.
Because West Ham are continuing to insist they can’t sign players until sales are made.
West Ham need fast start to crucial summer window
There have been none thus far, though, meaning Potter’s hands are tied over his much-needed overhaul.
West Ham fans are angry at the financial situation.
To make matters worse rival clubs are already getting busy and making signings.
The first mini summer transfer window closed for six days but the reality is clubs have continued to negotiate deals in the background – as was always going to be the case.
An extended full summer window officially opens on Monday, running until the start of September.
But pre-season training gets underway in around two-and-a-half weeks.
And with so many players needing to be shipped out and brought in, Potter faces not having a full pre-season with his own players in the building.
After 18 months of struggle – which has seen the Hammers win just 15 of their last 57 Premier League games – drastic improvement is needed next season.
Earlier this week AC Milan branded West Ham ‘useless’ after they made a late bid to try and hijack midfielder Yunus Musah’s move to Napoli.
Now West Ham have been left red-faced again after their desperate actions to try and persuade a star to sign.
That’s according to RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins.
In light of the financial situation, West Ham have been trying to sign free agent CJ Egan-Riley.
West Ham red-faced after desperate actions to persuade star
The brilliant young defender was one of the stars of Burnley’s promotion campaign.
When it became clear Egan-Riley would not be signing a new deal at Turf Moor, West Ham made their move.
At the start of the month Potter was given encouragement West Ham were closing on signing Egan-Riley, who came through the ranks at Man City.
But there was a crushing double blow earlier this week when Burnley announced Egan-Riley would be leaving for France.
Hammers News reported Egan-Riley was joining Marseille, likely ending their interest in Nayef Aguerd at the same time.
West Ham failed with ‘last minute’ push to sign Egan-Riley
But despite Burnley publicly announcing Egan-Riley was moving to France – meaning a deal was clearly done – West Ham still tried to push for the defender again.
Hawkins claims the 22-year-old has now completed a medical and signed a four-year contract at Marseille.
And he states it came after a “last-minute attempt from West Ham” who made another offer to the player in a bid to try and change his mind.
Hawkins says Egan-Riley made it clear to West Ham that he was only interested in moving to Marseille after being won over by Roberto De Zerbi.
On one hand you could praise West Ham for doing as much as they possibly could to try and sign Egan-Riley.
Another futile late move from West Ham risks ‘we tried’ cynicism
But it had already been announced by Burnley he was moving to France.
So it was a futile exercise and the result – being snubbed yet again – is not a good look for the club as they try to attract players.
Perhaps West Ham really believed they could still turn Egan-Riley’s head. But cynics would say it was merely so the board could turn around and say ‘we tried’.
All it has served to do is show De Zerbi has more pull than Potter – although it should also be noted Marseille do have Champions League football next season.
The Hammers need to revisit their recruitment strategy because on the evidence so far, it’s not going to bear much fruit this summer.
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