West Ham are increasingly ‘optimistic’ after making major progress on deals for Mads Hermansen and Zion Suzuki, and now a goalkeeper targeted by Manchester United has been offered to the club too.
- Hammers News exclusive
As the Hammers and Manchester United step up their search for long-term competition and depth between the posts, things are moving fast behind the scenes.
It is no secret that West Ham are stepping up their pursuit of a new goalkeeper.
Man United are on the hunt for a new number one too with doubts over Andre Onana.
The Red Devils have been linked with Italy star Gianluigi Donnarumma amid a contract impasse at PSG.
Bringing in a new stopper has become a necessity for the Hammers in light of Alphonse Areola’s struggles, which have been evident in pre-season too.
West Ham and Man United eyeing new number one
West Ham have been planning to sign a goalkeeper since Graham Potter decided to release Lukasz Fabianski.
The likes of Caoimhin Kelleher, Djorde Petrovic and Aaron Ramsdale were all linked but the first two moved to Brentford and Bournemouth respectively while the latter looks set to join Newcastle.
Leicester’s Mads Hermansen and Parma’s Zion Suzuki have emerged as West Ham’s prime targets.
Both Hermansen and Suzuki have also been linked with Manchester United this summer.
Speaking to Tipsbladet, former Denmark international Peter Kjaer argued that West Ham would be a more suitable destination than Old Trafford for Manchester United-linked Hermansen.
Back on Monday, West Ham revealed they are pushing to sign a new goalkeeper this week.
Now it appears the Hammers are making real progress in doing just that.
And West Ham are ‘optimistic’ on Hermansen and Suzuki as another Man United target is offered too.
Hammers News revealed Hermansen was a key West Ham target when reporting on the expected appointment of new head of goalkeeping Casper Ankergren back in June.
Hermansen was a protege of Ankergren at Brondby before he moved to Leicester.
US-born Japan international Suzuki has been on West Ham’s radar this summer as well.
The Hammers have been given plenty of encouragement that deals are there to be done for Hermansen and Suzuki in recent weeks.
Not least because talk of Man United’s interest has quietened with it now emerging they are looking at Donnarumma instead.
Leicester, who see their 25-year-old Polish star Jakub Stolarczyk as Hermansen’s natural successor, have signed the experienced Asmir Begovic, paving the way for their Danish number one to leave.
Hermansen was also left out of the Foxes’ recent pre-season friendly squad.
West Ham ‘optimistic’ on Hermansen and Suzuki
Suzuki has also been missing from Parma training with no injury listed or reason given.
Hammers News understands West Ham have got Parma seriously considering their offer for Suzuki, who stated he believes he can be the ‘strongest goalkeeper in the world’ when he was being linked with Man United.
In fact, the Italian side are giving such serious consideration to West Ham’s approach that Suzuki was kept out of their squad for a pre-season friendly against Mallorca.
Now Hammers News can exclusively reveal a Manchester United target has also been offered to West Ham as another goalkeeper option.
Football correspondent Graeme Bailey has doubled down on claims from journalist Ben Jacobs that West Ham are increasingly confident of signing Hermansen.
Speaking exclusively to Hammers News, Bailey revealed the key behind Hermansen being the prime candidate.
“I’m hearing West Ham are pushing ahead with Mads Hermansen,” Bailey said.
“Seems footwork was the key attribute.”
Jacobs believes the Hammers are confident of landing Hermansen for a lower fee than Leicester originally hoped for.
“I think West Ham are quite optimistic,” Jacobs said on talkSPORT.
“And the reason for that is Leicester have brought in Asmir Begovic. There is only a couple of assets who Leicester can sell for big money to help them. They need to strengthen in attack because Jamie Vardy has gone, so they maybe have to sacrifice one big name.
“Leicester, a year ago, valued [Hermansen] at £35 million. From my understanding, West Ham are thinking more around the £20 – £25 million mark. Still a lot of money for a goalkeeper, and maybe enough to turn the heads of the Leicester hierarchy. Expect West Ham to keep pushing, talks are ongoing, and I think there is some optimism from Graham Potter and the recruitment team that they might get this one over the line.”
Man United target Victor offered to West Ham by top agent
While Hermansen is fast emerging as West Ham’s most likely goalkeeper signing, Hammers News has been informed that a player Ruben Amorim really likes has been offered to the east Londoners by a prominent agent.
John Victor of Botafogo has been linked with a move to Old Trafford since his standout performances at the Club World Cup off the back of an impressive Brazilian domestic season.
The 29-year-old is considered to be one of the most in-form goalkeepers in South America, making him a serious candidate to move to a European club this summer.
Hammers News understands that super agent Willie McKay has been pushing Victor to West Ham after he was linked with Man United.
It was also revealed that Victor would have cost West Ham half the price.
But it seems Hermansen’s age and superior ability with the ball at his feet has been the decisive factor for Potter.
Not to mention the push from Ankergren to bring Hermansen to the London Stadium.
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