West Ham are plotting a triple swoop that will make the Championship title a walkover but Everton could be the party poopers.
The Hammers will soon start reshaping Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad as they pursue their stated aim of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Nuno and new majority owner Daniel Kretinsky have both put on record that West Ham expect automatic promotion as a minimum next season.
West Ham face a tough test from the very start of that attempt with a run of difficult fixtures – on paper at least – to begin their first campaign outside the top flight for 14 years.
West Ham plotting triple swoop but Everton a worry
The Irons are vowing to keep as many of their top players as possible to help the club bounce back immediately.
But it is clear that quality signings will be needed too.
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Turf Moor is a tough start…
And the east Londoners aren’t messing around when it comes to the players they are targeting.
West Ham are plotting a triple swoop that will make the Championship title a walkover but Everton are a worry.
Hammers News understands Nuno has communicated his top targets in his three priority positions to Kretinsky and co.
The Czech billionaire has already stated in an interview that he will back the manager with funds to get back to the top flight.
So West Ham fully intend to try their best to land Nuno’s primary targets at centre-back, central midfield and in the attacking wide area.
Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville will be sold for big money and the Hammers are desperate to offload Jean-Clair Todibo while Axel Disasi has left after the expiration of his loan.
Nuno wants Fry, Hackney and Fatawu at West Ham
At centre-back West Ham are pushing to sign Middlesbrough’s Dael Fry, who is out of contract at the end of the month.
There appears to have been some confusion among Hammers fans that Fry is an up-and-coming talent. But the central defender is 28.
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Hammers News has been told West Ham are the most serious contenders to sign Fry on a free but were warned he remains in talks with ‘Boro over a new deal too.
West Ham also want to raid Championship promotion rivals ‘Boro for Hayden Hackney.
The central midfielder, who has been compared to Declan Rice in some aspects of his game, is out of contract next summer and intimated he will not sign a new deal.
So ‘Boro could look to cash in this summer.
West Ham are willing to offer between £10-15m to get Nuno’s key target.
But Hammers News understands Everton are a big problem. David Moyes fancied Hackney while he was at West Ham so their interest tallies.
The Toffees have already seen a £10m bid knocked back and are believed to be willing to increase that offer.
A move to the Premier League would obviously appeal to Hackney so the Hammers have a big task on their hands to lure him to east London.
Tomas Soucek’s injury, which could see him miss the first two months of the new season, could see West Ham push the boat out for Hackney to a price Everton are unwilling to match.
Ghana star Abdul Fatawu, who has been likened to former Hammer Mohammed Kudus, has also been confirmed as a top target for Nuno.
Fatawu can play on either wing and is seen as a potential replacement for Summerville.
Attracting him to the London Stadium will be easy after Leicester’s relegation to League One.
But his performances for Ghana at the World Cup may have Prem clubs sniffing around the 22-year-old.
Reports West Ham have bid £15m for Fatawu are not true but Kretinsky does fully intend to make an offer to ensure a deal gets done if the player is open to the move.
If the Hammers do keep key stars like captain Jarrod Bowen, Soucek, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Taty Castellanos and add the likes of Fry, Hackney and Fatawu then the Championship title should be a piece of cake for Nuno.
And West Ham should play some exciting football along the way too.
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