West Ham are pushing to sign two top stars in a double deal that could change everything for Graham Potter and his struggling Hammers side.
A top West Ham insider claimed the club’s board are concerned by a lack of progress on targets identified by Graham Potter and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay.
Sean Whetstone said West Ham’s owners are frustrated with the transfer situation and will now ‘personally get stuck in to ensure signings get over the line’ in the last seven days of the window.
West Ham’s much-needed summer rebuild has been a complete flop.
The Hammers have signed just four players so far with nine departing and at least two more – Guido Rodriguez and Emerson Palmieri – are set to leave in the coming days.
West Ham’s summer transfer window reaches tipping point
Speculation is rife Lucas Paqueta could be sold too.
West Ham’s owners confirmed Spurs, Villa and two Saudi clubs are in for Lucas Paqueta.
The Hammers’ hierarchy offered no guarantees Paqueta won’t be sold if his valuation is met and no assurances he would be replaced either.
It paints a worrying picture of the season ahead as the first international break looms.
But there could be some new hope.
West Ham’s board have denied claims Potter is on the verge of the sack.
And it seems that is not the only backing the club are giving the head coach.
Because West Ham are now pushing for two top stars in a double deal that could change everything.
There is no hiding the fact West Ham’s summer transfer window has been a mess.
But it seems the club’s worst ever start to a Premier League season has put the frighteners on with the board stepping up efforts to deliver a much-needed breakthrough in the transfer market.
West Ham push for double deal that could change everything
Doom and gloom has enveloped the London Stadium once again.
Anger has turned to apathy already after Potter’s poor half-a-season in charge last term.
The Hammers need fresh blood and fast.
Now there seems to be some positive news on the transfer front. Or positive intentions at least.
The Athletic journalist Dermot Corrigan has confirmed Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes remains West Ham’s prime target this week.
Hammers News revealed last week that West Ham held fresh talks with Saints over the Portuguese midfielder.
The result of those talks, Hammers News understands, is that Southampton will ultimately accept £40m for Mateus Fernandes and West Ham will be willing to go up to that amount late in the window if they have no other option.
It was telling that Southampton eventually sold Tyler Dibling to Everton for around £42m – some £20-28m less than it was stated they wanted at the start of the window.
As well as a clear and obvious lack of athleticism in the middle of the park, West Ham are also desperate for craft and guile.
Now a top German journalist claims a move is afoot for the Hammers to solve that problem too.
Hammers aiming to sign Fernandes and Schmid
Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claims West Ham are now exploring a deal to sign Romano Schmid before deadline day.
Plettenberg says talks are ongoing and Lille are among potential rival suitors.
Werder Bremen’s Austrian playmaker is not a new name in the West Ham frame.
The Hammers were linked with Romano Schmid back in July after a decent season with Werder, where he scored five goals and laid on five assists.
The 25-year-old is extremely versatile.
He can play as a 10, a second striker, off the left, right and through the centre.
If West Ham can pull off deals for Fernandes and Schmid, maybe – just maybe – there is hope yet for Potter and the season ahead.
But there is no doubt a failure to make top new additions could condemn the Irons to the Championship come what May.
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