West Ham transfer could see wonderkid achieve his ‘dream’ as record £17m-plus deal looms

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Is there a single position West Ham United will not be looking to strengthen when the Premier League season comes to a close?

Because, with a source at the London Stadium suggesting to Hammers News that at least five new players could arrive at West Ham in the off-season, it may take a considerable overhaul to rebuild Graham Potter’s crumbling squad.

With Emanuel Emegha, Daizen Maeda and Yuri Alberto linked already, West Ham United are in the market for a centre-forward. Aren’t they always?

The Hammers also look short of both creativity and energy in midfield. Guido Rodriguez is in talks to re-join River Plate while long-standing Borussia Dortmund target Edson Alvarez could move to the Bundesliga.

They appear short of genuine quality at centre-half too, while Alphonse Areola has become a ‘glaring weak spot’ between the sticks despite last week’s Old Trafford heroics.

And then there are the full-back positions.

Nordsjaelland starlet Lucas Hogsberg opens door to West Ham United switch

West Ham confirmed last week that Vladimir Coufal and Aaron Cresswell will both depart when their contracts expire, alongside goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and seldom-seen striker Danny Ings.

An understudy for Aaron Wan-Bissaka may be required on the right. And, on the left, a number of talented left-backs have been mentioned in the media already.

West Ham agreed terms with Kyle Walker-Peters on a £75,000-a-week contract back in April. The versatile Southampton wideman is equally comfortable on either flank.

Antonio Conte’s Napoli favourite Mathias Olivera was mentioned this week too.

West Ham could return to Danish outfit Nordsjaelland, meanwhile, fifteen months after losing out to Brighton for the signature of Ibrahim Osman. The London Stadium outfit reportedly face competition, not from Brighton, but from Tottenham and Crystal Palace this time around with teenage full-back Lucas Hogsberg the prize up for grabs.

Responding to those Premier League links in conversation with Tipsbladet, Denmark Under-19 international Hogsberg admitted that – along with the German Bundesliga – English football could be the best fit for a footballer of his qualities.

“Honestly, I’m open to a lot [of options]. I don’t want to lock myself in,” the 18-year-old said. “I think those are the leagues that suit me best, and hopefully that’s where I can make my mark the most. [Moving to England or Germany] are my dreams.

“With 15 years under my belt in [Nordsjaelland], I have no need to play for other Danish clubs.

“[Those Premier League suitors] are huge destinations. But I haven’t even thought it through yet. Whether it’s now, in six months or in ten years. I think it’s hard to know; ‘This is the right thing’.

“For me, it’s about keeping options open.”

Hogsberg could replace Leicester man as the biggest-ever Danish sale

Despite his youth, Hogsberg has featured in all of Nordsjaelland’s last 18 games in Denmark’s Superliga.

He is extremely comfortable on the ball, excellent when building up from the back, and a solid, brave defender too. And while a right-back by trade, Hogsberg has actually featured more regularly as a centre-half or a left-back this term.

Three players in one, perhaps.

When the conversation turned to the style of play he prefers, Hogsberg admitted that he would prefer to represent a team who dominate the ball. West Ham are no Man City, of course, but their possession figures have risen since Graham Potter replaced Julen Lopetegui in January.

“I would rather not play for a team that doesn’t have the ball. I really want to have the ball,” Hogsberg adds. “That’s the way we play in North Zealand [where Nordsjaelland are based].

“If I’m going to find something at some point, I want to have the ball and play out from the back.”

Nordsjaelland director Phil Radley recently suggested that he expects Hogsberg to become the most expensive ever Superliga export.

After turning down a bid from Serie A outfit Como in January, West Ham may therefore have to part with more than the £17 million Leicester City paid to sign Viktor Kristensen from Copenhagen.