Some much-needed progress arrived this month at West Ham United with Kyle Walker-Peters and El Hadji Malick Diouf the first new faces to join Graham Potter’s Premier League ranks.
After waiting six weeks for one signing, the Hammers sealed two in the space of just five days.
It is no coincidence that West Ham United finalised the £19 million addition of El Hadji Malick Diouf almost immediately after Daniel Sullivan accepted Tottenham’s £54.5 million Mohammed Kudus bid in mid-July.
West Ham always needed one big sale before they could start rebuilding Potter’s squad.
But despite the subsequent arrival of Kyle Walker-Peters on a free transfer – ex-Newcastle striker Callum Wilson should join too on a low-cost, heavily-incentivised contract – it appears that patience will be required once again if West Ham are to follow up that Diouf deal with any more eye-catching, big-money signings before September 1st.
According to the Daily Mail, more sales will be required. Hence why a potential £40 million arrangement for Liverpool benchwarmer Harvey Elliott is yet to progress.
West Ham United hit Harvey Elliott roadblock with Liverpool
It is no secret that Harvey Elliott wants to leave Liverpool next month in pursuit of more regular game time.
After starting only two Premier League games under Arne Slot in 2024/25, the man who inspired England to U21 European Championship glory a few weeks back obviously feels that a fresh start is required at a crucial juncture in his young career.
‘Never say never’ was West Ham’s response, meanwhile, when Hammers News enquired about the state of play regarding Elliott recently.
“It’s a tough market this summer,” a spokesman for the club’s owners explained, after Stuart Pearce urged West Ham to land the Liverpool schemer. “With Elliott there is a chance. It is only a small chance, but never say never.”
The Daily Mail’s own source, however, describes a potential double-deal for Liverpool duo Elliott and Tyler Morton as ‘sadly a long way off’.
While West Ham ‘would love’ to sign both, the £54.5 million banked when Kudus left for Tottenham is not enough on its own. The Mail add that more sales are required before Graham Potter and Kyle Macaulay can realistically dream of landing some of their more ambitious, high-cost transfer targets.
Mateus Fernandes of Southampton reportedly finds himself in the same boat.
Southampton stand firm on Mateus Fernandes as Tyler Morton nears Lyon
The Saints have allegedly laughed off claims that Portugal playmaker Fernandes could leave for £30 million, holding out for a lot more amid reported interest from Atletico Madrid and Juventus.
A dynamic, ball-carrying midfielder who excels when driving through the thirds, former Sporting Lisbon starlet Matheus Fernandes does feel like the sort of athletic profile this West Ham team is crying out for.
Ditto Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the Chelsea misfit also liked by the 2023 Europa Conference League champions.
The aforementioned Tyler Morton is another who fits the bill. L’Equipe report that Liverpool would be willing to accept just shy of £8 million, with the former Blackburn Rovers and Hull City loanee entering the final 12 months of his deal.
However, Morton has reportedly now agreed terms with embattled French giants Lyon as talks progress.
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