West Ham Online

May as well get going with this since with Sullivan at the helm, season ticket renewals slow, and the football vacuum to commence, this will soon be all the "news" there is.

Can Potter and MacCauley pull multiple rabbits out of the hat, or will Sullivan 'try really hard' with all of them before grabbing a few aging bargains from Big Willie Salthouse?

Window this close season comes in two parts:

Part 1: 1st June to 10th June
Part 2: 16th June to 1st September

Rumoured Outs...most of the squad

Let the "Rumoured In's" commence. 

------------------------------------------------------------

Player | Position | Club | Fee (GBP)

Rumoured In

1. Daniel Cummings | ST | Celtic
2. Koni De Winter | CB | Genoa
3. Morten Frendrup | DM | Genoa
4. Richard Kone | ST | Wycombe
5. Aaron Ramsdale | GK | Southampton
6. Caiomin Kelleher | GK | Liverpool
7. James Trafford | GK | Burnley
8. Kyle Walker-Peters | FB | Free Agent
9. Taylor Harwood-Bellis | CB | Southampton
10. CJ Egan-Riley | CB | Free Agent
11. Josh Brownhill | CM | Free Agent
12. Albian Hajdari | CB | Lugano
13. Lucas Høgsberg | CB | FC Nordsjælland
14. Ardon Jashari | CM | Brugge
15. Raphael Onyedika | CM | Brugge
16. James McAtee | AM | Man City
17. Mario Struykens | AM | Anderlecht
18. Mathias Kvistgaarden | ST | Brondby
19. Clement Bischoff | LB | Brondby
20. Mika Biereth | FW | Monaco
21. Barış Alper Yılmaz | AM | Galatasaray
22. Evann Guessand | ST | Nice
23. Lucas Stassin | ST | Saint Etienne
24. Marcus Taverner | FW | Bournemouth
25. Soungoutoo Magassa | CDM | Monaco
26. Valentin Atangana | CM | Stade Reims
27. Mads Hermansen | GK | Leicester City
28. Hamza Igamane | ST | Rangers
29. Yeremay | FW | Deportivo La Coruna
30. Adama Bojang | ST | Reims
31. Rocco Reitz | MF | Borussia Moenchengladbach
32. Dominic Calvert-Lewin | ST | Free Agent
33. El Hadji Malick Diouf | LB | SK Slavia Prague
34. Oscar Mingueza | RB/MF | Celta Vigo
35. Tyler Morton | CM | Liverpool
36. Harvey Elliott | AM | Liverpool
37. Zion Suzuki | GK | Parma
38. John Victor | GK | Botofogo 
39. Jacob Ramsey | MF | Villa
40. Mateus Fernandes | CM | Southampton
41. Nga Makou | CM | Lille
42. Quinten Timber | CM
43. Hayden Hackney | CM | Boro
44. Yves Bissouma | CM | Spurs

Rumoured Out

1. Nayef Aguerd | CB | Leverkusen, Marseile
2. Maxel Cornet | FW | Genoa/Others
3. Guido Rodriguez | DM | Betis/Espanyol
4. Tomas Soucek | CM | Everton
5. Michail Antonio | ST | Free Agent
6. Mo Kudus | FW | Chelsea/Newcastle/Arsenal
7. Lucas Paqueta | AM | Man City
8. Andy Irving | CM | Celtic/Wrexham
9. Emerson | LB | Marseille

Confirmed In

1. Jean Clair Todibo | CB | Loan To Perm (32m)
2. Daniel Cummings | ST | Celtic (Free Agent...Tribunal)
3. El Hadji Malick Diouf | LWB | Slavia Prahia | 20m
4. Kyle Walker-Peters | RWB | Free Agent
5. C****m Wilson | ST | Free Agent
6. Mads Hermansen | GK | Leicester (18m)
7. Mateus Fernandes | CM | Southampton (38m + 4m)
8. Soungoutoo Magassa | CDM | Monaco (17m)
9. Igor Julio | CB | Brighton (Loan)

Confirmed Out

1. Aaron Cresswell | LB | Free Agent | 0m
2. Danny Ings | ST | Free Agent | 0m
3. Vladimir Coufal | RB | Free Agent | 0m
4. Lukusz Fabianski | GK | Free Agent | 0m
5. Kamari Swyer | AM | Free Agent | 0m
6. Kurt Zouma | CB | Free Agent | 0m
7. Carlos Soler | CM | PSG | End of Loan
8. Evan Ferguson | ST | Brighton | End of Loan
9. Brad Dolaghan | Released
10. Dondre Abraham | Released
11. Mehmet Halim | Released
12. Muhammed Judus |stroppy| sp*rs| £55m
13. Michail Antonio | Released
14. Kieran Casey | Swansea | Loan
15. Edson Alvarez | Fenerbache | Loan with Option
16. Emerson | Marseille | £1m
17. Aguerd | Marseille | £20m
18. Max Cornet | Genoa | Loan

One of the benefits of getting Championship players in is that if they don't work out then it's much easier to offload them, eg Downes. When we buy from bigger clubs we tend to either sell at a big loss or can't get rid at all because their wages are too high.

Sport Witness

West Ham in negotiations to sign player on free transfer – He ‘wouldn’t turn down’ Hammers

By Naveen Ullal

AS Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini could end up at West Ham United this summer, according to a report from Italy.

The attacking midfielder managed 10 goals and five assists from 41 games during the 2023/24 season but wasn’t able to replicate that form last season. To put it in context, he scored three goals and registered three assists from 34 games.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are determined to get rid of the 29-year-old, who could move to West Ham

That’s at least RomaNews.eu are reporting, and they state Roma are in negotiations with the Hammers for the Italy international.

He’s in his final year of contract which includes a salary of €7m gross per year. The report explains the Serie A side can let him leave on a free transfer in this window, in order to get rid of Pellegrini’s hefty salary.

It’s claimed the player ‘wouldn’t turn down’ the move to West Ham if he receives a three-year contract with the same salary. Should he leave, Roma can save on his wages and use it to sign two to three new players.

Pellegrini can also operate in the middle of the pitch. The report states his arrival at West Ham will depend on Guido Rodríguez leaving Graham Potter’s side.

RomaNews.eu claims Pellegrin is ‘heading to West Ham’ should the Argentine join another club. This claim hasn’t been backed up or dismissed by others in Italy.

I mean championship players that would be deemed somewhat of a gamble. Fabianski wasn’t really a gamble. Was always going to be good. But Bowen cresswell and Antonio had barely touched foot in the Prem and none were proven at the level. 

id like to see gamble on a player like Hackney. 

We've signed 4 players this summer 2 from the championship... 

The clubs best servants in recent years have come from championship.

Likes of cresswell, Antonio, Bowen. Have we signed better players from the prem or abroad in last 10 years that represented better value? 

Fabianski came from relegated Swansea and was fantastic for us. 

Benrahma was a mixed bag but he justified his price tag in the end.  

anyway we tend to do better there than any other league.

Not sure why we have moved away from championship players. We’ve missed out on some class players in recent years. 

Eerie Decent" wrote: ↑10 Aug 2025, 09:57

goose wrote: ↑10 Aug 2025, 08:39 The #17 of Lille yesterday would transform our midfield.

They bought him for £4mil a year ago.That Jashari was singed for £5mil a year ago.

There are fucking loads of these gems out there, why can't we identify them, rather than battling it out to sign them for £30mil a year later?

It's not pretty easy to work out at all. You said we shouldn't sign Fernandes, because in the couple of games you've seen, he hasn't impressed you, even though he impressed Sothampton fans who watch him every week enough to win their POTY in the PREMIER LEAGUE whilst at the age of 20, their standout player in a shit season. He cost them about £20mil from Sporting last summer.

You stated we shouldn't be signing players who are top level Champ / lower end Prem standard footballers, and then went on to say we should sign a player who has only ever been at the upper mid table of the Championship, at the age of 23. And come on, if those clubs wanted him enough, one would have signed him by now, only Ispwich have officially bid for him.

The above is just your opinion, which is fine, but you've made an absolute pigs ear of explaining why, completely contradicting yourself.

Personally, I'd be happy with either player given they both seem to be high energy players. I don't know enough about them other than clips (although I did watch Fernandes a couple of times and thought he was very good). Both seem to be rated by their own fans, which is always a good sign.

Don’t really know Hayden Hackney but have heard good reports
Saw last week he was going to Ipswich but see now he has turned down the move
Maybe waiting for an offer from somewhere near Hackney?

Eerie Decent" wrote: ↑10 Aug 2025, 08:21 Fernandes was Southampton POTY last season, I know they were shit, but bit harsh to say he didn't perform. 21 years old and being the best player at the club in the Prem, by a distance is a good effort. Their fans rave about him.

You've said we shouldn't be buying top half of Champ / lower half of Prem standard players, then said Hackney is the one we should be getting, a lad who's never played in the Prem.

Work that one out!



 

 

goose wrote: ↑10 Aug 2025, 08:39 The #17 of Lille yesterday would transform our midfield.

Yeah Goose, his energy, running into space, ability to carry the ball forward. Very impressive.  Oh to have a player like that. Been a while since Rice left…. Tik tok

The #17 of Lille yesterday would transform our midfield.

Its rare all fans, and even some pundits agree on sonething so surely the club will again not miss the chance to address a problem that imo has been a problem for the last 10-15 years with the exception of the “Rice Years”.  We never have had a player with pace, an engine in central midfield. The last battler who covered the pitch before Rice might have been Behrami although he was always injured? But he played in an wra when the intensity and speed of the game was lower.  

The fact it was Rice who arguably was an unintended accident, a CB who was converted to play in central midfield, suggests we have never ever tried to recruit that type of player.

Based on yesterday and the first 60 mins of the Bournemouth game , you could easily make the case for replacing all 3 of those centre mids?  That said, having one of them who is not so athletic is not such a problem if the other two are.  If Paqueta plays as he did yesterday, he should make way along with the obvious problem of JWP.  Potts is young and adjustimg to a step up in intensity but shows enough promise and passing accuracy, work rate if teamed with the aforementioned profile of players. Paqueta should be better if teamed with a no 8 who can carry the ball, provide movement, speed and power etc

As a 3 collectively though, we have what 7 or 8 choices for the central midfield and its impossible to come up with 3 that can meet the physical demands of the Premier Lge and the high possession requirements of Potterball.   That is an indictment of a decade ir more of poor recruitment in this area ( well many areas actually ).  Kovac epitomises the poor recruitment at its worse. 

3 weeks to get in 2 for this area and imo get rid of Guido, JWP, Irvine. Possibly one or more of Soucek, Alvarez and Paqueta will also need to be sacrificed?  Sullivan must be prepared to take a loss on many of them though and thats arguably our biggest problem? 

But then there is the love affair Potter has with JWP? First season in a Moyes set up he was a decent contributor but his assists since then? And set pieces or goals from them have dried up?  Non progressive, ball rotation is not enough and yesterday we saw he struggles physically. Too slow, lightweight.  

 

Fernandes was Southampton POTY last season, I know they were shit, but bit harsh to say he didn't perform. 21 years old and being the best player at the club in the Prem, by a distance is a good effort. Their fans rave about him.

You've said we shouldn't be buying top half of Champ / lower half of Prem standard players, then said Hackney is the one we should be getting, a lad who's never played in the Prem.

Work that one out!

 

southbankbornnbred wrote: ↑09 Aug 2025, 19:12

Ron Eff" wrote: ↑09 Aug 2025, 19:00 I don’t think that’s right about Fernandes, I have to say. I think the ceiling is very high. 

Admittedly I haven’t seen LOADS of him but what I have a like. Decent pace, not rapid but absolutely not sluggish, very tenacious, tracks and tackles well, good passer and good feet. He seems to be an out and out centre midfielder who does a bit of everything. He’s also 21. 

I think it’s exactly the pond we should be fishing in. Sure, the top 6 aren’t looking at him, but we have to remember we finished marginally above relegation last season! He’s the sort of player they want to see prove themselves into their 20’s. We should be snapping these players up while they’re gettable as long as the price is right they weigh up risk vs reward. If he fulfils potential we either have a top player or make good profit. 

What’s the alternative? £40m for a 28 year who has reached the ceiling and the trajectory can only be down?




 

I’m happy to be wrong. Wouldn’t be the first time at all! But I watched Southampton quite a bit last season (had this very conversation with Eerie about KWP) and Fernandes did not stand out at all. Admittedly, he was in a very poor side and confidence was low. People kept talking about his promise - but he never delivered against it.

He’s 21, as you say. He should get better. I’m just not convinced by his supposed “ceiling”. 

This window can easily be considered a fiasco if there isn't a late transfer to make sure we doesn't have to rely on today's midfield.

Ain't ManU also interested in Fernandes. (Maybe a Portuguese thing.?) Still think the club is hoping no one comes in for Douglas Luiz. And they can low ball Juve in the last couple of days of the window. One thing for sure. We need bodies in there that can move.

Ron Eff" wrote: ↑09 Aug 2025, 19:00 I don’t think that’s right about Fernandes, I have to say. I think the ceiling is very high. 

Admittedly I haven’t seen LOADS of him but what I have a like. Decent pace, not rapid but absolutely not sluggish, very tenacious, tracks and tackles well, good passer and good feet. He seems to be an out and out centre midfielder who does a bit of everything. He’s also 21. 

I think it’s exactly the pond we should be fishing in. Sure, the top 6 aren’t looking at him, but we have to remember we finished marginally above relegation last season! He’s the sort of player they want to see prove themselves into their 20’s. We should be snapping these players up while they’re gettable as long as the price is right they weigh up risk vs reward. If he fulfils potential we either have a top player or make good profit. 

What’s the alternative? £40m for a 28 year who has reached the ceiling and the trajectory can only be down?



 

I don’t think that’s right about Fernandes, I have to say. I think the ceiling is very high. 

Admittedly I haven’t seen LOADS of him but what I have a like. Decent pace, not rapid but absolutely not sluggish, very tenacious, tracks and tackles well, good passer and good feet. He seems to be an out and out centre midfielder who does a bit of everything. He’s also 21. 

I think it’s exactly the pond we should be fishing in. Sure, the top 6 aren’t looking at him, but we have to remember we finished marginally above relegation last season! He’s the sort of player they want to see prove themselves into their 20’s. We should be snapping these players up while they’re gettable as long as the price is right they weigh up risk vs reward. If he fulfils potential we either have a top player or make good profit. 

What’s the alternative? £40m for a 28 year who has reached the ceiling and the trajectory can only be down?

 

After today, the need for legs and pace in central midfield is all the more pressing.

We simply can’t have Rodriguez, Soucek or JWP in a midfield that doesn’t have somebody much quicker to the ball/tackle alongside them.

Even 20 mins was enough to remind everybody that Rodriguez is just an awful player in English conditions. He needs too much time on the ball and space. The premier league is not for him. Absolute waste of space  and incredible to think he’s a World Cup winner (played one game, of course!). When he plays, we have ten men.

Desperately need to shake things up in central midfield. There’s no bite, no pressing and no control.

Again, I look at Fernandes and wonder who else he’s linked with. And, again, it’s teams likely to finish in the bottom third of the table next season: Leeds, Wolves etc.

Personally,, I think we’re fishing in the wrong pond too often. If you keep buying players whose likely ceiling is bottom half of on the Prem and top half of the Championship, where do you think you’ll end up? This is what Roeder did.

Maybe I’m wrong - only saw Fernandes a few times last season and he’s only 21, so likely to get better. But he didn’t stand out in any game I saw. It just feels like more overhyped and expensive squad fodder that other clubs of our size/revenues are not chasing.

Genuinely, I’d like to know from Potter what he sees in this kid that you can’t get from Hackney, other potential signings, or some of the youth team players already at our disposal.

Looks like Villa want Hayden Hackney to replace McGinn if he goes. Don’t give them the option.

Lot of noise around Fernandes at Southampton. Mostly from agents. Barely laid a glove on decent Premier League sides last season. Skilful, but lightweight. Not YET convinced. They were an awful team, yet we’ve constantly been linked with many of their players (and signed one).

There are more effective options out there, IMHO.

if Hayden Hackney at Boro was French or Spanish, a Premier League side would have paid £25m for him by now. You could probably land him for £18m, and he’s tireless in midfield: He’d be a good foil for Paqueta and a more defensive midfielder in a three.

fraser wrote: ↑09 Aug 2025, 14:28

onsideman wrote: ↑09 Aug 2025, 13:15

El Scorchio" wrote: ↑09 Aug 2025, 12:52 Fernendes only on the bench for Saints. On the move? (Assume it’s not fitness related)

The evil empire Wrexham just gone one up. Quite a big game for Still as his first in charge

 

Apparently Fernandes missed the final friendly due to illness so I think it possibly is fitness related, but fingers crossed

The keeper plus him and the Senegalese striker (who i admit I know little about) would be decent I think

Or maybe it was a convenient illness... 

onsideman wrote: ↑09 Aug 2025, 13:15

El Scorchio" wrote: ↑09 Aug 2025, 12:52 Fernendes only on the bench for Saints. On the move? (Assume it’s not fitness related)

The evil empire Wrexham just gone one up. Quite a big game for Still as his first in charge

 

Apparently Fernandes missed the final friendly due to illness so I think it possibly is fitness related, but fingers crossed

The keeper plus him and the Senegalese striker (who i admit I know little about) would be decent I think