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
We need another Striker and Left wide Forward back up to Summerville (who's medical record is now questionable).
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 13:50
by Massive Attack
He looks promising with healthy stats to back it up for his age to me. First I've heard of him.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 13:45
by El Scorchio
Maybe we can get Yarmo to put in a good word for us...
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 13:22
by fraser
violator wrote: ↑21 Jul 2025, 13:16
Got a whiff of Payet about him in those clips
Looks decent and only 22, been linked to us before but also Napoli and Juve
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 13:16
by violator
Got a whiff of Payet about him in those clips
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 13:10
by fraser
Linked to Sudakov now
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 13:01
by scott_d
southbankbornnbred wrote: ↑21 Jul 2025, 12:27
The only thing that makes sense about that sort of thing - if true - is that I hope there are several key figures around the first team who like the look of Marshall.
Would definitely like to see him with the first team squad next season, although I'd prefer that he was effectively the 3rd choice striker behind Fullkrug and a new, proven signing.
You never can tell until they play Premier League games, of course, but Callum looks like he could make the step up.
Agree, I don't think Callum can do any worse than Ings so why not give him some games and find out?
Just commit to giving him this next season as a first teamer alongside Fullkrug and 1 other.
Considering the amount of average players we tend to sign, we could make space for some of these youngsters by not signing the the dross.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 12:35
by John Drake
Who needs a striker when you rarely get into the penalty box?
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 12:27
by southbankbornnbred
The only thing that makes sense about that sort of thing - if true - is that I hope there are several key figures around the first team who like the look of Marshall.
Would definitely like to see him with the first team squad next season, although I'd prefer that he was effectively the 3rd choice striker behind Fullkrug and a new, proven signing.
You never can tell until they play Premier League games, of course, but Callum looks like he could make the step up.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 12:26
by Mad Ferret
Lee Trundle" wrote: ↑21 Jul 2025, 12:22
We just spent a very large amount on a left back, to go with the other 2 we already have
Why can you not get your head around the fact that Emerson is leaving?
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 12:22
by Lee Trundle
We just spent a very large amount on a left back, to go with the other 2 we already have, a player the manager wanted supposedly.
What happened there if all that is true what you said below, because it goes completely against that?
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 12:16
by easthammer
I am sure last week I was reading (probably clickbait or Sullivan propaganda or both) that West Ham didn't need to spend big on a striker, around £20m for a young prospect. That was following on from saying that DCL and Callum Wilson had been disregarded because of fitness concerns. And now this..
So I imagine the conversation between Potter and Sullivan was along the lines
Sullivan: You can have either DCL or Wilson, as they are on a free
Potter: No thanks, they are cocked and too old. I want a youngster for about £20m
Sullivan: You've got a couple of them already, so make do. I'll put the money on an overpriced Midfielder that an agent mate of mine knows
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 12:16
by El Scorchio
Sir Alf" wrote: ↑21 Jul 2025, 12:02
What is missing as always the context. Was it put to Potter that, for example, we cannot be getting a striker, a goalkeeper, 2 central midfielders and a striker and he had to compromise? I could understand that even though its still leaving us short. And the context includes or does not include sales of existing players? Without that its provably just click bait ?
This will be exactly it, or something along those lines. If this conversation ever even took place it'll have been to do with 'what is the priority in the transfer market? Central midfield or striker?' rather than 'Do you want to sign a striker, yes or no?' There is no chance in hell Potter will have flatly said 'I do not want to sign a striker.' straight up with no context.
And he's right. If the central midfield doesn't work, you could have anyone up front short of Maradona, Messi or Ronaldo and they won't be scoring much at all because they won't be getting any chances created for them. Obviously everyone wants a new striker, but we desperately need the people who are going to make any striker be effective first, and at the same time take some pressure off our defenders.
I know some won't agree but if I had to choose between a legit good midfielder for this team or a striker and I'm only allowed one of them, I'm choosing the midfielder every day. Nothing works without them. And yes he may be old but irrespective of fitness, we have an international striker at the club already who we know scores goals when he has service.
And besides anything else, Potter knows whoever he signs and is told there is or isn't the money for, he's getting Callum Wilson with a three year contract delivered to him on deadline day anyway....
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 12:11
by Lee Trundle
Sir Alf" wrote: ↑21 Jul 2025, 12:02
Was it put to Potter that, for example, we cannot be getting a striker, a goalkeeper, 2 central midfielders and a striker and he had to compromise?
Then he'd an idiot for not prioritising a striker.
I know last season was proper shit, but it's like people have completely forgotten what happened. We didn't have Fulkrug for large periods of the season and it showed with our "attacking" play.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 12:06
by southbankbornnbred
And we do have to take into account that it might simply be untrue.
Wouldn't put much past this club. But there is also alot of guff written about it - and not just by us on here!
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 12:06
by Sir Alf
Oops I put 2,strikers !! now that would be a luxury . I meant a CB, gk, 2 CMs and a striker.
Perhaps its based on a double deal with Pool for Morton and Elliott ? Cant have a striker if we splurge 55 million on them? I can dream
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 12:02
by Sir Alf
What is missing as always the context. Was it put to Potter that, for example, we cannot be getting a striker, a goalkeeper, 2 central midfielders and a striker and he had to compromise? I could understand that even though its still leaving us short. And the context includes or does not include sales of existing players? Without that its provably just click bait ?
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 11:56
by Lee Trundle
I reckon that's on Potter, not Sullivan, if true.
In case you forgot, Sullivan loves signing a striker (53 in his time here).
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 11:41
by Sydney_Iron
Whetstone (and Potter) have got to be on a wind up or more likely this is made up bollocks?
Or are we flush with Strikers all of a sudden? An injury prone kraut and some kids, oh and maybe the now very long in the tooth and slow on his legs Antonio
FFS
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 11:39
by Sir Alf
Absolutely its Sullivan driving the narrative. I hope Potter has prioritised 2 central midfielders and Sullivan has said not enough for a striker then. But what if we sell some of Alvarez, Guido, Dinos, Aguerd, Emerson, Soucek or Irvine? And we have 20 million from the Kudus sale or is it only a third ( the first instalment of 20 million which we just spent). Its Sullivan and where is the £90 million Sullivan and board made known would be available if needed?
Potter Makes Massive Season Defining Call on Striker Bid
Sean Whetstone
Graham Potter has told the West Ham board that he does not need a new striker this summer and will prioritise on other transfer positions instead.
The Hammers had been expected to splash out on a new striker this summer but that is now in serious doubt.
German Hammer Niclas Fullkrug is now fully fit having lost additional weight and is eagerly ready to start the Premier League season
Jarrod Bowen is often used as a striker and Potter has the option of Callum Marshall to call on as cover.
Winger Crysencio Summerville should also return soon to add power to the attacking lineup.
Free agent Michail Antonio is yet to find a new club after making a substitute appearance for Jamaica in the Gold Cup back in June.
A return to West Ham on a short-term contract and/or pay as you play can’t be discounted at this stage either.
This has the whiff of Sullivan all over it building up another manager to be another scapegoat if the season doesn't go well. IF Potter has said something like this (note how they can't keep it confidential in the club haha- hmmm I REALLY wonder why and to what end...) it'll likely be in the context of 'Yes a new striker would be great but we really, really need new midfielders as first priority or there's simply no point in buying a striker as they won't get any service.'. There's no way he would flatly say he doesn't need a striker because that would be insane.
Reminds me a bit of the time Bilic was reported (by Sullivan sources) to flatly turn down Renato Sanches and a Polish player that Sullivan offered to him, but what wasn't reported was it was them OR someone else, and Bilic wanted the other player more, rather than just turning down two players for the sake of it which was how the story was framed. Strangely it was at the time when Sullivan clearly was souring on Bilic....
Absolutely stinks of Sullivan starting to twist the narrative and dripping his little bits of poison to his pets in the media.
Potter Makes Massive Season Defining Call on Striker Bid
Sean Whetstone
Graham Potter has told the West Ham board that he does not need a new striker this summer and will prioritise on other transfer positions instead.
The Hammers had been expected to splash out on a new striker this summer but that is now in serious doubt.
German Hammer Niclas Fullkrug is now fully fit having lost additional weight and is eagerly ready to start the Premier League season
Jarrod Bowen is often used as a striker and Potter has the option of Callum Marshall to call on as cover.
Winger Crysencio Summerville should also return soon to add power to the attacking lineup.
Free agent Michail Antonio is yet to find a new club after making a substitute appearance for Jamaica in the Gold Cup back in June.
A return to West Ham on a short-term contract and/or pay as you play can’t be discounted at this stage either.
This is insanity if it is true.
Unless he really rates Marshall and/or Ajayi
Our squad is poor - we all saw that last season. We have one experienced striker and he has a history of knee problems. He's the wrong side of 32 and it's unlikely he'll last the entire season. We've just let two experienced, Premier League strikers go.
We need another striker. They cost money. Stop fannying around with reserve full-backs and promising centre halves playing in Finland's 14th tier.
I know Potter doesn't like teams that shoot. But one day he will wake up to the fact that you have to test the opposition goalkeeper to win some games.
El Scorchio" wrote: ↑21 Jul 2025, 10:59
Just read on the news thread (thanks Alan) about a story linking us to Albian Hajdari, 22yo from FC Lugano, also allegedly of interest from by Brighton, Bournemouth, Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen. 5mill Euros release clause.
Sounds weird, but this one quite encouraged me. Never seen him play (so massive caveat) but I like the fact we are being linked to players like this if there's truth in it. Getting in there at the right time and the right price, and the other clubs mentioned would bode well in suggesting he's got something about him. For me, this is the profile of player we really need to be looking at (alongside a couple of more established names of course) who may not necessarily make an impact right away, still very affordable but could grow into a very good player in a couple of years time and either be a mainstay for us, or move on for big money under the assumption we've planned properly and have a player fully ready to step in and replace him.
Anyway, a little bit of idealistic blue sky thinking really, but I'm just looking for some positive signs we are moving forward in the right way. That'll be dashed when he joins Brighton because Sullivan says no or buggers up the deal, he turns out to be great and moves on for 50 million in 2-3 years, and in the meantime we've gone all in on some 30 year old CB with massive wages, no resale value but a 'friendly agent' who is mediocre at best and sits there for 3 years not doing much but gobbling up 100k a week instead.
Sure, but you do have to be a little bit careful with targets like these. It's relatively 'easy' to look like a decent prospect in Swiss league. Remember Albian Ajeti, who we spent £8m on in 2019? He was in and out of the club quickly, because he just wasn't Premier League standard.
Everybody's on the lookout for rising stars, sure, and we should be in for them. But for every hit you tend to get three or four misses. The good thing is that McCauley does have an eye (and usually a computer programme) for some of this stuff. Let's hope he delivers.
Yup very true it's a move into the unknown and of course every player like this is by no means a sure thing, but nevertheless for some reason this one encouraged me that we are trying to move in the right direction regarding player profile, whether we end up with this player or not, or whether he is amazing, decent or a bust. The only worry is that if he's not instantly amazing, short sighted Sullivan will start getting itchy fingers on Macauley's methodology.
We do have to accept that not every move like this will pay off, but given the money isn't massive for this sort of deal, if you buy say five players of this ilk and 1-2 of them turn out to be very good even if three don't amount to much, (even though you'll still likely break even on shipping them out given age) then for a club like us that's great value and supremely useful which allows us to splurge on a few big names alongside them. Much as I don't want us to be a stepping stone, I'm not going to complain if the odd player who is exceptional moves on to a top club netting us a huge profit in return to reinvest. Although ideally they'd stay long term and be the foundation of a renaissance at the club with a whole new philosophy on how to build and maintain a good squad of players.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 11:25
by Alan
C&H
Potter Makes Massive Season Defining Call on Striker Bid
Sean Whetstone
Graham Potter has told the West Ham board that he does not need a new striker this summer and will prioritise on other transfer positions instead.
The Hammers had been expected to splash out on a new striker this summer but that is now in serious doubt.
German Hammer Niclas Fullkrug is now fully fit having lost additional weight and is eagerly ready to start the Premier League season
Jarrod Bowen is often used as a striker and Potter has the option of Callum Marshall to call on as cover.
Winger Crysencio Summerville should also return soon to add power to the attacking lineup.
Free agent Michail Antonio is yet to find a new club after making a substitute appearance for Jamaica in the Gold Cup back in June.
A return to West Ham on a short-term contract and/or pay as you play can’t be discounted at this stage either.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 21 Jul 2025, 11:19
by violator
Hopefully this kid from Lugano is better than the last Swiss/Albanian we snapped up from the Swiss league.
now that would be a luxury . I meant a CB, gk, 2 CMs and a striker. 
