It has become apparent since Lucas Fabianski left the club that Alphonse Areola and Wes Foderingham between them are no front-line first-flight goal keeping solution for West Ham. In view of the required squad overhaul needed this summer with no funds, the decision to let Fabianski leave is even more puzzling but that conversation is for another day. West Ham’s links yesterday with Brazilian John Victor, broken by Fabrizio Romano, appear genuine enough and seemingly took everyone by surprise.
No Mads Hermansen or Zion Suzuki then? With the prices being demanded for the two top-quality shot stoppers, north of £30 million, it is not surprising to see the Irons looking elsewhere.
If one of the two aforementioned ‘keepers did suddenly materialise at West Ham, there’d be a very worrying undertone.
Because West Ham don’t have £30 million to blow on a goal keeper. Remember, after Kudus, no player sales have emerged – unsurprisingly – as the Hammers squad is stacked with expensive, ageing highly paid players. That cash has to fund a full rebuild.
A midfielder -at the very least – is still urgently required as has been clearly evident from the pre-season friendlies. Even with a resurgent Lucas Paquetá already emerging from his two-year hibernation.
And there lies the crunch. Suddenly again West Ham’s most saleable asset, Paquetá has been linked again with Manchester City in ‘news’ stories this morning. Footballinsider247.com is typical of the new wave of conjecture:
“Man City set sights on new Lucas Paqueta bid after confirmed West Ham news” blares their title this morning.
So the fact that the Hammers are still planning on buying from the ‘bargain basement rail’ of goal keepers is incredibly reassuring. A £30 million-keeper purchase would instantly have me asking ‘who’s being sold to pay for that‘?
Reassuringly, the very cheapness of the Hammers’ shopping list likely means there’s no plan to cash in just yet.
One more year, Lucas? one more year.
Supposedly the 14th richest club in Europe and your title says it all Martin, “Bargain Basement.”
Not a lot to look forward to for forthcoming season as is. As things stand not sure getting through it and just surviving would be a good thing as that is all Sullivan is really interested in. Don’t see anything positive from the other shareholders either, all happy to take out but no ongoing investment from what I can see. Getting to the point of apathy.
You obviously don’t recall the last time we cheaped out on goalkeeper that cost Pelligrini his job and us nearly relegation
Can we ask Lucasz Fabianski to come back or has he already been snapped up by much smarter owners at another club?
Is there anything else other than Bargain Basement signings for whu?
Monetary reports are completely contradictory just like any players who suppose to be coming in.
Articles on any players over £25m should be considered nul and void if associated to whu.
Agree with Matt (above) sooner this transfer season is shut the better. What good was the split season for whu, none.
Nelson Deossa cheap as chips and we still try a lo- ball offer, some things never change
Raphael Onyduka a number 1 target supposedly (£25m) has been mentioned incessantly, WHEN?
Fair comment, Martin; but I thought – from a previous article – that we had £150 million available ?
What a complete shambles of a football club…..
How much would jack Butland from rangers cost ??? 32 yrs £4m ?
Keith Wyness, Mick Brown and Football Insider are as trustworthy as Diddy, Trump and a £10 car off Temu!
Let’s get real, we’re shopping in Poundland because Sullivan doesn’t want to back Potter. Morton agreeing a deal for £10-£15m with Lyon not us tells the story.
It’s essential to recruit players that can eventually be flipped for profit. Kudus proves that!
Can’t wait for the transfer window and new season to be over. Like last year we’ve got zero expectations and as far as hope goes, that’s just survival.
If it’s essential that we only buy players that can be flipped for a profit, why is Sullivan to intent on bringing in Callum Wilson? Not much chance of a profit there.
The other possibility is that this guy is intended as a number two and Areola is the player on the goods outwards list…