West Ham United vice-chair Karen Brady has revealed a transfer truth that will sting for Hammers fans: the club narrowly missed out on signing Chelsea’s in-form midfielder, Cole Palmer.
Brady acknowledged West Ham‘s recent success in the transfer market, highlighting players like Lucas Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus, and Edson Alvarez as “sensational additions.”
However, Brady admitted that Cole Palmer represents a significant missed opportunity. West Ham reportedly had a deal agreed with Manchester City, but Chelsea swooped in with a £42.5 million offer, securing the youngster’s signature.
The 20-year-old midfielder has been a revelation for Chelsea this season, currently sitting as the joint top scorer in the Premier League with 20 goals and 9 assists. His impressive performances make West Ham’s failure to sign him even more painful.
Brady believes that signing Palmer could have made the difference in West Ham’s push for another European season. Now, Chelsea enjoys the benefits of his talent, potentially finishing above the Hammers in the league table.
West Ham fans are likely to be devastated by this revelation. The thought of a potential club legend playing at the London Stadium, coupled with the impact he could have had on the team’s European ambitions, will undoubtedly bring a sense of “what if” to supporters.
Ah! Do I remember correctly that it was reported that David Moyes thought he was too young so rejected the idea?