News yesterday that a former top West Ham transfer target is apparently packing his bags and is off to Turkey came as slightly puzzling, seeing as how West Ham bid for him last year and were apparently counting down the months until his Southampton contract ran out. The versatile defender in question would have been available on a Bosman deal which would have involved no transfer fee but a ‘signing on fee’ for the player of far less than the £20 million-plus demanded 12 months ago.
The report in various outlets – tribalfootball.com and others yesterday – detailed Kyle Walker-Peters forthcoming move to Besiktas and the ‘medical already being booked’: Was this a case of another Hammers target eschewing east London or were West Ham merely outbid or worse, slow off the mark again.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Turkish side have an appeal, granted. But surely a move to stay within the Premier League would have been a bigger attraction for one of the better defenders in Southampton’s relegated side of last season?.
Hammers’ former target is now heading to Turkey
Claret and Hugh’s transfer source, close to the club, confirmed something different.
Whilst Walker-Peters had been a target twelve months ago the shift in policy this summer could not be clearer. Graham Potter decided against pursuing Walker-Peters even though others in the hierarchy thought for no money he was a decent option.
So it was West Ham’s decision, not the player’s.
The Hammers head coach may have had the final say on Kyle Walker-Peters but he’ll also have to deal with the fall-out if he can’t get a better player through the doors in his stead: Rumours linking right back Arnau Martinez made well be evidence of Potter’s choice in place of Walker Peters.
The news today that El Hadji Malick Diouf is on his way for a West Ham medical prior to joining the club shows that Graham Potter is 100% set on bringing his own men into the club.
Sullivan will kick Potters pick to the kerb because they cost money and sully only wants a nice freebie…he will be annoyed no doubt so Potter the writing is very much on the wall for you mate.
This would have been a typical Hammers signing, but as many others have said not good enough – so fair play to Potter on this one 👍
Not good enough !
Well done potter
Great news that Potters turning down these old once promising but never quite delivered journeymen players in favour of getting young highly rated up and coming players. If he prioritises players like that and gives a chance to our own youth team players to make the breakthrough then he’ll be doing all right by me.
Why would anyone of any competence want to come to this club? Doesn’t own it’s ground or even training ground, both awful, average manager, self serving owners who rather not invest in the club, and really do not give a fig for the West Ham faithful! 60 years supporting , and I have to say this club is finished, it will only ever aspire to survive, nothing more.
On the basis we are on a limited budget on both wages and fees, we can only afford players who are going straight into the side…..W-P wouldn’t so move on.
Walker Peters is no loss. Would be a bench warmer to Wan Bissaka unless played one of them out of position which makes little sense
The problems here are that Potter is pursuing Champions League quality players who aren’t interested in Westham or are over priced , meanwhile the freebies of perhaps Premier League mid table quality are being snapped up by everyone . A month to go before seasons start and nothing suggests that Westham will be scrambling to sign the old and the lame on the last day of the transfer window . Potter’s tactical goal is to play possession based football without any game changer players ( Kudus ) and so we’re left with a squad that looks like last seasons Southampton . Circus monkeys could do a better job than this .
If walker-peters is not someone that potter wants what would be the point in perusing him potter is his own man and won’t be walked over by outside influence he knows the players he wants in the squad so he will be hoping to bring them to the club providing Sullivan doesn’t put a block on it by refusing to fund the those players or by haggling and end up missing out as other clubs act quickly to get the players they want signed up asap things won’t change while Sullivan is pulling the strings time to pack your bags and go taking Brady with you I for one can’t wait to see that happen
Brilliant decision…So at last we start to move…20 year old Diouf will do for starters…I would go for Veiper next…Under 21 German ..Let’s go!!
Free doesn’t equate to good enough…..
Same applies to Tosin (Fulham) who was out of contract.
Potter decided neither were wanted.
Obviously so spoilt for choice, players just waiting, not.