One of Graham Potter’s targets this summer, reportedly, was Kiernan Dewsbury Hall. Understand;y, the talented Chelsea midfielder was in big demand and eventually got snapped up by David Moyes’ Everton for close on £30 million as the Hammers again missed out. Dewsbury Hall has already impressed hugely at Everton.
However according to West Ham – focussed journalist Roshane Thomas in the athletic, West Ham spurned the chance to sign Dewsbury Hall plus cash in failed negotiations over then sale of Mohammed Kudus, in a package worth £70 million: Kudus was subsequently sold for ‘just’ the £55 million. According to the report:
“London rivals Chelsea were the front-runners and initially expressed interest in signing the 25-year-old winger in May. They planned to sign the Ghana international early in the window so he could join Enzo Maresca’s side ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup — a competition they would win — which started on June 15.
…Chelsea offered West Ham £40million ($54.2m) plus midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the swap deal, but their offer was rejected. Both clubs failed to reach an agreement and Dewsbury-Hall was later sold to Everton for £30m in August.”
Hindsight is a wonderful thing – and it is in vogue to bash the board at present – but if true, turning down forty million plus a top midfielder looks a dreadful error by the West Ham management, in view of the subsequent capitulation to the arch enemy for £15 million less. Again, if true, this is a cock-up of massive proportions and only likely to amplify calls for a professional Director of Football and management team to take these decisions in future.
Yes indeed, if only West Ham had a smart and astute Director of Football who knows what he’s doing! Oh well, we just have to add it to the long history of transfer fails at West Ham United. At least we seem to have brought in a few handy additions in the last couple of weeks of the recent window. Let’s all hope that the win against Forest was not just a flash in the pan. COYI !
I dont especially rate KDH and if we’d done this, would we have got Fernandes and Diouf as less cash to spend? I don’t agree with your assessment at all. Another negative story from you in my view I’m afraid Martin
and you are entitled to your opinion.
This is a fascinating look at a missed opportunity. It really makes you wonder what could have been if West Ham had accepted Chelseas offer. Such a deal seems like a no-brainer now, especially after seeing the final sale price. Its a frustrating situation for Hammers fans.<