Nuno Espirito Santo has been credited with seeking to raise West Ham’s standards this summer, aiming only to recruit players capable of cutting it back in the Premier League rather than Championship ‘quick fixes’.
Which of course is a laudable aim but means that the Hammers are liable to butt up against top division clubs competing for the signatures of their targets.
As has happened in the case of former Newcastle United defender Matt Targett, who left the Magpies at the end of his contract and was available on a free. As the shieldsgazette.com confirms, the Hammers have lost out on the defender to a Premier League side:
“Defender leaves Newcastle United to agree contract with surprise Premier League club
West Ham United and Norwich City are reportedly set to suffer disappointment after a former Newcastle United defender agreed to join Premier League newcomers Hull City.
Targett spent last season at Middlesboro but will now return to the Premier League with Hull City
Defender Matt Targett was one of several players to leave the Magpies when their contracts came to an end last month after he spent the vast majority of the season on loan at Championship neighbours Middlesbrough.”
This is likely to become an oft-repeated problem this summer and one which means that the Irons may not bring players in until late in the window, if all of their targets hope to be picked up by top tier clubs and will presumably wait until the last possible minute before accepting a drop into the second tier.
Hi Martin,
I think we have to remember that players are human beings & have other issues as well as Prem / EFL. Matt Targett may not want to uproot family / kids etc – I don’t know his circumstances…
After all he’s been on loan at Middlesboro’ in the EFL and if your reporting is correct he’s going to Hull, so it could be a geographical choice – who knows ?
If we leave it till late in the window, we will be 4 games in and could be playing catch up which is the most ridiculous idea imaginable. I find it ludicrous that we are here yet again after this way of doing business has failed us over so many windows.
Missed out? A number of articles didn’t think he was a correct candidate anyway.
Depends on whether the need is for experience or younger player with resale value possibly.
Also if Mavro stays they need to be compatible.