West Ham fan and Guardian journalist Jacob Steinberg has revealed the positions Graham Potter is looking to strengthen in his latest transfer update.
The in-depth piece, which includes transfer updates from all Premier League clubs, became particularly revealing when it came to reeling off Potterās wishlist.
According to Steinberg, the Hammers boss is targeting a left-sided centre-back, two midfielders, a striker, and a goalkeeper.
If anything, the list feels a little threadbare, especially considering the club are expecting to lose Mohammed Kudus, Lucas PaquetĆ”, Emerson, Maxwel Cornet, Andy Irving, Guido RodrĆguez, and Edson Ćlvarez.
Meanwhile, Carlos Soler and Evan Ferguson have returned to their parent clubs following loan spells, and Aaron Cresswell, Michail Antonio, Vladimir Coufal, Danny Ings, and Åukasz FabiaÅski have all been released.
If Steinbergās update is accurate, one of the midfield targets would presumably be a No.10, given how creatively limited West Hamās midfield was last season.
It also suggests a huge amount of pressure will be placed on Crysencio Summerville to fill the void left by Kudus. That, in itself, could prove problematicāSummerville is not expected to be fit until September at the earliest.
Perhaps Potter is banking on West Hamās academy graduates stepping up, and hoping that Luis Guilherme makes a leap forward this season.
Whatever the plan, one thing is clear: any new arrivals will need to hit the ground running. With so few additions expected, thereās no room for passengers.
Put all of our academy players in the team and thereās no room for any new signings. Could get us relegated too though. I remember the team with Joe Cole, Michael Carrick, Jermaine Defoe, Glen johnson in it. Maybe a little bit too much inexperience at the time.
I bet his real wish list is that he didn’t come to this tin-pot club where he has to work with Sullivan and Brady…..
We are embarrassing aint we….
Already losing out to Sunderland for players..
Going to be playing in Probably the worst kits in this clubs history at the worst ground in the league with one of the worst atmospheres….
Cheers Sullivan you’ve killed this club…
Relegation looms
Think you’re on your own with these thoughts and standards Beyond.
It’s been obvious amount of changes needed were never going to happen.
Potter is going to have to prove his worth.
When things are not going to plan he can’t say we didn’t get the right players.
Too much time spent chasing players which were never going to happen.
Kudus to Spurs, no.Chelsea have bought 18 strikers over last 3 years and are still buying. Would he get a regular start?
Need to keep Paqueta (if his case works out) and Kudus both could be different players.
A lot of players which Potter wanted are no longer available.
Paqueta will be kept. FA are reported to be ready to conclude their ‘inquiry’ at the end of February 2026. You will have noticed that the June ‘deadline’ has passed. No progress there.
This leaves Lucas Paqueta with nowhere to go unless he gives up on football. It will be West Ham United for the season or nothing.
Sad for Lucas and his ambitions, but great for us.
COYI
I’m not expecting our starting 11 to look much different from last season.
It would be nice to have money to spend as result of selling the players who’d prefer European football next season, but if the offers don’t suit us, then hopefully these guys don’t sit around sulking and have enough professional pride to ensure they perform well, even if it is to earn places in their respective national teams for the World Cup, or a January transfer at least.
We may not be able to offer players Champions League football, but we can offer young players the chance to perform in the best domestic league in the World, an opportunity to get a starting place, and to showcase their talents to bigger clubs.
Donāt sound great – another relegation battle looms.
We need a āsquadā and players on the bench who can change the game, like nearly every other Premier League team, has !
Last season bar none (including relegated teams) we had the worst bench in the league.
Wish I could see some positives but to be honest all sounds bleakā¦..
His already stated he wants to work with a smaller squad and give youth a chance, it could be a testing season but also one for great development of players ! COYI
For once it would feel a sensible approach. No european football, play some of the youngsters in the league cup.
Integrate the 5 into the squad properly and then add again in Jan but likely next summer.
Massive question is can we get 5 through the door in time. We wonāt be able to offload the numbers being talked about.
Blimey if and when we get injuries and AFCON I really hope heās not stupid enough to say weāre down to bare bones or bemoan the fact we donāt have quality in certain areas. That will be a squad of around 18 players before you add any new academy players who may have to step up and that squad will still include ward prowse and mavropanos (who should not be anywhere near starters) the midfield especially is an area where we need a total overhaul but this would appear to be tweaking it which is a worry as the spectre of JWP and soucek being integral to the team is a recipe for relegation as they simply cannot move the ball effectively through the lines. Cheers
I think it’s realistic to say that we can’t solve all our problems in one window. Most important thing is that we stop wasting money and there is the added benefit that the youngsters will have room to develop. Diouf would give as an additional attacking threat on the left, I could even see him playing further forward with Scarles at left back in a 4, but it may be that we also have to rely on a loan or two this season. Alot of us are yet to be convinced by Potter but having a manager who understands the necessity of investing in younger players is a big step forward and I believe will pay dividends in the long run if we can be patient.
As things currently stand we must be among the relegation favourites. We don’t just want a good window we need one and if that’s the extent of ambition then it doesn’t exactly foster optimism.
There is also the possibility that Alvarez, Kudus and Aguerd may stay