With the emphasis on players leaving – both those at the end of loan spells or short contracts – together with pending high money departures in next month’s transfer window, there has been little focus on summer signings.
However for West Ham to put together a decent tilt at winning promotion next May, incomings there must be. With up to ten players thought to be leaving, that’s huge volume of business needed before the window closes at the start of September.
Following news that defender El Hadji-Malick Diouf is one of those at the fore of several clubs’ intentions, footballleagueworld.co.uk’s ‘exclusive’ article today claims they have the inside information on a left back replacement from inside the English leagues:
“West Ham eyeing Sheffield United, Harrison Burrows transfer raid to replace El Hadji Malick Diouf”
Is their claim:
“Football League World understands that West Ham are plotting a move to sign Harrison Burrows ahead of the window, with the Blades’ left-back viewed by key decision-makers in E20 as an ideal replacement for El Hadji Malick Diouf in the event of his expected departure…
Harrison Burrows – apparently already in West Ham’s sights for summer business
The ex-Peterborough United starlet has been among the top-performing left-backs at Championship level over the last two seasons after moving to Bramall Lane in the summer of 2024, having played an inspirational role in his side’s run to the second-tier play-off final in his opening campaign with a haul of six goals and six assists apiece throughout league action – which is exactly why he’s being lined up as a Diouf replacement.”
Sheffield United are indeed in similar dire straits with their Premier League parachute payments having expired. Burrows cost £3m in 2024 when the Blades acquired him from Peterborough – so they’d expect to turn a tidy profit .
An interesting claim, will have to see how the reported interest develops over the summer on Diouf is on his way.
What will happen to James Ward-Prowse, keep for set pieces, or reduce wage bill. Free transfer to Southampton or a move to Europe. I have a Feeling he will do well, elsewhere. How many players moving to West Ham in last few seasons have achieved anything.
I’ve no idea if Harrison Burrows is at the standard we need to win promotion but if he can defend and not nod off during a game then he’s an improvement. There again so am I at 62 and right footed.
Why when on have Scarles and Mayers
Straight exchange with tevez
Hi Martin, this is the first time I have posted a comment on this site. Due to ill health I can no longer attend the games and therefore have to rely on the televised games, highlights and the views of our fans on this and some of the other sites. So I do not consider myself to be well placed to give opinions in comparison to people that attend week in week out. However, based on what I have seen, I do not personally rate Diouf, in my opinion he is very poor defensively, seems to lack the concentration levels required of a top level full back, and in my opinion he should be sold.
Your opinion is just as valid as anyone else’s…I’m sorry you can’t attend games any longer. Think you are spot on with your opinion of Diouf: He’s got a lot to learn. It is a by product of booting out so many experienced older players; youngsters do make mistakes.
Scarles being cast aside then?
Don’t think so, he still has a lot to learn and probably isn’t ready to play week in week out.