The news from inside West Ham that the club would not be appointing a Director of Football to oversee transfers this summer was greeted with predictable derision from those who are not a fan of Hammers chairman David Sullivan. The crucial transfer window opening on 1st June will be make or break for West Ham’s immediate future and any aspirations the club might have to get back into Europe will depend totally on the success of the Hammers recruitment: The trio of Potter, Macaulay and Sullivan have their work cut out.
Immediate reaction from Claret and Hugh readers suggested that Hammers’ Chairman – who is a known admirer of Antonio’s mate- would be after the out of contract Callum Marshall on a ‘free’ transfer: I’d suggest the direct involvement which Sullivan will have in the summer window actually means the Hammers are more likely to head in an altogether different direction to bring a striker to the club alongside Niclas Fullkrug.
Back in March we reported on West Ham’s aspirations to sign Liam Delap should Ipswich Town be relegated. What has become clear recently is that Delap is the absolute favourite target of Chairman David Sullivan’s two sons, Jack and Dave Sullivan – who will no doubt be in their dad’s ear about bringing the striker to West Ham in the summer if, as is likely, Ipswich are relegated.
Liam Delap – admirers at West Ham
So the direct influence of the Chairman back into the driving seat for the ’25 transfer window might not be all bad news: The £40million required to activate Delap’s release clause and bring him to East London is by no means an impossible figure, given the £57 million ‘ghost’ offer that the Hammers made for Jhon Duran last winter.
The litany of failed attempts and tens of millions wasted bringing in overseas strikers like Scamacca and Haller who then fail in England makes the prospect of buying a tried and tested Premier League hitman very attractive.
A striker in the Arnautovic mode, bullying defenders, Delap would be perfect to head West Ham’s front line and a worthy Antonio successor without breaking the bank.
So rather than dreading the arrival of Callum Wilson – at 32 surely past his Premier League sell by date even by West Ham’s standards – Sullivan’s pick might just be Liam Delap as an appreciating, young, fit and fast frontman.
Liam Delap would be good which is why a whole bunch of premier league clubs are chasing him – unfortunately it looks like whoever we get will be signing up to a relegation battle next year – apparently Man U are after Delap
If the earlier much desired Amorim is up to anything they should be challenging for Europe next season
who is Antonio’s mate? proof-reading helps
Callum Wilson. Who writes this shite
Callum Marshall would be excellent, who is he?
Hang on, you’ve been telling us all winter that the lad from Celtic was a done deal? Surely you’ve not been feeding us porky pies just to get us to read the articles? Would never have happened a year or 2 ago!
Martin, had you been at the cooking Sherry when you wrote this?
The slightly hysterical tone and language, plus the fact that you’ve identified Calllum MARSHALL as the target, rather than Callum WILSON, leads me to ask the question.
Ffs if this is true. God help us . Can’t remember the number of strikers the dwarf has signed but not one has come good .think your being kind when you say fans not keen of the dwarf . I think the word is Despise him
Why is derogatory language like “Dwarf” still allowed to be used towards someone (who isn’t actually suffering from that disability anyway) whether or not you don’t like them on this site still? Childish and pathetic,as well as incorrect,slur.