Reports continue to suggest there’s frantic recruitment research going on behind the scenes belying the impression of the good ship West Ham United being dead in the water: Whilst shareholder power moves are still carried out in secret and there’s no news regarding an appointment as head of Recruitment, evidently the backroom team are working hard to provide options for Nuno’s – and a future Director of Football’s – consideration once the impasse in the boardroom is resolved.
Top of the list of targets appears to be Brighton’s winger Amario Cozier-Duberry as West Ham go searching for pacy players – should Crysencio Summerville depart then a replacement suitable for the Championship will be absolutely essential. ExWHUemployee amongst many others has referred to the winger as being one under consideration.
Several other names – some familiar, others less so – were named in the same report: Leicester’s Abdul Fatawu, Watford’s Othmane Maamma and Stoke City’s Million Manhoef all wingers under scrutiny at this early stage of the window.
Dan Neil – ex Sunderland skipper finishing a loan at Rangers – again linked with West Ham United
Outside of the EFL, ‘ex’ suggests Espanyol’s Tyrhys Dolan and Matteo Cancellieri of Lazio who has apparently been on Brentford’s watchlist.
A plethora of pacy youngsters in that list suggests the common theme: West Ham are looking for young, up and coming talent rather than heading down the “Adama Traoere’ rabbit hole once again. Amen to that.
As far as midfielders are concerned – according to insidefutbol.com, West Ham United are linked with Cardiff City ‘standout’ Rubin Colwill whilst free agent Dan Neil , the former Sunderland skipper currently odds-on to stay with Rangers where he was on loan, is also mentioned.
Both are attacking midfielders and players who would be useful additions to West Ham’s Championship squad, both being familiar with the second tier. Again, both young, up-and-coming but with good experience to hit the ground running at London Stadium.
Of course, this being the Championship there’ll no doubt be loanees and free signings as the Hammers look to remodel and rebuild. But the core of young, pacy players being mentioned at present at least offers hope that the Irons have ambition in this division rather than merely plugging the gaps with old warhorses and free signings.
We will see if Adam Webster rolls up that’s that theory down the swanee