West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo faces his first real battle of the transfer window as he attempts to convince the club to re-sign Adama Traoré.
Earlier this morning, The Athletic reported that West Ham are keen to bring the powerful Spanish winger back to the club following his spell last season.
However, that only tells part of the story.
Having spoken to a source closely connected to the club this morning, Claret & Hugh have been told that while Nuno is very keen to work with his former Wolverhampton Wanderers player again, there is some reluctance behind the scenes to sanction what would likely be a significant wage package.
Wages Are The Main Concern
Unlike the majority of the current West Ham squad, who have seen their salaries reduced by 50% following relegation, Traoré would be arriving on a brand-new contract.
The understanding is that he will not come cheaply.
There are also concerns about how little football he played during the latter stages of last season, despite West Ham being embroiled in a relegation battle.
Speaking exclusively to Claret & Hugh this morning, a source said:
“Nuno wants him but it won’t be easy because he’ll want Premier League wages. There is also a concern about how often he was used last season.
“But Nuno will have a big input on who comes in and the club do want to support him, but were ideally looking to sign up-and-coming players on lower wages.”
Nuno’s First Transfer Test
This is very much a case of watch this space.
What is becoming increasingly clear is that there appears to be more willingness within West Ham to retain or re-sign some of last season’s players than was originally thought.
Whether that extends to meeting Traoré’s wage demands remains to be seen.
When he played against Leeds (I think it was) with Summerville out he was excellent, but not otherwise. Partly a question of his temperament, when he feels he has a point to prove he’ll play well, but I think it is time for WHU to clear house as I keep saying and look to keep players of ambition with the right type of character to fight to return to the PL and then remain there.
If NES looking for a team to get back to PL and then get in new guys to stay there, I do not agree with this approach. I would prefer club take players such as Potts, Magassa, Kante, Myers, Scarles and U21s and improve their level of play, make them better footballers, all round. Add players of character and real quality (Bowen, Taty,…)
Talk of immediate return to PL sounds really brave and courageous, but could simply infer manager is not interested in building on youth, apart from picking 2/3 and the rest as occasional subs to pad out the squad, but will go for players who have greater experience, knowledge of PL, who are already road tested – Traore. Sounds typical, selling to people what they want to hear, obligingly taking the quick, easy route to match the declared ambition, avoiding taking time to build anything but for the shorter term.
How much will he be in demand only played a bit part at Fulham.
At 30 both him and Wilson could be assets as experienced players.
Needs to get reassurance from Nuno that he will be given more playing time.
Trippier to Wolves has been recognised as good business this could be on same scale.
Do whu really need a DoF?
Premier clubs definitely do but championship transfer will probably come from within that league.
Most ideal transfers will speak for themselves would whu have scouted championship prior to relegation.
Whats important is somebody who can negotiate properly and not haggle with stupid bids but realistic ones.
Do replacements have to premier league quality which will bring higher cost transfer fees and more demand.
Will he be more useful when in the Championship. Does the club want to forgo the earning potential of developing a young player.