West Ham Look to Snag Wan Bissaka Mk2 in Free Transfer Coup

Kyle Walker-Peters, a player West Ham reportedly targeted last summer but were quoted a fee in excess of £20m, will be available on a free transfer in the summer.

The Hammers are set to intensify their pursuit of the 27-year-old, who can play on both the right and left flanks, offering versatility to West Ham manager Graham Potter.

With Vladimir Coufal likely to depart in the next transfer window and Aaron Cresswell’s contract also coming to an end, the Hammers’ depth in these positions is limited.

If Walker-Peters moves to The London Stadium, West Ham will look to sell Emerson, with several Italian clubs showing interest in the former international.

While Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Ollie Scarles have been in excellent form for West Ham this season, competition will be crucial.

Walker-Peters currently earns £20k a week at Southampton and is eager to earn a place in the England team, having last represented his country in 2022. He can sign a pre-contract with West Ham now but is expected to assess his options at the end of the season.

Turkish giants Galatasaray tabled an £8m bid for the full-back in the January transfer window, but he decided to remain at Southampton. Given his free-agent status, multiple clubs are expected to vie for his signature, and his agents, CAA Base Ltd, are already sounding out a number of clubs, with West Ham reportedly at the head of that queue.

The summer transfer window will be very challenging for West Ham, as they face a limited budget and will need to fund new signings through player sales. With Graham Potter already managing a small squad—currently the oldest in the Premier League—securing this deal as early as possible is a priority for the club.