David Moyes has disclosed just how close he was to signing Cole Palmer last summer, and suggested that the breakdown of Lucas Paqueta’s move to Manchester City indirectly affected West Ham’s ability to secure the English star.
West Ham was in advanced talks to sign Palmer as it became evident he was leaving City during last year’s transfer window. However, they ultimately lost out to Chelsea, where the 21-year-old has thrived, scoring 20 Premier League goals this season.
Simultaneously, City was nearing an £80 million deal for Paqueta, but withdrew when the FA launched an investigation into the midfielder for potential betting violations.
As Moyes prepares his West Ham squad for a match against Stamford Bridge where Palmer is now a key player, he acknowledged that last summer’s transfer saga could have concluded differently.
“We were close, very close,” Moyes revealed. “There was also a situation here that might have facilitated the move. I was in regular contact with his agent and things were progressing well, but then the situation changed towards the end and we couldn’t finalise it.”
Considering Moyes’ general hesitancy to utilise young talent, especially from his own club, it indeed requires a stretch of the imagination to picture him integrating a young player like Palmer from another team’s academy into his squad.
Wouldn’t have started til Christmas anyway #MoyesOut
I seem to remember that it was reported at the time that Moyes was unconvinced about Palmer because he thought Palmer was too young to have an impact…
IIRC at the time, West Ham had been discussing the move for Cole Palmer for a fee in the region of £20-25mil.
Then Chelsea flashed the cash and signed him for £42.50mil.
Palmer would’ve been used as a left winger and he would not perform like he is at Chelsea. Palmer is a right winger, as Kudus and Bowen and have not done very good the minutes he’s had at left for Chelsea.
Jeeps says
Transfers, too slow to catch a cold.
Too many mind games and forever looking for a BARGAIN!!!
Need to splash the cash.
50% replacement squad players, new manager and players on bench equal to those on field.
Yeah of course he was. And Messi and Foden. And Pep.was going to.be the next manager more Sully bs
Rubbish..if they wanted him thst bad they could of got him …just look at the list of quality plsyers we missedout on due thst absolute Scottishwznker ….
Palmer didn’t want to leave City but he asked if he could go out on loan. City took it as a cue to sell him.
Despite Palmer being home grown and one hundred percent profit for city I doubt it’s going to save them when the financial fair play cops catch up with them. I just hope any points deductions for city are next year and not this. Couldn’t stand to see Arsenal winning the league.