West Ham Plot £15M Move But Agent Identity Raises Eyebrows

West Ham have added Sheffield United stopper Michael Cooper to their keeper hit list – but Hammers fans will be concerned to hear the blade is a client of Will Salthouse.

The Hammers’ goalkeeping situation became an even more urgent concern after Alphonse Areola’s blunderclass in the 2-1 friendly defeat to Manchester United. The Frenchman gifted both goals and left fans – and Graham Potter – shaking their heads. With a full shake-up underway in the goalkeeping coaching department, it’s little surprise that Potter now wants a fresh face between the sticks.

However, for most of the window Leicester City keeper Mads Hermansen has been the Hammers manager’s top choice.

Cooper, just 25, is firmly in the frame according to breaking reports. West Ham are rumoured to be making final checks on the keeper before the transfer window slams shut. The Blades, who signed him from Plymouth for just £4m last year, now value him at around £15m after a fine first season.

Cooper performed well in the Championship last season, helping push United to the brink of Premier League promotion – only to fall short in the play-off final defeat to Sunderland.

Interestingly, former Irons boss David Moyes tried to bring Cooper to Everton earlier in the window, but the approach was swiftly rebuffed.

Now West Ham are suddenly interested, and with Potter looking to build possession from the back, Cooper could be a cheaper option than Hermansen and with the favoured agent too.