West Ham United have navigated one of the most difficult transfer windows in recent memory. A whirlwind of former talent – in total seventeen players were released, including expired contracts and loan returns, while 10 new faces arrived to reshape the squad. All of course whilst orchestrating a high-stakes balancing act under the electric fence-like parameters of PSR regulations.
Critics had already got the knives out in readiness for David Sullivan, but the non-appearance of free agent Josh Brownhill who is reportedly heading for the Middle East must go down as the biggest surprise of the transfer window. He was even reported as having brought a house in Essex, just ready for the call.
Here’s a full rundown of the full story of West Ham’s window.
Deadline day saw a flurry of late action, with Igor Julio a loan from Brighton, and Dimitri Colau joining from Paris FC on a permanent deal.
Prior to this, long term target, Mateus Fernandes was signed for a fee of €44m,and defender Jean-Clair Todibo became a permanent transfer after his loan last season.
El Hadji Malik Diouf helped bolster the defence when he became a €22m signing from Slavia Prague and goalkeeper Mads Hermansen joined from Championship side Leicester, having been highly recommended by Potter’s goalkeeper coaches.
Soungoutou Magassa is perhaps the biggest unknown quantity to West Ham fans. It is here that the signing of on-loan Igor offers considerable reassurance, because now having specialist cover at centre-back means Magassa won’t be forced into emergency defensive duties at the expense of West Ham’s newly reconstructed midfield.
Daniel Cummings €300k, Callum Wilson, and Kyle Walker-Peters complete the arrivals both on free transfers.
Departures -almost €90 million worth- were headlined by Mohammed Kudus who was controversially sold to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Nayef Aguerd – eventually confirmed this morning along with fellow defender Emerson both joined Marseille and Edson Álvarez – dispatched on loan to Fenerbahce with a highly unlikely option to make the move permanent next summer.
Brazilian Luizao had his contract terminated by mutual consent. Maxwel Cornet re-joined Genoa on a season long loan, whilst of the youngsters, Lewis Orford was shipped out to Stevenage, Kaelan Casey to Swansea and Junior Robinson to Livingston. The quartet of Scarles, Potts, Marshall and Earthy remain in the West Ham senior squad.
Despite the frenzy, not everything went to plan. West Ham failed to land a striker. An omission that has left fans fuming.
Targets fell through: Idrissa Gueye slipped away to Udinese for peanuts. Lucas Stassin ‘the assassin’ – remained at St Etienne. Victor Boniface – A loan was floated, but Potter reportedly pulled the plug after the Forest win. Franculino Dju – The crown jewel of FC Midtjylland, was courted by Bayern Munich and PSG, but West Ham’s bid several days ago was stonewalled.
The board will be quick to highlight that the club spent more on players than transfer fees received, albeit wage reductions were achieved.
With no takers for Guido Rodríguez or Andy Irving – both of whom remain at West Ham the squad now leans on depth and versatility.
This window was a rollercoaster of ambition, frustration, and last-minute heroics. West Ham fans will be left wondering is this the squad capable of keeping the club in the Premier League – or even aiming up further with more ambition.
Only time will tell.
Still not too late to see Rodriguez possibly depart Matt as the window is still open in Belgium and Switzerland until 8th September, Turkey and Greece on 12th September or the Saudi Pro League on 23rd September. I’m still amazed that we failed to sign a quality striker and replacement for Aguerd. Pleased to see us keep Potts, Earthy, Scarles and Marshall but little disappointed to see Lewis Orford go out on loan but at 19 he’ll do well at Stevenage. Such a shame to lose at Wolves in the Carabao Cup as this competition would have provided much needed 1st team opportunities for our talented youngsters. I really hope Potter doesn’t continue to use JWP and definitely no Brownhill if Rodriguez does depart as this would send the wrong message to Freddie Potts.
We are overloaded with quality strikers now. Happy days. Just need more fixtures to keep them all ticking over and feeling wanted and loved.
We have to hope for the best but only two new centre midfielders it means we will have to hope they don’t get injured and we will have to play one of JWP, Rodriguez and Soucek all of which are the problem. Unless of course Potter actually uses the academy players.
The same centre forward problem as Wilson may not be totally useless but isn’t what was required.
The weak centre backs seem to be the same or worse getting rid of Aguerd and getting in a underwhelming loan.
Goalkeeper hopefully covered after the poor start and certainly sorted out the full back positions.
Not at all what we needed or hoped for and still fearful of the season ahead.
Failure to sign a quality striker will cost us.
It’s been a huge turnaround of players. We’ve got rid of a lot of the players who didn’t want to play for us like Kudus and Aguerd etc and we’ve got rid of a lot of the players that were old and past it like Ings, etc etc. We’ve bought in promising young players like Diouf, Fernandes, mangazza etc in their early twenties. This is a team that can grow and be moulded and be added to and we have freed up places for young banners like Potts, Scarles, Marshall and Earthy. I’m pretty happy with the business we’ve done.
Irn-Bru Iniesta staying could prove to be a good piece of luck for Potter and for me he is ahead of Rodriguez in the pecking order….does not try to be something he is not and from what i have heard a good man to have around the place…So Potter use him when we need him do not discard him for that slow Rodriguez.