What has widely been viewed as a disappointing transfer window for West Ham has already sparked internal finger‑pointing. What is clear, however, is that Taty Castellanos, Pablo, and Adama Traoré were all players specifically requested by Nuno, while Keiber LaMadrid was very much a “Sully special”, with the club’s owner also convincing his head coach to retain Callum Wilson.
Will Salthouse client, Taylor Harwood-Bellis was also a target with Southampton rejecting two bids for the 24 year old centre back.
Questions have also been raised about why the club failed to produce a broader shortlist of targets, especially considering the extensive work being carried out by Max Hahn and his data department behind the scenes. Italian scout Antonio Tramontano, known for combining qualitative insight with quantitative analysis, was similarly active in identifying potential signings.
It has since emerged that Tramontano flagged Napoli’s Antonio Vergara, prompting West Ham to submit a €20m offer that was swiftly rejected. He also highlighted Atalanta defender Isak Hien, though the Italian side demanded at least €25m for a player they had only signed in 2024 for €9m. Federico Gatti, a Juventus centre back was also a target yet the Italian club rejected an approach by West Ham.
Hahn and his team also identified Arouna Sangante, the Senegalese centre‑back at Le Havre, as well as Brazilian defender Natan at Real Betis who turned down three separate bids from West Ham.
Arouna Sangante
With no Director of Football in place, the club’s scattergun approach became increasingly apparent, culminating in a frantic deadline‑day move for Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, who was registered just in time.
Yet just 24 hours earlier, Claret and Hugh had approached a source at the club who was adamant there would be signings.
Having ended the window with a net profit on transfers, supporters are growing uneasy about the club’s overall recruitment strategy. Many fear that without clearer leadership, a coherent long‑term plan, and a more unified approach to scouting and decision‑making, West Ham risk falling further behind their rivals both on and off the pitch.
It remains to be seen who will be accountable.
As for “Who carries the can….” it has to be both Sullivan and Nuno. They had plenty of time at Sullivan’s house discussing details and who would be responsible for what before Nuno was appointed. Nuno since quoted as saying he got what he wanted from those discussions (otherwise he presumably would not have accepted). Nuno is also a big part of the reason West Ham are where they are because of his tactical insecurity. Sullivan just loves to interfere in things he is paying someone else to do. The trouble is that if West Ham survive, so will they…for now.
NO MORE BS
All down to Sullivan and his penny pinching
Then blame someone else
and “we tried”
Utter b@llox
Just stop with the spin, no true fan believes any of this.
Whoever found Pablo & Taty (I guess Mendes/NES network) has helped transform the club’s style of play. They were brought in at the beginning of the window, so everything agreed with DS re. budget and integrated into the team from day 1, PL ready or not..
The call for PL players ready is very hard almost impossible to meet as too expensive and clubs will not let them go and a player who is happy with his club will not join WHU. Kind of a spurious argument from the manager who then uses it as a reason, according to another C&H article, to reject Sangante.
Looks as though Max Hahn was sent on a wild goose chase. He’ll be chuffed.
Club should have stood firm and said ‘no’ to Adama Traore, having sourced an alternative with an accompanying ‘take it or leave it’ note.
A DOF would only be there to tell manager you cannot have so-and-so but can have this guy and NES would say ‘no’.
I do fear, that if we go down, we will lose, more than first team players.
We will lose academy players and coaches.
Possibly Hahn and a lot of back room staff, as we will have to shred the budget.
It is really sad this time and it could finish us as a club.
Bottom line is we need two new centre backs
Newguy tilty? A.waste of timr making wilson our best striker
Why not stop whining and just get on with supporting the team?
We did the DoF thing with Husillos and then Steidten and no one has a good thing to say about it. But now we don’t have one that’s no good either.
We’ve seen a big improvement in style and application in the last few games and there’s an outside chance we can stay.
So let’s embrace that chance and if the worst happens, get ready to stuff Millwall next season.
Agreed. Way to much much negativity around the club. Yes some is completely justified. But where’s the other half of the article to say who would be the one to praise if it all goes to plan? I’ve seen enough lately to give me hope of survival. This weekend could massively swing in our favour with the set of fixtures. ⚒️
Agree completely mate. They didn’t post my comment on here but I thought the same.
Anyone but Sullivan, it’s always someone else… but he’s the one constant
The front 2 are fine and I’m happy with them, we will have to wait and see how the Chelsea lad turns out, but I do worry if Traore will add anything. Generally I think we done ok.
Clearly Sullivan is problem as he wants players at greatly discounted price.
Whats the point in having people who have experience in determining players with potential.
Asking for help and then just sweeping them under the carpet.
There was never any intention supplying Nano with players required.
He’s just become an item in the list of ‘Back manager or he will fail’.
Doesn’t matter what club paid for a player if he’s excelled they’re entitled to ask going rate.
Majority of cases whu wouldn’t understand this as loosing money has become occupational hazard.
Max Hann and any other scouts should tell him to p@@@ and stop wasting our time.
Until Sullivan goes this will continue to happen….so unprofessionally run it is a surprise that anyone wants to sign for us it is truly laughable.
I guess we will have to make do with what we have. Taty and Pablo have improved us, but when they tire we seem to fold. Perhaps when the strikers withdraw we should move Summerville and Bowen into their positions and bring on Lamadrid and Traoré on the wings or alternatively Walker-Peters and Scarles if the occasion calls for it. Whatever we need to keep up the intensity in defending from the front
Who will you give the credit to, should West Ham survive?
Sullivan is accountable, because this site made a great song and dance about how Sullivan was in sole control of the transfers once the Director of Football was sacked by Sullivan. The bucks stop solely with Sullivan, he holds the purse strings and is in sole control of transfers.