Graham Potter to replace Lopetegui at West Ham, first signing already mooted
West Ham are in the market to sign a new striker on loan in the January transfer window amid PSR concerns, according to Alex Crook.
The talkSPORT journalist also mooted Evan Ferguson to be on the Irons’ wishlist as they look to bolster their attack as Niclas Fullkrug continues to struggle.
He also expects the Hammers to replace Julen Lopetegui with Graham Potter, a move that help them in their pursuit of Ferguson due to the manager’s Brighton connection.
“I think it’s going to be an interesting January for a lot of clubs actually when it comes to balancing PSR”, Crook said on talkSPORT (30 December, 11:50 am).
“I think we’ll probably see a lot of loan deals, I know West Ham are in the market to sign a striker on loan.
“Evan Ferguson, who I talk about in the notebook actually, in terms of Chelsea continuing to keep tabs on him.
“He’s a player who’s been on their radar for some time. He’s only scored one Premier League goal this season, but there’s still interest from Chelsea.
“I think he’s somebody who would be on West Ham’s list of potential candidates as well because it has not really worked out so far for Fullkrug.
“Obviously, Michail Antonio, after that horrendous car crash, won’t play again this season.
“So, Ferguson is a player, I think, would fit the bill, particularly actually if, as we expect, Lopetegui is replaced by Graham Potter because there’s a pre-existing relationship between Potter and Ferguson from his time at Brighton.”
Graham Potter could bring Evan Ferguson to West Ham
Lopetegui is under increasing pressure at the London Stadium after the Hammers suffered a 5-0 drubbing at Liverpool’s hands on Sunday, 29 December.
There are more shouts than ever to pull the plug on the Spanish tactician, but the West Ham board have reportedly given him two more games to save his job [talkSPORT].
The Irons travel to Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday (4 January) before locking horns with Aston Villa away from home in the FA Cup on 10 January.
Poor results in those two games could prove to be the final nail in the coffin for Lopetegui.
David Sullivan may not even wait until 10 January to sack the former Sevilla boss as a bad result against City could be enough to make his mind up.
With Potter available, it does not make sense for the East London outfit to cling on to Lopetegui with the hopes that he will eventually turn things around.
In other West Ham news, Tony Cottee is in disbelief over the board’s latest destination and has named his preferred candidate to replace Lopetegui.
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