West Ham United split emerges behind the scenes on transfer targets, disagreement on the likes of Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse
West Ham staff have had differences of opinion behind the scenes over which transfer targets the club should be pursuing, according to Mail Plus.
With central midfield the primary requirement this summer after selling Declan Rice to Arsenal, although by no means the only need, the Hammers have been credited with interest and offers for a long list of options, shocking some observers.
It now appears this may be down to the fact that there is a split at the club between those who feel domestic options should be brought in, and those who want to go for overseas targets.
Simon Jones writes in his Mail Transfer Confidential: “West Ham have a difference of opinion on targets with some staff favouring UK-based purchases such as [Joao] Palhinha, James Ward-Prowse, Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Alex Scott while others are leaning towards Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana and Axel Disasi, Edson Alvarez of Ajax and Denis Zakaria at Juventus.”
Confused
This might explain why West Ham are apparently in for every target going without actually signing any of them, but it is an issue that needs to be addressed as a priority.
It is unhelpful enough that it is likely delaying much-needed reinforcements coming through the door when there are fewer and fewer days of preseason for David Moyes to work with them.
But after a season where huge money was spent for very little return until the Europa Conference League win late in the season, it doesn’t bode well for any signings that are made to settle in well this time around.
It seems like a relatively fundamental aspect of the recruitment policy that should have been worked out way ahead of time, likely last season let alone prior to Rice’s move to the Emirates being completed.
Joao Palhinha looks to have been wiped out of contention after sustaining a dislocated shoulder in a preseason game against Brentford on Sunday night (23 July), so there is no time to lose in deciding who should be signed and then pushing to get it done.
Ex-Chelsea loanee Zakaria has appeared to be one of the closest, and seems to be readily available for fairly reasonable money, but even the Swiss hasn’t yet arrived.
If West Ham want him they should get him wrapped up fast and then move onto the next move, as the delays are far from ideal as it is, but if they are a result of discord behind the scenes it won’t reassure anyone ahead of the new season.
In other West Ham news, an “extraordinary” transfer update has emerged on an exit-bound player that appears to have changed things drastically.