David Sullivan to give Potter ‘perfect transfer gift’ amid £13m West Ham news
David Sullivan is primed to back Graham Potter with new signings at West Ham United this summer.
Potter added only one player to his squad after taking the reins at the London Stadium in January, roping in Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton.
However, the English tactician is expected to bolster his ranks significantly this summer, despite West Ham facing financial constraints after spending £120million last year.
With eight first-team players running out of their contracts at the end of the season, the Irons need to address a few different positions, including central defence.
West Ham hot on heels of David Hancko
Potter generally prefers a system with a three-man defence and has employed that formation several times after joining West Ham.
However, the Hammers are not spoiled for choice in that area, with Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo and Konstantinos Mavropanos their only three senior centre-backs.
While Aaron Cresswell has operated as the left-sided central defender on many occasions, he is due to leave the London Stadium as his contract runs out this summer.
This is why a new centre-back has emerged as a priority for the East London outfit ahead of the transfer window.
West Ham have set their sights on signing David Hancko from Feyenoord, according to Algemeen Dagblad.
| Stats (Eredivisie) | Hancko |
| Matches | 29 |
| Pass accuracy | 90.6% |
| Ground duels won | 109 (61.6%) |
| Aerial duels won | 41 (61.2%) |
| Minutes played | 2,610 |
The newspaper reported via their website on Wednesday (7 May) that the Hammers are one of the clubs interested in signing the defender, along with Chelsea, Al-Nassr, Atletico Madrid and an unnamed German club.
The news has been corroborated by Voetbal International, who also claim Feyenoord will want more than the £13million they wanted for the 27-year-old last year.
Hancko could be Sullivan’s gift to Potter
At 27 years of age, Hancko is at the peak of his career. As a left-footed defender, his profile is also rare to come by in today’s market, although West Ham already have Kilman in their ranks.
The Slovakia international could be a significant addition to Potter’s squad if the Irons move forward with their interest in him.
He could join Kilman and Todibo to form a formidable three-man defence for the Premier League club next season, that too for a fee that would not require them to break their bank.
That is why Hancko could become Sullivan‘s perfect gift to Potter this summer.