West Ham chiefs ‘will be fuming’ after late Deadline Day drama
West Ham United were linked with a move for Eli Junior Kroupi throughout the closing stages of the winter transfer window.
However, a late Deadline Day deal saw the Frenchman move to Bournemouth, and chiefs at the London Stadium will surely be fuming.
West Ham were believed to have made a huge bid to sign Kroupi ahead of the 11pm deadline on Monday (3 February) [Daily Mail] but in the end, no move materialised.
Instead, the deal took many twists with it once looking as though Kroupi was set to join Lyon [Kaveh Solhekol], but a last-gasp move saw the Frenchman move to Bournemouth instead, and this is where the Irons will be frustrated.
Lorient, Kroupi’s now former club, are a sister club of Bournemouth and player trading between clubs under multi-club ownership is typically frowned upon.
West Ham have every right to feel frustrated
While the transfer is within the legal boundaries of player trading, it’s certainly one that appears somewhat unethical and the nature of the deal is even more questionable.
Despite the Hammers failing to agree on a deal due to perceived troubles with the payment structure, Bournemouth went on to agree a fee of just £12million upfront, with the rest in bonuses [New York Times].
Bournemouth were certainly walking a metaphorical tightrope with the deal and ultimately, it has cost the Irons what would have been a big signing.
West Ham were able to conclude a deal to sign Evan Ferguson but were keen to add further attacking reinforcements.
As for now, though, Graham Potter will have to work with what he has to ensure they finish the season as strongly as possible.
In other West Ham news, Gary Neville gave his reaction as the Irons completed a late bit of transfer business.
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