David Sullivan failed with two West Ham United transfer bids as details come to light
West Ham supporters were let down on transfer deadline day after expecting plenty of incomings.
Igor Julio signed from Brighton and was West Ham’s only newcomer on the final day of the window, despite plenty of speculation.
Supporters hoped for a new striker, but not signing a number nine has come back to bite the Hammers, with Niclas Fullkrug’s injury for Germany leaving them with just one fit striker.
After Igor, there was still hope of bringing in another centre-back, with Axel Disasi offered a loan move from Chelsea.
David Sullivan failed to sign Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Charlie Cresswell
When West Ham were linked to Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji early on deadline day, it seemed like plenty of business was going to be done by Graham Potter’s side.
Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis was another name on the Irons’ shortlist after showing promise for England.
Charlie Cresswell could also have joined West Ham, with David Sullivan offering to sign the former Leeds defender on loan.
| Club | Appearances | Goal involvements |
| Leeds United U21 | 39 | 2 |
| Leeds United | 14 | 0 |
| Millwall | 30 | 6 |
| Toulouse | 37 | 7 |
| England U21 | 21 | 4 |
According to Alan Nixon on Patreon, the Hammers failed to sign the two England internationals because they only offered loan moves.
Sullivan, who is under fire, would have paid £16million in total for Cresswell if he had played enough and Potter’s side stayed up.
Southampton would have received a £2.5million loan fee and a potential £17.5million altogether for Harwood-Bellis.
Both bids were knocked back, given the initial push for a temporary switch.
David Sullivan should take a leaf out of Daniel Levy’s book
Hammers supporters will have been happy to see that their rivals, Tottenham, have lost a key figure in Daniel Levy.
However, they will equally be hoping that Sullivan follows suit.
West Ham’s supporters group have sent out an open letter asking for Sullivan to step down following the lack of transfer activity over the summer.
The news on Cresswell and Harwood-Bellis only serves as reminders that Sullivan isn’t good enough to run the Hammers.
Profit and Sustainability rules were no excuse for the Irons, given the injection of cash from Nayef Aguerd’s sale to Marseille and the fact that Aston Villa, who are worse off, still managed to sign players.
Sign up for the West Ham Zone WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking West Ham United news sent straight to your phone.