Potter has Sullivan to blame as John Victor transfer truth revealed
West Ham are close to sealing the signing of Botafogo goalkeeper John Victor, despite the wishes of Graham Potter.
The Hammers have agreed a deal worth around £8.7million with the Brazilian side, with just the formalities of the agreement remaining.
Victor emerged as a target for West Ham last week, with Potter keen to displace Alphonse Areola ahead of the new Premier League season.
The Frenchman has endured a difficult pre-season after struggling to adapt to his new head coach’s demands about playing out from the back.
Potter was keen on alternative options
West Ham have been strongly linked to several goalkeepers this summer.
Negotiations were thought to be advancing with Parma for 22-year-old shot-stopper Zion Suzuki, but talks for the Japanese talent appear to have hit a stumbling block.
Further reported was West Ham’s interest in Leicester City goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, who enjoyed a solid season in the Premier League last season despite his team’s relegation.
The 25-year-old is happy with the ball at his feet and possesses superb reflexes, often the hero for the few points the Foxes did manage to collect.
But talks over the Dane are still yet to reach an advanced stage, and Victor’s imminent arrival would suggest that West Ham have moved on.
The 29-year-old presents a massively cheaper alternative, who impressed at the Club World Cup for Botafogo.
But the goalkeeper will be signing against the wishes of the Hammers’ head coach, according to the Daily Mail (5 August).
Potter’s recruitment team, led by Kyle Macauley, identified Hermansen and Suzuki as their top targets for Areola’s replacement this summer.
The former looked to be the easier deal to complete, but when it came to negotiations, West Ham were unwilling to meet Leicester’s valuation.
West Ham are therefore bringing in a keeper that was third on Potter’s list at best.
Potter situation could quickly turn ugly
West Ham have consistently opted for the cheaper option so far this summer.
When Potter required a striker following the departure of Michail Antonio, the Hammers provided him with 33-year-old free agent Callum Wilson.
And when looking for competition for Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back, West Ham went for another free agent, in Kyle Walker-Peters.
| West Ham outgoing transfer fees 2025/26 | West Ham incoming transfer fees 2025/26 |
| £54m | £55m |
It is extremely difficult to justify David Sullivan’s reluctance to splash the cash to back his head coach this summer, especially given the £55m sale of Mohammed Kudus – a player still yet to be replaced.
The signing of Victor is the latest in a series of money-savers for the West Ham owner, and sooner or later, Potter’s patience is going to run out.
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