Ray Winstone shocked by Freddie Potts exit after what he expected at West Ham

Ray Winstone is unimpressed by West Ham United's sale of Freddie Potts.

The Hammers are moving ever closer to the new Championship campaign.

They are yet to make a single new signing at this point, much to the frustration of Nuno Espirito Santo.

That has raised concern at the London Stadium as the league opener against Burnley is just over a week away.

Even with that being the case, the Irons continue to arrange sales with no replacements immediately available.

Potts is the latest to move on from West Ham in a deal that seriously took Winstone by surprise.

Ray Winstone had massive expectations for Freddie Potts

There was a general feeling in East London that the 22-year-old would be a key player moving into the new campaign.

With key experience of the Championship, he looked ready to prove himself in claret and blue.

The Englishman won't get the chance to do that as he has been moved on.

Potts has now joined Club Brugge for a reported £10million, leaving many questioning why the deal was given the green light.

Winstone has piled in on the mystery as he revealed his confusion live via talkSPORT on Wednesday.

He said: "I was shocked that they sold Freddie Potts. They've brought this kid through, come through from the age of eight and they've played him in the Premier League.

"I thought this kid is going to go on and be an icon at West Ham. I think what we need is a spine and it's always great when they've got kids from the area in those positions, especially in the Championship."

The movie star clearly had high hopes for the Rush Green product, but why hasn't he been given chance to fulfil these expectations?

Why have West Ham sold Potts to Club Brugge?

The deal in itself makes complete sense from a personal point of view for the midfielder.

He has joined arguably the biggest side in Belgium and will be playing Champions League football next season.

Potts is viewed as the straight replacement for Raphael Onyedika and that could see him feature regularly for the Pro League champions.

It just doesn't make sense for West Ham as they are losing arguably their best current academy product for £10m.

Having already sold Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville, finances can't be blamed, so it remains a mystery.

Nuno must just see Tomas Soucek, George Earthy, Soungoutou Magassa and James Ward-Prowse as better options.