The 'brutal' new rule put in place by Nils Koppen to transform West Ham transfers
Nils Koppen was thrown in at the deep end when it came to overseeing West Ham United's summer transfer business.
The 41-year-old was hired as director of player recruitment by West Ham in July following a spell working with FC Copenhagen.
Koppen also previously spent time working in a similar capacity at Scottish heavyweights Rangers.
He was tasked with overseeing a transfer overhaul of sorts as the Hammers adapted to life outside of the Premier League.
It was a busy summer at the London Stadium, with West Ham raising just shy of £200million through sales, while spending £30m.
Koppen was at the forefront of that, with a behind-the-scenes reveal now emerging on his part in the summer business.
What is West Ham's new approach to transfers?
West Ham have had too many dreadful transfers to count in recent times.
While it is true not every deal will work out, it seems West Ham have more duds than most.
Look no further than Niclas Fullkrug, who was one of West Ham's worst-ever signings pound-for-pound.
In an article in Monday's print edition of The Sun, Justin Allen provided a look behind the curtain at Rush Green.
It is reported that Koppen has now put in place a "brutal new rule", which is to ban "mercenaries" from signing.
As long as Koppen is in place, players over a certain age simply will not be considered.
The report also states how Koppen does not ring players or agents to get a character reference on any potential new signings, as is the norm.
The Belgian instead rings players' former physios, backroom staff and assistant coaches for the "raw truth".
It is an interesting tactic - a simple one, some might say - but it is certainly better than whatever the previous approach was.
How many of West Ham's summer signings have been a success?
A total of nine new signings were made, whether on permanent deals or a loan basis.
Manor Solomon, brought in from Tottenham Hotspur for around £5m, has arguably been the best of them.
Arne Engels has also now found his groove after arriving for a Championship-record sum from Celtic.
Divine Mukasa, back at West Ham from Manchester City for the season, has also impressed when called upon.
More can be expected from Joel Piroe, meanwhile, and Joel Veltman is another who the jury is still out on.
But on the basis of what we have seen so far, this squad compiled by Koppen and the others behind the scenes at West Ham looks more than strong enough to earn an instant Premier League return.