West Ham finalising terms for high-profile exit - David Ornstein

West Ham are in the process of finalising Tim Steidten's exit from the London Stadium, according to David Ornstein.

The Athletic journalist reported via X [24 January] that the technical director is set to leave his role with the Hammers as many of his duties have been assumed by Kyle Macaulay.

Graham Potter worked with Macaulay during their time together at Chelsea, and after being heavily involved in Julen Lopetegui's sacking, Steidten is now set to follow suit out the exit doors.

Tim Steidten set to leave West Ham United

Steidten's presence has clearly caused a lot of issues at the London Stadium over the last couple of seasons, first falling out with David Moyes before having differences with Lopetegui.

The technical director has been under pressure of his own, away from the managers, having been constantly slated for some of his transfer decisions during the summer window.

With Luis Guilherme already being linked with a move away from East London, just six months after arriving on a £25million deal [BBC Sport], that is just the tip of the iceberg for the German.

The big-money move for Niclas Fullkrug also looks to have backfired after the striker suffered a brand-new injury after initially being sidelined for a couple of months earlier in the campaign.

Steidten decided to bring the 32-year-old forward to the club instead of signing the young, exciting Jhon Duran from Aston Villa, who has only gone from strength to strength since earning Unai Emery's trust.

His exit has been coming for a long time now. It only felt inevitable until David Sullivan finally made the decision to look elsewhere, and Steidten can be let go with Macaulay in the building.

Having worked with Potter at Chelsea, he is likely to fit seamlessly into the new project at the London Stadium, leaving no room for the current technical director anymore.

In other West Ham transfer news, a Jean-Clair Todibo transfer twist has emerged at the London Stadium.

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