West Ham fully informed on deal to sign Jeltsch – Sky Sports journalist
West Ham United have added FC Nurnberg defender Finn Jeltsch to their summer transfer shortlist, according to Florian Plettenberg.
The Sky Sport Germany journalist posted on X (15 January) to report that the Irons are one of several clubs in the Premier League and Bundesliga keen on signing the 18-year-old centre-back this summer.
The Hammers are “closely monitoring” Jeltsch’s progress at the 2. Bundesliga side, with London Stadium officials fully informed on what it’ll take for them to sign the teenager at the end of the season.
Plettenberg said: “West Ham have added Finn Jeltsch to their shortlist for the summer and are closely monitoring his situation. West Ham are fully informed about all figures and plans.
“Other teams from the Premier League, and particularly from the Bundesliga, are also interested in the 18-year-old top talent from FC Nurnberg for the centre-back position.
“A transfer in summer seems likely.”
Finn Jeltsch transfer shows Potter influence at West Ham already
It’s not taken long for Graham Potter to have his fingerprints all over the transfer targets being chased by the Hammers, with Jeltsch exactly the kind of talent the 49-year-old could mould into a top player.
Having taken the likes of Ben White to new heights during his time at Brighton, Potter’s presence in the London Stadium dugout could entice Jeltsch to choose the Irons over any other interested club.
That’s a stark contrast to some of the transfers Potter’s predecessor pushed for last summer, not least Guido Rodriguez, which led to the first of several fall-outs between Julen Lopetegui and Tim Steidten.
Having signed from Real Betis on a free transfer at Lopetegui’s behest, Rodriguez being a staple of the Spaniard’s first dozen games and hardly being seen since was the first sign of a doomed appointment.
Potter’s arrival in place of Lopetegui last week though gives the Hammers a chance to wipe the slate clean when it comes to their transfer business, and Jeltsch could be the face of that brand-new outlook.
In other West Ham news, one of the Irons’ Premier League rivals have laid down the terms for a possible transfer to East London.
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