West Ham ready medical for 'great leader' Joel Veltman as debut earmarked
West Ham United could be set to sign a Premier League veteran in Joel Veltman.
Remarkably, West Ham are still yet to make a single signing in this summer transfer window so far.
Transfer exits have been the order of the day so far, but with most of their outgoing business now handled, the focus in the remaining weeks of the window will largely shift to incomings.
Right-back is an area of the pitch that Nuno Espirito Santo seems keen to strengthen at, with Man City's Issa Kabore one name who's been strongly linked.
However, despite the Hammers now having significant transfer funds to play with, that doesn't mean they're not shopping for bargain buys either.
And in former Brighton full-back Joel Veltman, the Irons seem set to make their first new signing without the need to spend a penny.
Why West Ham are keen to sign Joel Veltman
In any successful team, you have to have those experienced heads in the dressing room.
Players that have been there and worn the t-shirt, and from whom youngsters can draw so much knowledge from, as well as providing the manager with a proven performer.
That's precisely what Veltman could be about to bring to the London Stadium.
A report from The West Ham Way has claimed that Veltman is set to sign for the Hammers, and is expected to undergo a medical imminently.
The report states that Veltman's versatility, as he's able to play right-back and in central defence, is what's attracted West Ham to him the most, as well as being a "great leader" for the dressing room.
Talks are also claimed to have taken place with another ex-Brighton free agent Adam Webster, but it doesn't appear as though that interest will go anywhere now.
Veltman could reportedly be announced as a West Ham player before the League Cup tie against Portsmouth this Saturday if there are no hiccups with his medical.
Naturally given his age and free agent status, there will be some Hammers fans sceptical over Veltman's potential arrival, but does his 2025-26 numbers with Brighton suggest they should be?
How Veltman was still amongst Premier League's best in 2025-26
Prior to leaving this summer, Veltman had been with Brighton since the summer of 2020, having previously spent his entire career with Ajax.
He racked up 191 total appearances for the Seagulls, with 165 of those coming in the Premier League.
Veltman played 24 times in the league for Brighton last season, with nine of those being starts culminating in just over 1,000 minutes of top-flight action.
As per FotMob, no Premier League right-back in 2025-26 had a higher duels won success rate than Veltman's 67 per cent.
On top of that, the 28-cap Dutch international also ranked in the top 7.1 percentile of his positional rivals for his 1.89 fouls won and 1.54 interceptions per game too.
Veltman also won 62.5 per cent of his aerial duels, won 2.66 tackles, made 8.49 defensive contributions and blocked 0.51 shots per 90, all of which put him right there with the very top-performing Premier League right-backs.
So, he may be in his twilight years, but Veltman isn't passed it by any means, and could still be a top defender at Championship level to be signed by West Ham for nothing at all.