West Ham submit bid to sign £34m-rated forward for Graham Potter
Graham Potter has plenty of work to do at West Ham this summer.
Although it was hoped that Potter would come and turn things around as he took the reins from Julen Lopetegui, the reality has been very different.
The Hammers sit 17th in the Premier League table, feeling thankful that those sides below them were worse.
Some supporters are already frustrated with Potter, meaning the pressure is on for him to get the transfer business right in the summer.
Galatasaray name price for Baris Alper Yilmaz
Potter certainly hasn’t had the easiest circumstances to contend with since his arrival in East London.
A combination of injuries in the side, careless attitudes and players that just aren’t good enough have left the boss with few places left to turn.
PSR restrictions will come into play, meaning David Sullivan will have to be shrewd in the business, supporting the manager.
One area where reinforcements are certainly needed is at the top end of the pitch, with Michail Antonio injured and Niclas Fullkrug having struggled with fitness.
Evan Ferguson was brought in on loan for the second half of the season, but he has struggled to get going.
| Player | Appearances | Goals |
| Antonio | 14 | 1 |
| Fullkrug | 15 | 3 |
| Ferguson | 8 | 0 |
Someone who was linked with a move to the London Stadium in the winter transfer window was Galatasaray winger Baris Alper Yilamz, but the Irons saw their £25.2million offer rejected.
Turkish journalist Ertan Suzgun told Haber Sarikirmizi (09 May) that the Hammers have returned to their interest in the target this summer, having made another bid.
The report does not state what the new rejected bid was, but it does claim that Nottingham Forest also made a verbal offer of just over £25million, which was also turned down.
Suzgun reports that if West Ham or any other side wants to secure his services in the summer transfer window, Galatasaray will be looking for a fee of at least £34million to let him go, meaning they will have to increase their offer somewhat.
The Turkish outfit would be willing to part ways with the attacker if the offer came in.
Sullivan needs to back Potter
There is plenty of work to be done ahead of the new season and although Sullivan isn’t known for being keen to put his hand in his pocket, if he wants improvement, there has to be a level of support.
Galatasaray are pushing for a higher fee for Yilmaz than the Hammers were initially willing to go for, but given the failure of Ferguson, the boss could feel like there are few options left to consider.
The forward has netted 11 goals in 29 league appearances this season, which is a solid return, although Potter would want to see this go up if he were to join West Ham.