West Ham United ’cause concern’ amid Vangelis Pavlidis transfer latest
Graham Potter has been unable to turn West Ham United’s fortunes around and needs to have a positive summer transfer window.
Potter has steered the London Stadium outfit to just three wins from his 15 games in charge, failing to achieve victory since a 2-0 triumph over relegated Leicester in February.
The Hammers sit 17th in the Premier League, and can count themselves lucky that the bottom three have already suffered relegation.
Potter needs to guide West Ham to a strong transfer window, while the London club have set their sights on Benfica ace Vangelis Pavlidis.
West Ham one of multiple Premier League teams in for Pavlidis
Pavlidis only joined 38-time Liga Portugal winners Benfica from AZ Alkmaar last summer, but has already attracted transfer suitors thanks to his strong form.
| Vangelis Pavlidis stats | 2024/25 all competitions |
| Appearances | 49 |
| Goals | 28 |
| Assists | 10 |
According to Portuguese outfit Abola (29 April), Benfica are concerned by the possibility of an approach for Pavlidis in the summer transfer window amid interest from West Ham, Everton, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, and even La Liga giants Barcelona.
But Bruno Lage’s men are somewhat protected by the €100million release clause in the striker’s contract, while he is under contract in Lisbon until 2029.
Pavlidis could be a top signing for West Ham
The Hammers require a rebuild in the summer transfer window, and could be set to witness as many as 15 departures ahead of next season.
Potter will be eager to build his own squad at the London Stadium to turn his side’s form around, while investing in the forward line should be a particular focus.
Former Borussia Dortmund man Niclas Fullkrug has not produced the sort of impact in the Premier League that West Ham had hoped for amid injury struggles.
Meanwhile, doubts remain over the future of long-serving forward Michail Antonio after he broke his leg in a car crash in December.
It is therefore vital that the Hammers recruit a new striker in the summer transfer window, while Pavlidis presents himself as a particularly strong option.
The Greece international is scoring for fun in Benfica colours and has notched eight goals in his last four Liga Portugal outings.