Reliable transfer source ExWHUEmployee revealed last Saturday that Fikayo Tomori is now a transfer target for the Hammers, as a deal for Jean-Claire Todibo has seemed to have stalled amid interest from Juventus. Although it remains to be seen if AC Milan are willing to part ways with the Englishman and are likely to price West Ham out of any sort of deal.
West Ham have been busy during the summer window and have made three permanent signings in exciting Brazilian youngster Luis Guilherme, veteran backup goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and Maximilian Kilman from Premier League rivals Wolves.
In recent news over the last few days, Tim Steidten has full focus on bringing in Aston Villa striker Jhon Durán to the London Stadium with the 20-year-old keen to join the Hammers, with the opportunity of more regular first team football.
Duran scored 6 goals last season in all competitions, and looks physically ready to lead the Hammers’ frontline and provide stern competition toMichail Antonio.
Although, it has been reported that West Ham are currently unwilling to pay the £35 million transfer fee for the Columbian striker, but with Duran keen to play for the Hammers, a deal may be pushed through later on in the window.
West Ham are also interested in a whole host of defenders, with Julen Lopetegui keen to improve on the defence that conceded 74 league goals last term. In particular, Kyle-Walker Peters, Aaron Wan Bissaka and Noussair Mazraoui are the main targets for the right-back spot, although the former is wanted by Manchester United.
Although this could have a domino effect in West Ham getting Wan-Bissaka, and it appears the Manchester club have lowered their price for the 26-year old defender.
It is reported that current stars Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez, who were former teammates of Mazraoui, are reportedly trying to convince the Moroccan to make the move over to East London, according to ExWHUEmployee.
In central defence, a deal for Todibo remains unclear as the player is still waiting for Juventus to agree a deal with Nice, even though the Hammers have agreed terms with the French club. This has led to the recruitment team identifying other targets in former Chelsea man Tomori, although according to ExWHUEmployee yesterday (23rd July) that a transfer is unlikely at this stage as AC Milan are not keen on selling.
Trevor Chalobah is also a key target and has also been left out of the Chelsea pre-season tour in USA and it has been reported today (24th July) by Fabrizio Romano that Chelsea want at least £30m for the defender, which may also put West Ham off any sort of permanent deal.
West Ham are also monitoring RB Salzburg defender Oumar Solet, who only has a year left on his contract. Although the 24-year old is wanted by several clubs across Europe which may make a deal diffifcult for the East London outfit.
A left winger is also high on the Hammers’ wish list with Reiss Nelson, Jota Silva and Crysencio Summerville the main targets who are to fill the void in the squad left by Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma. West Ham have held initial talks with Leeds over a transfer for Summerville, but the deal is seen to be too expensive at this current stage and may be revisited later on in the window.
It seems that West Ham will remain busy throughout the transfer window as they look to bolster their squad to prepare for the Premier League, which they can fully focus on due to missing out on European football for the first time in four seasons.
