Shifting focus back to potential arrivals after official appointment Graham Potter as a manager, West Ham United are reportedly trying to hijack Napoli’s move to sign the towering midfielder this month.
West Ham transfer news
With Potter secured, one of the many remaining questions is who will be the first arrival of the new era at the London Stadium. Even names like Marcus Rashford they have already been mentioned, but it remains to be seen if the Hammers are in a position to convince relegated Manchester United into a January move to a team like Milan.
The new manager will be looking to get off to a good start both on and off the pitch and begin to revive his reputation as a result of his failures at Chelsea. Potter addressed West Ham fans for the first time since putting pen to paper, telling the club’s official website: “West Ham United is a huge club, in the heart of London, with a huge fan base and huge support around the world.
“I saw the scenes that followed their victory in the 2023 European Conference League and it was clear that this is a club with everything in place to become consistently successful, on and off the pitch.
“The club has made a lot of good progress in recent years and ensured that there are very strong foundations to build on. You don’t win a European trophy by accident – there has to be a good foundation in a football club for that to happen and now the challenge is to take that and make the next steps, develop a team and a club that the fans can be proud of.”
Connected
Meanwhile, after turning to a familiar face in the technical area, those at the London Stadium could do the same in the heart of their midfield.
According to the Danish publication Ekstra Bladet, West Ham are now trying to poach Napoli to sign Philip Billing from Bournemouth before the end of the January transfer window in a deal that would significantly boost Potter’s midfield mobility.
However, the Hammers face a race against time if they are to secure the Dane’s signature with Napoli reportedly closing in on a loan deal with an option to buy at the end of the campaign.
“Diligent” Billing would be a partner for Soucek
Standing at an incredible 6 foot 6, Billing he would finally replace Declan Rice’s mobility in the center of West Ham’s midfield alongside Edson Alvarez, which could be a key addition at the start of Potter’s tenure.
Meanwhile, if there’s any concern that the Dane isn’t as talented in possession as he is off it, Previous praise of Andoni Iraola should alleviate those concerns.
The Bournemouth manager described the midfielder as “hard working” at the end of last season and claimed he had scored some “important goals” in a solid campaign for the Cherries.
Now, however, Bournemouth’s loss could be West Ham’s gain as they look to pounce on Napoli’s move and finally replace Rice in the process.
