After denting their title hopes last time out, West Ham United are now reportedly eyeing the chance to hijack Arsenal’s move to sign a defensive target worth just £21m this summer.
West Ham transfer news
West Ham will certainly be an interesting side to watch when the summer arrives. Whilst they were among the busiest clubs last year, they’re yet to see the fruits of their labour and have since swapped Julen Lopetegui for Graham Potter. Whether those at the London Stadium take the same approach this time around remains to be seen, but the West Ham squad has some undeniable weaknesses.
The most prominent of those weaknesses comes within Potter’s frontline. With Niclas Fullkrug failing to bring his Borussia Dortmund form to the Premier League and Michail Antonio on his way back from an injury sustained in a horror car crash at the end of last year, the Hammers desperately need a star striker to arrive this summer.
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Meanwhile, the Hammers could also do with an upgrade down the left-hand side of their backline in place of Emerson Palmieri, who found himself benched in victory over Arsenal last time out. And that could yet see one impressive option arrive.
According to Tuttosport, as relayed by Sports Witness, West Ham are now eyeing the chance to hijack Arsenal’s move to sign Maxim de Cupyer, who Club Brugge reportedly value at €25m (£21m) this summer.
The left-back has also attracted the attention of AC Milan, though it’s Arsenal who seemingly lead the race for his signature after making contact ahead of both West Ham and the Italian giants.
There’s still plenty of time for that to change, however. Having defeated Arsenal on the pitch, West Ham could yet swoop in and deal the Gunners an added blow away from the action.
“Excellent” De Cuyper could replace Emerson
After Aaron Wan-Bissaka arrived to jump ahead of Vladimir Coufal in the pecking order last summer, De Cuyper could now leave Emerson facing the same fate when the window swings open. A younger option who’s at the peak of his powers, the Club Brugge man could ensure that Potter’s first summer in charge gets off to the perfect start.
Previously dubbed an “excellent progressive passer” by analyst Ben Mattinson, the Belgian is exactly the type of player who should thrive in Potter’s system, which often features a slow, risky build-up with the chance to earn the greatest rewards.
At 30 years old, meanwhile, Emerson is a player likely to move beyond his peaks in the coming years and his place on the West Ham bench last time out could be a sign of things to come.
In a deal that would see them get one over on London rivals Arsenal, West Ham would be wise to step up their pursuit of De Cuyper.
