Hammers News - West Ham United FC

West Ham United face a big problem with Tottenham Hotspur eyeing up one specific summer transfer.

Both West Ham and Tottenham need to make some big statement signings this summer, with Graham Potter and Ange Postecoglou in desperate need of some real characters.

Hammers head coach Potter is said to be planning a big squad overhaul at the London Stadium this summer.

And boy do we need it.

However, with funds believed to be tight at the London Stadium, Potter is said to be chasing bargain basement deals.

Moves for soon-to-be free agents Angel Gomes and Jonathan David are being touted for West Ham in the summer.

If we somehow manage to sign those two players, our central midfield and centre-forward departments will be significantly stronger.

However, Potter will need to bolster his centre-back ranks at the London Stadium in the summer window as well.

The problem for the Hammers boss is that Tottenham manager Postecoglou is very much in the same boat.

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West Ham blow as Tottenham could sign Federico Gatti

Juventus centre-back Federico Gatti is said to be on the radars of both West Ham and Tottenham ahead of the summer window, according to a report from TV Play.

The Hammers were actually linked with a move to sign the 26-year-old centre-back in the summer of 2023, but he remained with the Turin giants in the end.

Described as ‘extraordinary’ by his teammate Danilo (Juve FC), the 26-year-old is a top-class centre-back.

I think he’d be a great addition to Potter’s ranks at the London Stadium, so Spurs’ interest in signing him will obviously be an inconvenience for us.

Amazingly, he worked as a bricklayer as a teenager and on into his early 20’s, whilst playing semi-pro football at the same time.

Gatti has scored one goal in 24 Serie A games for Juventus this season. During those appearances, the defender has averaged one tackle, three clearances and 1.4 successful aerial duels per match.

He has made 55.4 passes per game and has recorded a hugely impressive completion rate of 95.3% (Who Scored).

Crucially, Gatti has the physical capabilities to succeed in the Premier League.

He’s strong as an ox and is incredibly tenacious and aggressive in the tackle.

Federico Gatti would be a great signing for West Ham, but I fear that Tottenham may well beat us to his signature in the summer transfer window.

West Ham and Tottenham fighting for another top-class signing

Jonathan David will be available on a free transfer this summer, when his contract with Lille expires.

West Ham are pushing hard to sign the 25-year-old striker, but Spurs want him as well unfortunately.

The Hammers are crying out for more pace through the middle.

David would be absolutely perfect for Potter’s system, and his elite finishing and movement would take us to another level entirely.

Tottenham chasing his signature will make things very hard for West Ham though.

If I had to choose one signing out of Gatti and David, I would pick the striker all day long, and let Tottenham have the centre-back!

That’s not diminishing Gatti’s quality – he’d be a top-class signing for us. However, Jonathan David is edging towards world-class and his signing could be a transcending one for the Hammers.

Karren Brady has risked the wrath of West Ham fans by bragging about how the club “beat” bitter rivals Spurs to the London Stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy and West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady actually used to be good friends.

But their relationship soured when the London rivals did battle over the Olympic Stadium.

The tussle even resulted in court action over an alleged spying scandal where Brady was the target – as reported by BBC Sport at the time.

There is no love lost between West Ham and Tottenham at the best of times.

However, the stadium saga ensured relations in the boardroom turned particularly frosty.

West Ham were awarded the anchor tenancy of the ground, leaving their beloved Upton Park against the wishes of many fans back in 2016.

Since then the London Stadium has earned a reputation as one of the worst grounds in the Premier League.

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Meanwhile Tottenham moved on and built one of the best stadiums in the world right next to their former White Hart Lane home.

West Ham may have one of the biggest stadiums in the country, but it’s not without its problems.

One of the major grievances for Hammers fans about the ground has always been the distances between the upper and lower tiers in places and from the terraces to the pitch.

Is it any wonder given they have gone from Upton Park, where supporters were almost on top of the players on the pitch, to the bowl-shaped former Olympic Stadium.

Brady brags about how West Ham beat Spurs to stadium

Since moving to Stratford, there has been in-fighting, pitch invasions and protests with the stadium the issue at the heart of all the problems.

The biggest shift has been the atmosphere.

It has taken years of adjustment and the atmosphere has suffered.

West Ham are regularly taunted by their opponents – and especially Spurs – ‘you sold your soul for this s—hole’.

After a period of relative serenity, Hammers fans have been particularly vocal about their dislike of the stadium in recent weeks.

But it appears the club’s vice-chair is blissfully unaware.

Because Brady completely misses the point as she brags about how West Ham beat Spurs to the stadium most of their fans can’t stand.

Jack Sullivan, son of West Ham majority owner David Sullivan, has been co-hosting The Boardroom podcast with Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam.

Their guest this week was Brady and she opened up on the “battle” with Tottenham for the former Olympic Stadium.

But all she has done is prove Spurs dodged a massive bullet and had the right idea all along.

The Baroness proudly trumpets the fact West Ham agreed to keep the Olympic Legacy – the one thing which effectively prevents the London Stadium being a proper bona fide football arena.

And she says the Hammers won the race because Tottenham wanted to knock it down – something most West Ham fans feel their club should have pushed to do.

Brady misses point as Spurs were the real winners

“This was an opportunity of having the Olympic Stadium and so began the journey,” Brady said on The Boardroom, speaking from West Ham’s rented home.

“It began the journey of understanding that we had to tighten costs, grow revenue, build a brand, have a long term strategy, move into the stadium, get into Europe. You know those, those are all the things that we had on our wish list and those are the things we’ve we’ve done and we’ve achieved…

“I always make the decisions I believe are right for the right reasons, and coming here was the right decision for the right reason. I knew there would always be an element of supporters that didn’t want to.

“And people don’t like change. I mean, it’s true, most people want things to stay the same. But actually, without change you can’t evolve and this stadium has given us a platform on which we’ve continued to grow the club. It’s led us to win a European trophy, it’s given the opportunity for 35,000 families to come in here every match day.

“We have the cheapest season tickets despite being in a new stadium in London in the Premier League. We have the cheapest adult season ticket of £345. All of those things are possible because we’re here and all of the good work that we do in the community, the 10s and 10s of millions of pounds we invest locally is all because we are here.

“So l think you have to try and bring people on the journey with you. We tried really very hard. Lots of people are now used to the stadium. You get into new habits, you find new friends, you find new routes to getting here, new places, drinking and everything is calm. And people, I think, are now beginning to realise that it’s not stadiums that create atmospheres, it’s supporters. And they’ve had some brilliant nights here. And long may it continue.”

Tottenham plan was what most West Ham fans really wanted

Opening up on beating Spurs to the stadium, Brady said ‘we won it a few times and then we didn’t win, it was a bit like getting jilted at the altar’.

“We sort of made it all the way to the front and then sort of stood up, but it’s at those times you have to show your real test of character because a lot of people would have given up,” Brady added.

“It was tough, but we battened down the hatches, we carried on with it. We knew it was important, we knew our bid was the best and it was always the best and there were five criteria that they marked it against and we won in all five criteria against all of the other clubs that wanted it and we delivered the legacy.

“The park wouldn’t be as vibrant… so it was a long process. It wasn’t an easy process I mean, Spurs came in I think on the second or third round and were quite quickly dismissed because they didn’t want to keep the legacy. They didn’t want athletics. They wanted to knock it down.

“But we knew that all of the things that had been promised that this stadium would deliver would only be delivered with us here. We knew that we could fill it, that we could generate the revenues it needed to survive, that it had a focus and all of those things we’ve delivered.”

There is no love lost between West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur but their fans share something in common – they both want new owners.

West Ham supporters want majority owner David Sullivan to sell up.

Especially as it emerges that the Hammers are facing financial issues which will restrict their spending this summer.

With the team languishing down in 16th in the Premier League, the inability to invest in the team does not bode well.

Earlier this season boyhood Hammers fan Ray Parlour called on Sullivan to sell West Ham so the club can fulfil its true potential.

Tottenham fans are also sick to the back teeth of Daniel Levy and ENIC.

Spurs supporters held a protest calling for the owners to sell up at their game against Man United.

West Ham have been down that well trodden path before without any success.

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In November 2021 there was a ray of hope when Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky bought 27 per cent of West Ham, which pumped around £150m into the club.

The hope among Hammers fans was that Kretinsky would one day complete a full takeover, buying out Sullivan.

Spurs and West Ham fans want new owners

But Kretinsky, whose £13bn net worth helps make West Ham the third richest club in the Premier League in terms of ownership, confirmed last summer he has no interest in a full takeover.

Last summer The Sun’s Matt Hughes reported West Ham are one of six Premier League clubs using advisers Rothschild and Co to bring in fresh funds amid strict and restrictive new PSR rules.

Although West Ham denied that claim, saying new investment was meaningless as clubs can only spend what they generate under PSR.

Spurs have reportedly been targeted by PSG’s Qatari owners in the last year.

Meanwhile, West Ham’s Gold family stake was attracting interest from the Middle East and US but remains unsold 16 months after it was made available.

After Man City’s APT rules victory over the Premier League, the scope is there for clubs to arrange lucrative sponsorship deals under new owners like Arsenal with Emirates and Man City with Etihad.

A takeover can save West Ham but Spurs deal a crushing £420bn Qatari blow.

London rivals linked with Qatari takeovers

Takeover talk at West Ham has previously centred around the expiration of an embarrassment clause in the club’s deal with the LLDC as anchor tenants of the former Olympic Stadium, which the club famously fought Spurs over.

After losing out on the London 2012 arena in Stratford to West Ham, Tottenham Hotspur went ahead and built one of the best football stadiums in the world.

There was confirmation that mega rich Qataris had been buying up land and buildings around the Olympic Stadium, leading to tenuous suggestions in the press that West Ham were being primed for a future takeover.

Back in 2016, The Daily Mail reported that West Ham were being lined up for a takeover by the Qatar Investment Authority – who already owned the Olympic village. The same report said Spurs were also on the radar for Qatar ownership.

PSG’s Qatari owners were said to have held talks with Daniel Levy over investing in – or buying – Tottenham.

The Sun previously claimed Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani was eyeing West Ham should his attempts to buy Man United fail – which they ultimately did.

BBC journalist Simon Stone, who has strong sources at Old Trafford, name-checked both West Ham and Tottenham when claiming Sheikh Jassim will likely look to buy another Premier League club should his Man United bid fail.

At the time a top source close to Sullivan listed 10 reasons Spurs were much more likely to be taken over by Qataris than West Ham.

Now it seems that was prophetic.

Spurs deal West Ham a crushing £420bn Qatari blow

The Guardian is now reporting that QSI are considering scaling back their interests in France in favour of more international investment.

It comes days after it was reported that Levy has held talks with Qatari investors – private individuals, according to the reports – about a phased takeover of Spurs.

TBR has published a detailed report that the boss of the £420bn fortune is plotting a Premier League takeover with Levy and ENIC leaving the door open.

It is the latest crushing blow for West Ham fans, who just want their day in the sun with owners they feel they deserve.

A large section of supporters dislike the London Stadium intensely and look at the likes of Spurs and Everton with a great deal of envy.

The Hammers also have one of the worst training grounds in England’s top two divisions while Tottenham and a host of other clubs from Brighton to Leicester invest in state-of-the-art multi-million pound complexes.

An ambitious takeover could see those problems solved as well as potentially generating major new income through previously unattainable sponsorship deals.

But it seems bitter rivals Tottenham are now in line to win that particular battle.

West Ham United face a very big problem in the January transfer window, with Tottenham Hotspur set to throw a real spanner in the works.

Both West Ham and Tottenham are in desperate need of some new signings in the January window.

Hammers head coach Graham Potter and Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou are really short of numbers in key areas right now.

Many West Ham players won’t have a future under Potter, that much has been clear to see during his first two or three weeks in charge of the club.

Now it’s up to the 49-year-old to bring a couple of new signings in key areas to the London Stadium before Monday’s deadline.

The absolute priority for Potter should be to sign a striker within the next six days.

However, one of his key transfer plans could well be scuppered by our bitter rivals Tottenham.

Tottenham could hijack West Ham transfer in the January window

The Hammers could be dealt a major blow by Spurs this winter.

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It seems like West Ham and Tottenham are both in the hunt for the same striker.

However, the man in question is apparently keen to move to north London, rather than the East End.

According to De Telegraaf reporter Mike Verweij via Voetbal Primeur, Ajax forward Brian Brobbey wants to join Tottenham in the January window.

That will obviously be a major issue for West Ham.

Described as unstoppable, Brobbey can be absolutely unplayable on his day, although he seems to have regressed slightly this season.

That’s no issue as far as I’m concerned – progress for young strikers is very seldom linear.

I strongly believe that Brobbey would be a transformational signing for West Ham, so losing out on his signature to Tottenham would be a real catastrophic blow for us.

Brian Brobbey is exactly what we need at West Ham

The Ajax forward may have only scored three goals this season, but he is absolutely electric.

He proved last season with Ajax that he has what it takes to make it at the very highest level, with 18 goals and 10 assists in 30 Eredivisie games (Transfermarkt).

Brobbey possesses blistering acceleration speed and he is as strong as an ox.

He’s the perfect striker for us in the sense that he is well equipped to hold the ball up with his back to goal, but he can also run the channels and stretch the opposition’s defence.

The Dutchman isn’t the best technically, but he will definitely be able to improve on that as he gets older and develops a better understanding of the game.

If there is any chance whatsoever of signing Brian Brobbey in the January transfer window, West Ham simply have to make it happen.

However, the fact that the 22-year-old is keen to join Tottenham instead of the Hammers will obviously represent a very big problem for us.

West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur are involved in two separate transfer battles for a striker and a midfielder.

It will surprise nobody that West Ham and Tottenham are looking for signings in the January transfer window.

One look at the Premier League table tells you why that is.

Given their respective squads, the Hammers and Spurs being 14th and 15th in the league at this stage of the season is unacceptable.

Julen Lopetegui has paid the price for West Ham’s failings, being replaced by Graham Potter.

The new Hammers boss was reportedly on Tottenham’s radar as they were deliberating what to do about Ange Postecoglou.

Pressure is building on Daniel Levy after yet another Spurs defeat, this time at home to Leicester.

Not only to sack Postecoglou but sign players.

The same pressure is on David Sullivan given West Ham’s injury issues and poor squad composition – for which technical director Tim Steidten has also paid the price with his own job.

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A new striker and new midfielder is being sought by both the Irons and Tottenham.

That has put the London rivals on a collision course for Lille’s Angel Gomes.

Gomes is able to sign a pre-contract agreement with Premier League clubs this month for a free transfer in the summer.

West Ham and Spurs battling for two stars

Reports this week claimed Gomes has made his choice over his next club.

But Gomes broke his silence on claims he has chosen Spurs over West Ham.

Meanwhile West Ham have also been trying to fend off Tottenham for striker Brian Brobbey.

It has been reported Spurs have tried to hijack West Ham’s move for 22-year-old striker Brobbey.

The powerful Dutch forward flew to London for talks on Friday night.

But it emerged that West Ham looked set to win the Brobbey race as Spurs and Roma pulled out.

Negotiations have become protracted between the Hammers and Ajax, though.

West Ham only want an option to buy on their loan deal while the Dutch club want it to be an obligation.

West Ham’s hesitancy has left the door ajar for Tottenham.

It also comes after Ajax legend Frank de Boer ripped into West Ham’s move for Brobbey, questioning the striker’s ability to cut it in the Premier League.

But now an ex Spurs hero says West Ham are about to beat them to an absolute sensation.

Rafael van der Vaart knows all about Ajax having come through their Academy and going on to make 150 appearances for them.

Van der Vaart enjoyed an excellent spell with Tottenham too.

Ex Spurs hero says West Ham are about to beat them to sensation

And he completely disagrees with De Boer.

Van der Vaart has revealed he has heard West Ham are going to sign Brobbey not Tottenham.

The former Holland midfielder says West Ham are getting a player he believes will ‘100 per cent be a sensation’.

“I believe in this guy so much, but somehow it just doesn’t work out. I don’t know why,” Van der Vaart said on Studio Voetbal.

“But if someone pays that amount (£25-30m) and he can go to West Ham, then I would let him go immediately.

“But I’ll tell you, if he goes there, he will be a sensation. Trust me, 100 per cent.”

Whether Van der Vaart’s emphatic backing will spark a renewed push for Brobbey from his former club Tottenham remains to be seen.

You would think a player of his class, who also played for the likes of Real Madrid, knows talent when he sees it.

Brobbey certainly has the attributes West Ham are missing up front.

He is perfect for the high-pressing, high intensity approach Potter is implementing.

Brobbey’s hold-up play is also excellent.

His finishing has been questioned. But he is an unselfish player who has seven assists this season to make up for only netting three goals.

And last term he did net 20 goals and laid on eight assists.

West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur have been jostling behind the scenes to secure the signature of a coveted star this January.

There’s not much to choose between West Ham and Tottenham this season.

The London rivals are enduring torrid Premier League campaigns.

That has cost Julen Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten their jobs at West Ham.

It could soon cost Ange Postecoglou his job at Spurs.

Pressure has been piling on Hammers majority owner David Sullivan and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

Fans of both clubs have been highly critical of Levy and Sullivan.

Supporters are demanding their club brings players in during the January transfer window to try and salvage their respective seasons.

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That has put West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur on a collision course for one player in particular.

West Ham and Spurs battling for coveted star Gomes

West Ham have been talking to the representatives of versatile England midfielder Angel Gomes.

But West Ham’s hopes of a deal were put in jeopardy by Spurs this week.

Journalist Graeme Bailey revealed Graham Potter has asked West Ham’s owners to bring him Gomes.

The Lille midfielder can sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside of France this month for a free transfer in the summer.

Bailey claimed Sullivan has been pushing to give what he wants.

But no sooner were the Hammers making enquiries than Tottenham were linked with the versatile 24-year-old Gomes too.

Word from agent sources in the last week suggested West Ham looked set to win the race with Graham Potter desperate to improve his slow, ageing, immobile midfield.

A senior source inside West Ham has confirmed to Hammers News that negotiations have been taking place with Gomes’ agents Gol International.

But Tottenham have made it clear they want Edmonton-born Gomes too, putting any Hammers deal in danger.

Gomes breaks silence on claims he’s chosen Spurs over West Ham

In fact it’s been claimed by Give Me Sport that Gomes has made his preference clear and wants to join Tottenham over the Irons.

Now the coveted star has broken his silence on the claim he’s chosen to join Spurs over West Ham.

Gomes, who impressed as a midfield lynchpin for England recently, has been speaking exclusively to Fabrizio Romano about the links to West Ham and Tottenham.

When it was put to him he had chosen his next destination – namely Spurs – Gomes issued a clear response.

He knows the clubs mentioned are interested in signing him.

But he is focusing only on Lille for the rest of the season and will make a decision on his next club then.

“I’m aware of clubs inquiring about my situation, but I’m now completely focused on Lille,” Gomes told Romano.

“I want to finish the season in the best way possible and then we will see what happens.

“I’m focused on the present and not on negotiations.”

One thing that does seem clear is Gomes won’t be staying at Lille.

Amid his contract situation, the former Man United academy graduate has found himself on the bench for the Ligue 1 club of late.

Gomes can play in a multitude of positions in midfield and seems the ideal signing for Potter.

West Ham may have an advantage with the uncertainty over Postecoglou.

Should Tottenham change manager that may well see the focus shift away from Gomes.

He clearly won’t be leaving Lille in this window and it seems West Ham will have to wait until the end of the season to learn the player’s big decision.

West Ham United have to act now, after Tottenham Hotspur made a January window move for one of our key transfer targets.

Both West Ham and Tottenham are expected to be busy in the January transfer window.

Graham Potter has a seriously tough task on his hands, if he is to get the Hammers firing again.

He has already admitted that he wants to make some new signings this month, but that might be difficult

That said, the arrival of Kyle Macaulay is expected to coincide with a flurry of transfer activity at the London Stadium.

West Ham now have to make a big statement because Tottenham have made the first move for someone who would be completely transformational for us.

The time is now, there are no excuses for the Hammers.

We know the money is there and available after all, we have already made a £57 million bid for Jhon Duran.

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Tottenham make January window bid, West Ham must act

Spurs have laid down the gauntlet to the Hammers it seems.

That’s because they’ve made the first move for someone who would be absolutely perfect for us.

Richard Rios is someone who West Ham have been chasing for a while now.

However, our bitter rivals Spurs have now apparently entered the fray for his signature.

According to Portal Do Palmeirense, Rios has been the subject of a bid from Tottenham – one that has been rejected by Palmeiras.

He could be available for around £16.8 million (Give Me Sport).

Now the Hammers have to act – Rios would be absolutely perfect for us. We have already dealt with Palmeiras recently, when we signed Luis Guilherme in the summer.

So we should have fairly straightforward channels of communication with them.

We haven’t had a powerful and athletic ball-carrier in our midfield since Declan Rice left to join Arsenal in the summer of 2023.

The Colombia international could change all of that in an instant though, what with his raw power and outstanding stamina.

Rios is a sensational dribbler, and he possesses impeccably tight ball control.

Standing at 6ft 2in tall with energy, power, dynamism and athleticism in abundance, he can beat the opposition’s press with ease.

The Colombia international clearly possesses the physical attributes needed to succeed in the Premier League.

He’s extremely tenacious and aggressive in the tackle as well.

Signing Richard Rios should be a no-brainer for West Ham in the January transfer window, and we must ensure that we beat Tottenham to his services.

There was late night relief for West Ham in the transfer battle with rivals Spurs and Italian giants Roma for Brian Brobbey.

West Ham had looked set to sign Ajax striker Brian Brobbey unopposed.

The move looked set to bring an end to West Ham’s desperate search for a new forward and first signing for Graham Potter.

But then rivals Tottenham Hotspur entered the equation.

As West Ham dithered over a deal with Ajax demanding an obligation to buy or permanent deal, Tottenham swooped yesterday.

Ange Postecoglou warned Daniel Levy Spurs were taking a huge gamble not signing anyone after a six-week lay-off for Dominic Solanke was confirmed.

But the Australian insisted Tottenham were actively looking to bring in a forward.

At the same time it was reported Spurs were trying to hijack West Ham’s move for 22-year-old striker Brobbey.

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The prospect of missing out to Tottenham angered Hammers fans.

Then word emerged from Italy that Roma were also threatening their hopes of landing the powerful and pacy striker.

West Ham relief after Spurs pull out of Brobbey battle

But there’s West Ham relief after Spurs pull out of the Brobbey battle and Roma admit defeat as the star jets in.

Late last night Fabrizio Romano confirmed Tottenham Hotspur have given up on competing with the Hammers for the Dutchman.

Romano said Tottenham are not expected to proceed with any bid or formal contact for Brobbey after asking for deal conditions.

The transfer reporter than confirmed West Ham remain in contact and are keen on getting it done with Ajax demanding the inclusion of an obligation to buy clause.

Reports in Italy then emerged claiming Roma were rivalling West Ham for Brobbey and had also held initial talks with Ajax.

Interest from the Italians was shortlived, though.

Because Dutch journalist Mike Verweij has revealed Brobbey flew to London last night ahead of an expected move to the London Stadium.

Telegraf journalist Verweij says Brobbey was spotted in London yesterday evening after the striker boarded the plane at Schiphol at 6.50pm.

Verweij said it was unknown which club Brobbey was meeting and whether the trip was to arrange a transfer as his agent declined to comment.

But Hammers News understands terms have already been agreed with the striker with only the details of the deal with Ajax remaining to be sorted.

Roma admit defeat as star jets to London for Hammers talks

The expectation is that will be done and Brobbey will then be able to have a medical while in London.

Brobbey ruled out Roma as he is keen to move to the Premier League.

But in an update yesterday, Verweij warned West Ham that they needed to hurry up getting a deal done.

Because Ajax want money to reinvest in the team. So any offers of a permanent deal from rival clubs would be a more attractive option for them.

Some West Ham fans have been divided over the move for Brobbey.

That is based on his record so far this season in which he has four goals and six assists compared to 28 goals and assists last term.

What is key here, though, is that Brobbey possesses the ket attributes West Ham are missing up front.

Most important, though, is Potter’s view.

The Hammers have been deliberating over a host of striker targets since Potter’s arrival earlier this month.

West Ham’s owners confirmed Potter had not been keen on many of the options presented to him thus far.

But Brobbey is the striker the new manager wants. And that should be all that matters.

West Ham have been talking to the representatives of versatile England midfielder Angel Gomes but a deal is in jeopardy because of Spurs.

There has been a major development in the battle to sign Lille midfielder Angel Gomes.

It has put bitter rivals West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur on a collision course for the ex Man United ace.

Journalist Graeme Bailey revealed Graham Potter has asked West Ham’s owners to bring him Gomes.

The diminutive midfielder can sign a pre-contract agreement this month for a free transfer in the summer.

But Bailey claimed the Hammers were really pushing to give Potter what he wants.

Tottenham have been linked with 24-year-old Edmonton-born Gomes too.

However, word from agent sources in the last week has suggested West Ham looked set to win the race with Potter desperate to improve his slow, ageing, immobile midfield.

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There has even been talk the Hammers were close to agreeing a pre-contract deal to lock Gomes in ahead of officially joining on July 1st.

West Ham in talks with Gomes but Spurs put deal in danger

A significant issue has emerged which could end West Ham’s hopes of signing the Lille man, though.

West Ham are locked in talks with Gomes but Spurs have put the deal in danger.

Hammers News has had confirmation from a senior source inside West Ham that negotiations have been taking place with Gomes’ agents Gol International.

Talk that the Irons are close to pulling off what would be a major coup are jumping the gun, though.

Hammers News understands no deal is anywhere close as yet.

And the reason is because rivals Tottenham have now ramped up their own bid to bring Gomes back to London.

Tottenham had asked to be ‘kept in the loop’ over Gomes’ situation prior to the January transfer window opening.

Spurs have been deliberating making a move which might even see Gomes join them this month for a small fee rather than sign a pre-contract for the summer.

Gomes earns £11,000 per week at Lille.

So bettering his wages won’t be an issue for the Hammers or Tottenham.

However, Gomes is reportedly hoping to seal a mammoth wage of between £120k-150k per week given his status as a free agent and homegrown player.

That is within West Ham’s wage structure with Lucas Paqueta currently the club’s highest paid player on £150k per week.

Hammers News understands Spurs were informed West Ham were pushing hard to agree a deal.

And as a result Daniel Levy has made it clear to Gomes’ representatives that Tottenham are eager to sign him too.

“Talks are ongoing but nothing is close and there’s competition given his status,” a senior source told Hammers News.

“Tottenham are a big problem now.”

A player like Gomes ticks an awful lot of boxes for Potter. A midfielder who loves the ball, can hold and distribute it with ease and dictate the flow and tempo of a game.

Gomes made a big impact when he was brought into the England setup by Lee Carsley.

He is ready-made for a Potter team but West Ham certainly aren’t close to sealing a deal now Spurs have made their presence felt.

The only hope West Ham have is that Gomes realises Potter will build his team around him.

Whereas at Spurs, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray were signed in the summer with a view to being the club’s long-term central midfield pairing.

Tottenham are spoilt for choice there already with Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma all fighting for places too.

Game time will be guaranteed at West Ham, whereas Gomes faces being a squad player at Tottenham.

Much may come down to who is prepared to offer the better salary.

Any pre-contract agreement must be signed by February 3rd.

West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be chasing the same player in the January transfer window.

Julen Lopetegui and Ange Postecoglou are the two most under-pressure managers in the Premier League right now, with West Ham and Tottenham both having really struggled this season.

Lopetegui’s comments after our 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday only wound up the West Ham fans even more, rather than give us any kind of hope or faith.

Postecoglou is in the same boat at Spurs. He’s being ripped apart by some sections of their fanbase right now.

I wouldn’t be surprised one little bit if both managers were out of a job within the next week or so.

However, if they do both remain at their respective clubs, some big signings will need to be made in the January transfer window in order to help swing things back in their favour.

A big boost is needed at the London Stadium with a couple of January arrivals.

The same can be said for Tottenham, and it seems as though one player in particular has made his mind up regarding which club he wants to join out of the two this winter.

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Tottenham and West Ham chasing January window signing

Whether or not Lopetegui is still in charge of West Ham after our FA Cup clash with Aston Villa on Friday remains to be seen.

However, that’s immaterial as far as I’m concerned.

The Hammers’ main priority should be strengthening our ranks at the London Stadium before the January window slams shut.

There are so many different departments that need to be addressed.

In my opinion though, central midfield is one specific area where we’re particularly weak, and the addition of a powerful, box-to-box midfielder should be our top priority.

Since the Hammers old Declan Rice to Arsenal in the summer of 2023, we have lacked any kind of pace, power or athleticism in the engine room.

That has to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

Nicolo Fagioli is one player who is said to be on the Hammers radar this winter, but Spurs are chasing him as well.

And now the 23-year-old Italian has allegedly made up his mind regarding which club he actually wants to join in the January window.

Will it be Tottenham or West Ham for Nicolo Fagioli

It appears that the Juventus midfielder is keen to join Tottenham instead of any other club this winter, according to the likes of Tuttosport.

That’s not as bad news as you might think for West Ham. We don’t have to waste our time anymore, and can now prioritise other targets.

I only want players at the London Stadium who want to play for West Ham.

Surely we’ve learnt from the Jean-Clair Todibo saga that it simply isn’t worth trying to force players to join us.

If their heart isn’t in it, it will never work out.

The Juventus star is still a very talented player nevertheless.

Described as an ‘undeniably supreme talent’ by Total Football Analysis, Fagioli has absolutely everything needed to succeed at the very highest level of the game.

That said, it is worth remembering that he received and served a seven-month ban last season after being found guilty of betting breaches.

Good luck to Nicolo Fagioli if decides to join Tottenham instead of West Ham in the January transfer window – I certainly won’t be losing any sleep over it.