The truth behind a Chelsea star’s omission from their Club World Cup squad has come to light and it is seriously exciting for West Ham.
West Ham can only watch on with envy at Chelsea’s ravenous ambition in the transfer market.
While the Hammers insist they can only spend a percentage of any money they raise through sales, money is no object for the Blues.
There could be an upside to Chelsea’s latest squad improvement exercise for West Ham, though.
Hammers chief David Sullivan is banking on Mohammed Kudus bringing in the most significant funds to pay for Graham Potter’s rebuild.
Potter has it all to prove at the London Stadium after an inauspicious first 19 games in charge following his return to football 20 months after being sacked by Chelsea.
Big upside to Chelsea ambition for West Ham
But the 50-year-old is working in a completely different financial landscape at West Ham than he was at Stamford Bridge.
Shipping out Kudus and a number of others for decent fees will dictate what Potter can do in the summer transfer window, which reopens on Monday.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
West Ham have held talks with Chelsea over a possible deal for Kudus.
The Blues are said to be still mulling over signing Kudus from the Hammers – but their move for Jamie Gittens – which is expected to be resurrected next week – suggests that may not happen.
A number of Chelsea players were floated to West Ham when talks were held about Kudus.
There has not been much to shout about for the Hammers in the early knockings of this vital window.
But there might be now.
Chelsea Training and Press Conference
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Because the real reason a Chelsea star is not in their Club World Cup squad is seriously exciting for West Ham.
One of the players who came up during talks between the Hammers and Chelsea was goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Sanchez worked with Potter at Brighton and the Hammers need a replacement for released veteran Lukasz Fabianski while high-earning £120k per week Alphonse Areola is also being linked with a move to Espanyol.
Nothing came of those initial talks.
Chelsea star’s Club World Cup truth is exciting for West Ham
But there was an interesting development earlier this week when it was reported Chelsea have now decided they will sell Sanchez or Djordje Petrovic this summer.
That gives West Ham the choice of two goalkeepers – Petrovic being the much more attractive option given he is still only 25 and was named player of the year on loan at Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg.
Previously it was expected Chelsea would want to hang on to the big Serbian.
But the report outlined Chelsea plan to sell one of Sanchez or Petrovic – and now there’s been a major development.
After missing out on Caoimhin Kelleher to Bournemouth and not being in the mix to sign Kepa before Arsenal made a move, bagging a top young ‘keeper like Petrovic would be a superb way to start West Ham’s window business.
And Petrovic is there on a silver platter for Sullivan and co after an update from journalist Matt Law.
Serbia v Andorra - European Qualifiers Group K - FIFA World Cup 2026
Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images
Petrovic asked to be left out to sort move where he’s number one
In an exclusive for The Telegraph, Law claims Petrovic was not snubbed by Enzo Maresca for the Club World Cup squad.
In actual fact he asked to be left out so he can focus on sorting out a permanent move away from Chelsea.
It gets even better for West Ham and their plans to replace Fabianski and sign a new number one.
Because Petrovic’s main aim when sorting his move is to ensure he is the first choice goalkeeper.
Many West Ham fans were not keen on Sanchez given some of the difficulties he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.
But while Chelsea mull over whether to follow up their interest in AC Milan and France star Mike Maignan, Law claims the club have reiterated their faith in Sanchez and fellow Blues goalkeepers Filip Jorgensen and Mike Penders.
All three have been included in the Club World Cup squad.
That means West Ham now have the very realistic possibility of signing Petrovic.
The only thing stopping a deal is the cash to pay the first instalment.
But if the Hammers can offload a Nayef Aguerd or Maxwel Cornet soon then it would give them a fantastic chance.
Especially as Petrovic could remain in London and knows he would be the guaranteed number one.