West Ham United have reportedly decided which two Chelsea stars they want to sign this summer and have launched an official enquiry as Graham Potter’s plan becomes clear.
That’s according to a top journalist, who claims the Hammers are now moving forward in their pursuit of two Stamford Bridge outcasts.
West Ham held talks with Chelsea over a host of players earlier this month.
The Blues were offered Hammers ace Mohammed Kudus while the possibility of Chelsea paying their £25m obligation clause for Jadon Sancho and instantly flipping him to east London was also raised.
West Ham and Chelsea back and forth continues
Chelsea are still mulling over signing Kudus from the Hammers according to Sky Sports’ top reporter.
They ended up paying a £5m levy to send Sancho back to Man United.
But their intention to sign Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund suggests their mind is made up on Kudus and West Ham will have to hope they can offload the Ghanaian elsewhere.
Hammers News exclusively revealed that Chelsea floated the names of a number of players to West Ham during the Kudus discussions with a view to a possible swap plus cash deal or, in some instances, straight sale.
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It was revealed midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – who was linked the moment Graham Potter took over West Ham in January – and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez – who played under Potter at Brighton – were two of the players brought up in talks.
Blues Carney Chukwuemeka, Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah were also names raised.
There is an argument that every single one of those Chelsea back-up players improves West Ham’s first team.
Having released Lukasz Fabianski, the goalkeeper situation at Stamford Bridge has been of particular interest to Potter.
West Ham tell Chelsea their choice as enquiry launched for duo
This week it was reported Chelsea had decided to sell either Sanchez or Djordje Petrovic – the 25-year-old Serbian star who they loaned out to sister club Strasbourg last season where he was named player of the year.
It then emerged that the Blues are backing Sanchez after his strong end to the season.
And Petrovic, who has also been linked with the Hammers, wants to leave for pastures new.
So much so he asked to be left out of Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad so he can sort a permanent exit from Stamford Bridge to a club where he will be the number one.
Now West Ham have told Chelsea their choice with enquiry for duo and a big Kudus update.
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That’s according to top journalist Matt Law.
Speaking on the London is Blue podcast, Telegraph journalist Law delivered the latest on talks between West Ham and Chelsea over Kudus.
But he also revealed the Hammers have made their interest in Dewsbury-Hall and Petrovic known to Chelsea.
“Look, there’s historical (Chelsea) interest in Kudus from a couple of years ago,” Law said.
“He’s not a (traditional) winger but… if they can move out (Joao) Felix and (Christopher) Nkunku they feel there’s a slot for a versatile forward and they would like someone with a little bit more pizzazz to them, a bit more pace, a bit more directness than they offered.
Hammers want Dewsbury-Hall and Petrovic – plus Kudus latest
“Someone who can basically play around a striker – and if you’ve got some kind of striker injury crisis – someone who can fill in better than they did.
“I actually think Kudus would be more in that conversation as a versatile forward, who could play off a front man and in an emergency might be able to play up front as well so he would fit in to that.
“Kudus has got an £80m release clause that runs out at some point – they’re not going to pay that for him. They were interested a couple of years ago.
“I think West Ham are interested in a few Chelsea players who might be allowed to leave, Petrovic could end up being one and potentially Dewsbury-Hall.
“Chelsea would only be interested in that conversation and would only be interested if West Ham were selling at considerably lower than the £80m release clause.”