Top West Ham striker target Evan Guessand has made his feelings clear to Graham Potter after a high profile Zoom call but Wolverhampton Wanderers are a big problem.
But West Ham can’t afford to be complacent in the face of some welcome good news because Wolves are waiting to pounce for the in-demand hybrid striker.
There’s a saying ‘more money, more problems’ coined by the legendary rapper Notorious B.I.G.
In the case of West Ham and Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers, though, the opposite is true.
The Hammers have no money and plenty of problems.
West Ham and Wolves looked beaten over Guessand
Whereas Wolves are flush with cash – making them West Ham’s biggest problem right now.
Fans of the Irons and Wolves will be well aware of the mutual interest in Ivory Coast forward Evann Guessand.
The Nice striker, who can also operate out wide, is right at the top of Graham Potter’s striker wish list this summer transfer window.
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Wolves boss Vitor Pereira is a big fan too.
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v West Ham United FC - Premier League
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The Hammers identified Guessand as a top target as soon as Kyle Macaulay arrived at the club from Chelsea in January.
Potter and Macaulay have monitored Guessand’s performances and liked what they have seen with talks reportedly held about signing the 23-year-old this summer.
West Ham looked to have suffered a crushing blow when Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett revealed Wolves were pushing hard to beat West Ham to Guessand in what he described as a ‘fast-moving deal’ two weeks ago.
But there has been no progress and Pereira reportedly feels Wolves have other more pressing priorities before worrying about a new forward.
Guessand tells Potter what he wants to hear but Wolves lurk
The issue for Potter is that West Ham cannot take advantage as they don’t have the funds to be able to compete until a player or two are sold.
Meanwhile Wolves have money burning a hole in their pockets following the sales of Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
There have been two hugely significant developments in the last 24 hours, though.
Guessand has told Potter exactly what he wants to hear but Wolves give West Ham a problem.
Yesterday it was revealed Jose Mourinho was looking to throw a big spanner in the works for the Hammers and his fellow Portuguese Pereira.
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Shock as Mourinho Zoom call fails to turn Guessand’s head
Mourinho had a Zoom call with Guessand to try and persuade him to join Fenerbahce instead of the Irons or Molineux side.
What charismatic Mourinho wants, he more often than not gets.
But not this time.
Because a new report from France says Guessand has turned Mourinho down and is not interested in a move to Turkey.
Instead the striker has informed suitors he is making a move to the Premier League, or Germany, a top priority.
This is arguably the best news Potter has had all window so far.
As soon as it was reported Mourinho had added the personal touch to his attempts to sign Guessand, it looked like being game over for West Ham and Wolves.
West Ham must hope cash-rich Wolves don’t beat them to striker
This now opens the door again for the Hammers to bring in their prime forward target.
Wolves remain a big problem, though.
Because not only do they have the cash ready to go if necessary, L’Équipe understands Pereira very much remains interested.
The leading French outlet also doubles down again on Nice boss Franck Haise admitting Guessand will be sold amid interest from the Hammers and Wolves.
Guessand is not the only forward being linked with both West Ham and Wolves this summer, though.
Both clubs also reportedly like Lucas Stassin of relegated Etienne and Rangers’ Hamza Igamane.
Although West Ham have responded directly about reports they want Stassin and have held talks about signing the Belgian.