Amidst the many leaks and reports about players West Ham are tracking this summer window, several names that were consistently linked with the club are now seemingly off the radar. Speculation continues as to whether this is due to the club currently operating without a [Technical Director,](https://www.claretandhugh.info/flop-fulkrug-out-to-prove-steidten-was-right-all-along/) which may be stalling progress on any potential deals.
With Graham Potter in desperate need of cover at right- back and possibly left-back, should Emerson depart, the club have denied they are interested in free agent Kyle Walker-Peters despite his flexibility to play on both flanks.
Elsewhere, central midfielder Yunus Musah, who has been linked to West Ham for a number of years looks set to begin talks with Nottingham Forest. AC Milan have slapped a £20m price on the players head. Although West Ham have scouted Musah in the past, it’s understood that Graham Potter is not pursuing him.
Raphael Onyedika at Club Brugge has also been mentioned, and is in the last year of his contract at the Belgium club. However one source claims that West Ham have denied interest. A lack of decisive action has already seen West Ham miss out on two highly rated youngsters – Swiss sensation Ardon Jashari who is reportedly set to join AC Milan, and Habib Diarra who is signing for Sunderland in a £30m deal from Strasbourg.
The Hammers were also looking to close a deal for Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey, yet have fallen behind Tottenham who are reportedly close to finalising a deal.
In attack with the impending departure of Michail Antonio, the club are left with only one recognised senior striker, Niclas Fullkrug. Links to Lucas Stassin are correct, yet West Ham have not followed this up with any offer to AS St Etienne. Meanwhile, other clubs are circling, with RC Lens offering a loan to buy deal, yet St Etienne are holding out for a full £15m sale. Even more frustrating, a long-time Tim Steidten striker target Igor Jésus will now join Nottingham Forest at the end of the CONCACAF finals.
The transfer window still has some way to go, with plenty more twists and turns expected before it closes on Monday September 1st. Perhaps after years of leaking interest in all and sundry, the Hammers have finally wised up and are keeping their moves quiet? How we wish this were true – but experience suggests otherwise: Time will tell.