West Ham are said to be ‘poised’ to bid for a target man who impressed in the European Under 21 Championship hot on the heels of ongoing negotiations for a new defender.
West Ham United’s window has finally come to life after a stagnant first month saw no signings arrive.
The Hammers are hopefully starting July as they mean to go on.
Graham Potter has been relegated to a mere bystander in the summer transfer window so far with West Ham insisting they must sell to buy.
The West Ham boss signed off last season telling fans to expect an “exciting and interesting” window.
Now it seems the Irons are finally going to try and make good on that promise.
Potter wants to drastically lower the age of the Premier League’s oldest squad.
The 50-year-old has made it clear he wants to rebuild West Ham around young, dynamic talent who can grow together as a team and retain future resale value in this modern era of PSR.
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The Hammers are paying a heavy price for investing far too much money in players aged between 26-32 in recent years.
It is one of the major reasons Mohammed Kudus is among the club’s only players worth a substantial amount of money.
At least one quality young striker, a new-look midfield, a new centre-back, new left-back and a new goalkeeper are all on West Ham’s summer shopping list.
Hammers fans have been growing increasingly restless at the club’s lack of transfer activity in recent days and weeks.
England v Senegal - International Friendly
Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Especially as many Premier League rivals start to leave West Ham behind.
But with one month down and two to go in this bumper three-month window, there is finally some positive news coming out of the London Stadium.
West Ham’s window has burst into life with a Euro Under 21 target man next as defender talks begin.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that West Ham have had an initial proposal rejected for Slavia Prague and Senegal left-back-cum-wingback El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The Hammers offered around £17.5m for the 20-year-old.
But Romano says Slavia Prague – with whom the Hammers have good relations following the signings of Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal – value the player at higher price with more clubs keen on signing him.
🚨⚒️ EXCL: West Ham had a proposal rejected in the recent days for El Hadji Malick Diouf worth around €20m.
SK Slavia Prague value the player at higher price with more clubs keen on signing him. pic.twitter.com/aXoiRFtRn0
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 1, 2025
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Hammers News understands that price is said to be at least £20m for Diouf, who was excellent when he started in Senegal’s recent 3-1 win over England.
A top club source was staying tight-lipped on the move for Diouf when questioned.
But it has been confirmed negotiations for players West Ham are currently targeting ‘will continue’.
UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2025 FinalEngland v Germany
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The move comes with Potter telling Emerson Palmieri he has no future at West Ham.
The Brazilian-born Italian was one of the first players to fall out of favour under Potter, being axed in his first game in charge for youngster Ollie Scarles.
Emerson sent a cryptic post suggesting he would be leaving West Ham after Potter left him out of the Hammers squad altogether for the season finale at Ipswich.
Clubs in Turkey, Italy and Brazil are interested in Emerson with West Ham hopeful of getting between £6-8m for the £13.5m signing.
Romano recently confirmed Emerson is on his way out of West Ham.
After kickstarting their summer window business with the bid for Diouf, the Hammers are reportedly looking to address the striker issue next.
Now Sun sources are reporting Potter and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay have ordered a bid for Mainz’s 20‑year‑old U21 Euro star Nelson Weiper.
The 6ft 3in 20-year-old had a superb Euros, scoring four goals in six games for German – including a header vs England in the final.
Weiper has made 37 Bundesliga appearances in his fledgling career to date and is becoming known for his strong aerial game, hold-up play and potential to be a top target man for club and country.
Reports in Germany claim Mainz value Weiper at just £12m with add-ons because he is into the last year of his contract. Although the German side do have an extension option.
Signing two hugely promising 20-year-olds would be some start to West Ham’s summer window.
Especially after the free transfer capture of 19-year-old hotshot striker Daniel Cummings from Celtic was confirmed by the Hammers.