Two Manchester City and Liverpool stars are high on West Ham’s list of targets but both Premier League giants are demanding specific clause terms to let them go.
The situation could complicate matters for the Hammers, who are yet to make a single major summer signing.
But should West Ham majority owner David Sullivan bow to the demands of Premier League champions Liverpool and Manchester City, then it may actually make both deals cheaper.
Although it could also set a dangerous precedent for the Hammers in the process.
Liverpool and Man City have been linked with two of West Ham’s top players this summer.
Kudus and Paqueta linked with Liverpool and Man City
Arne Slot is a big fan of Mohammed Kudus, who the Hammers are banking on selling to raise funds for signings.
Liverpool are looking to sign a centre-back and winger as their next order of business.
It has been claimed that Kudus’ agents have told Slot he wants to join Liverpool over anyone else this summer.
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Meanwhile it has been rumoured Man City could finally sign Lucas Paqueta if West Ham’s Brazilian magnifico is cleared of spot-fixing.
Paqueta’s £85m move to Man City collapsed when allegations of spot-fixing emerged almost two years ago.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola embraces West Ham's Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta
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It has been claimed in some quarters Pep Guardiola is ‘willing to wait’ for Paqueta, who could be available for as little as £30-40m if he escapes a ban.
Ironically – or perhaps by design – West Ham are eyeing potential replacements for Kudus and Paqueta at Anfield and the Etihad.
However, Man City and Liverpool are demanding West Ham agree clause terms for the duo.
Although it could make them cheaper.
West Ham have been linked with Man City playmaker James McAtee since Potter’s arrival in January.
Potter wants to rebuild the Hammers around young, dynamic talent.
Man City and Liverpool demand West Ham agree clauses for duo
A journalist has named McAtee as one of West Ham’s three key midfield targets.
Guardiola has also admitted the reported West Ham target needs to leave Man City this summer in order to play regularly.
The 22-year-old has just captained England Under 21s to Euro Championship glory.
It was claimed last week that a big reason for West Ham’s transfer inactivity has been down to the fact a number of their top targets were playing in that tournament.
Hammers majority owner Sullivan was urged to act when it emerged Man City could sell McAtee to Fiorentina for just £17m.
McAtee’s England Under 21 teammate Harvey Elliott has also been heavily linked with the Hammers as he faces similar game time challenges at Liverpool.
England U21 v Slovenia U21 - UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier
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Bringing in McAtee and Elliott would completely transform old and stale West Ham.
It is easy to see why Potter is targeting the duo given Kudus and Paqueta are on their way out.
It has been claimed a deal for Elliott could cost the Hammers as much as £40-50m.
McAtee will cost West Ham around £25m according to reports.
To do the deals, though, West Ham will have to agree to what might be somewhat controversial clauses.
Athletic journalist David Ornstein claims interest is heating up in Elliott.
Buy-back options demanded in McAtee and Elliott deals
And he has revealed Liverpool want any deal for the midfielder to include a buy-back option.
If the Hammers agree to that clause then the deal would be cheaper, Ornstein claims.
But then should Elliott do well in the claret and blue, the spectre of Liverpool just coming in and taking him back to Anfield would loom large over the London Stadium.
To sign McAtee for £25m, West Ham would also have to agree to include a buy-back clause for Man City according to The Guardian.
As McAtee is now in the final year of his contract, a loan deal is not an option. For that same reason, though, West Ham would surely be confident of getting the price down, especially if they agree to the clause.
So West Ham may have to accept their place in the food chain means they must pander to such clauses.
As long as they guarantee a profit should Liverpool or Manchester City activate them, perhaps it is the only way forward for Potter from here.
Including Kudus and Paqueta in the equations may also be an option.
Although the Hammers prefer cash deals this summer.