Leif Davis
(Credit: Imago)
Joe Elvin
Thu 3 July 2025 18:10, UK
West Ham United have made a slow start to the transfer window but there are a few signs that this could change soon.
West Ham reportedly had a £17million bid rejected for Slavia Prague left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf and are linked with a couple of young centre-halves, too.
With Jean-Clair Todibo having already signed a permanent deal, a lot of work is being done to improve the defence.
Graham Potter West Ham
This is Graham Potter’s first summer transfer window as West Ham manager (Credit: Imago)
Diouf rejection could turn out to be a blessing in disguise
The rejection of West Ham’s bid for Diouf may have appeared to be a setback at first.
Reports suggest that they have no plans to increase their offers and will instead look to other targets in that position.
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However, this could turn out to be a blessing in disguise, following a recent update from a club insider.
ExWHUEmployee reports via Patreon (3 July) that Ipswich Town defender Leif Davis is also being considered.
Davis could be available for a similar price tag, but he has proven that he can handle the demands of the Premier League, even in an Ipswich team that struggled for most of the season.
What’s more, his willingness to bomb forward could add a new dimension to the Hammers’ attack if he were to sign. At 25 years old, Davis has become more consistent in defence and is about to reach his peak.
That would surely prove to be a more adept signing than Diouf, a 20-year-old with no experience in English football.
Emerson Palmieri West Ham
Emerson Palmieri is expected to leave West Ham, leaving the club short of left-backs (Credit: Imago)
Potter ready to work his magic in the transfer market
Graham Potter has a reputation for unearthing hidden gems in the transfer market, and West Ham fans will be hoping that’s what he does this summer.
The former Chelsea boss has got his team playing better football after arriving in January, but it’s widely agreed that new signings are needed.
West Ham’s record under Graham Potter
Games Played 18
Wins 5
Draws 5
Losses 8
Credit: Soccerbase
So far, he would appear to be targeting young stars from overseas, who can be bought for bargain prices and ultimately sold on for a huge profit.
That would explain why he’s targeting Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell and Independiente centre-half Kevin Lomonaco.
The Hammers may not want to lose Mohammed Kudus, but if they do receive a huge fee for him, that would give Potter the ability to recruit even more unknown superstars. That’s what he’s good at, so the board should back him.
Davis is more of a finished product than Potters’ other targets, making this transfer more of a no-brainer. There will be few doubts surrounding his ability to do a tremendous job on the left side at West Ham if he is signed.
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