The pressure is mounting on West Ham chief David Sullivan after Leeds United made their move for a key Graham Potter target who has been left waiting to sign for the Hammers.
With West Ham fans demanding action after the sale of Mohammed Kudus, it is Leeds who may now get the jump on a transfer that’s been in the offing for weeks.
Looking at the finances available to Graham Potter and Daniel Farke, anyone would think it is Leeds who have been on the Premier League gravy train for 13 consecutive years not West Ham.
But in actual fact while Leeds have been yo-yo’ing between the top flight and the Championship, West Ham’s income has been boosted by more than the standard Premier League riches.
There have been five European qualifications, three of which came on the bounce in the last four years and included winning a major trophy.
Leeds in far superior position than West Ham financially
Leeds may have boosted coffers by selling off star players such as Kalvin Phillips, Raphinha and – to West Ham last summer – Crysencio Summerville.
But the Hammers brought in pure 100 per cent profit on homegrown captain Declan Rice when they sold him to Arsenal for £105m just two years ago.
Now the east Londoners have raised further funds by controversially selling Kudus to bitter rivals Spurs for £54.5m.
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Yet it is Leeds who reportedly have over £100m to spend having just been promoted back to the big time and West Ham claim they can only spend what they make in sales due to PSR.
Irons majority owner David Sullivan has been heavily criticised by fans over the situation and sale of a top player to rivals Spurs.
West Ham head coach Graham Potter embraces Mohammed Kudus
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Furious Hammers supporters are demanding the Kudus money is reinvested in Potter’s rebuild in full – and fast.
Despite Potter stating he wants to overhaul his ageing West Ham side around young, dynamic stars, the club are yet to make a single major signing for him this summer.
The only arrival has been young striker Daniel Cummings – who was also interesting Leeds United – on a free from Celtic. But he will start off initially with the club’s under 21s.
West Ham have had targets lined up, identified by Potter and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay.
But several reported targets have come and gone while the Hammers are restricted to a watching brief.
Pressure piles on Sullivan as Leeds pounce for West Ham target
And another might be able to slip through West Ham’s fingers.
The pressure has piled on Sullivan as Leeds pounce for a top West Ham target who has literally been waiting to sign.
Slavia Prague and Senegal left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf has been so close to joining the Hammers in the last week that he has even been banned from training as the Czech club protects its asset.
Slavia have good relations with West Ham after selling them both Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal.
They are demanding a league record £21.5m for the 20-year-old in the wake of bids which amounted to £17m and then £17.5m from the Hammers.
El Hadji Malick Diouf playing for Slavia Prague in the Europa League
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
One of Soucek’s former Czech Under 19 teammates – and close friends – teased that the Hammers were close to signing Diouf heading into last weekend.
Diouf was also set said to be ready to fly to London for a medical as soon as West Ham agree the fee.
A new Diouf twist from Czechia was great news for West Ham on Saturday as negotiations continued in the hope of concluding a deal.
Slavia’s manager Jindřich Trpišovský admitted Diouf signing for the Hammers was inevitable – and so important to Slavia financially – he had to keep the pacy and rangy star away training with the team.
While West Ham have dallied, though, Leeds have sensed an opportunity.
Diouf has been waiting to join Hammers but now Leeds swoop
That’s according to Sportitalia journalist Gianluigi Longari, who says Leeds are now pushing to try and beat West Ham to Diouf.
Diouf’s future is being reported on in Italy because Atalanta have been linked.
The Serie A side have Champions League football to offer but it has been reported that West Ham held the ace card with the offer of London life and Premier League football.
Now, though, Leeds are threatening to continue their summer spree by making Diouf their next signing.
If West Ham are waiting for the first instalment of their Kudus money from Spurs – which will work out at £18m as it is being paid over three years – before moving for Diouf – whose first instalment will be less than £4m if spread over a five-year deal – then money really must be tight at the London Stadium.
Sullivan will have a Hammers fan meltdown on his hands if West Ham are beaten to Diouf by Leeds.
Especially as Paul Merson thinks Leeds will be ‘licking their lips’ at staying up ahead of West Ham.