Fans are seeing a new West Ham as the club line up an exciting Plan B should their move for Harvey Elliott fall through — and they hold a big advantage over Sunderland in the race.
Hammers News exclusive
Graham Potter has had to be patient to start his West Ham revolution this summer, watching the likes of newly-promoted Sunderland go out and spend big.
Given many are predicting the likes of Sunderland and Leeds are going to make life difficult for West Ham to stay in the Premier League next season, that has been a grave concern for fans.
The Black Cats allegedly beat the Hammers to Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra too.
But as fan morale hit a new low following the controversial sale of Mohammed Kudus to rivals Spurs, things are finally starting to look up for West Ham.
Kudus has brought in £54.5m and West Ham’s owners pledged to give Potter ‘every penny’ of it to spend on signings.
West Ham’s new recruitment strategy a breath of fresh air
Now that looks like it could be bad news for Sunderland.
West Ham have finally sealed their first signing of the summer, bringing in Diarra’s Senegal teammate El Hadji Malick Diouf for £19.5m from Slavia Prague.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
The pacy, powerful left wingback shone for Senegal in their 3-1 win over England last month, completely pocketing Bukayo Saka and bursting forward at every opportunity.
Diouf is on his way to east London for a medical and his imminent arrival has breathed new hope into the West Ham fanbase.
Harvey Elliott celebrates scoring the winner during Paris Saint-Germain v Liverpool FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 First Leg
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
That hope turned to cautious excitement overnight when a journalist close to the club’s owners confirmed West Ham are about to make a bid to sign Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott.
It remains to be seen whether West Ham can match Liverpool’s valuation of the in-demand midfield playmaker off the back of a stunning and victorious Euro Under 21 campaign with England.
Signing 20-year-old Diouf and moving for 22-year-old Elliott shows the Hammers have completely ripped up their previous recruitment strategy.
Potter vowed to work with head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay to drastically lower the age of the Premier League’s oldest squad and rebuild the team around young, hungry, dynamic and athletic talent.
Hammers have big advantage over Sunderland for Elliott plan B
Even the likes of Sunderland put West Ham to shame in that regard.
But that could all be about to change as the Potter and Macaulay effect becomes clear.
Now the new West Ham have a seriously exciting Elliott plan B with a major advantage over rival suitor Sunderland.
Roger Le Bris’ ambitions for Sunderland after their return to the big time shows no sign of abating according to L’Equipe.
Bilal El Khannouss applauds the travelling Leicester City fans after the Premier League match with rivals Nottingham Forest
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Because the Mackems have made the first move for Leicester City’s tricky playmaker Bilal El Khannouss.
According to the French outlet, Sunderland made an approach for 21-year-old El Khannouss over the weekend.
The Moroccan international is pushing for a move to the Premier League and Leicester need money.
L’Equipe reported on Sunday that ‘Sunderland appear to have the edge’.
But it stated that West Ham are now pushing to beat them to the skilful attacker.
Hammers News put the reported interest to a leading transfer source with knowledge of the club’s plans.
It has been confirmed El Khannouss is indeed among Potter and Macaulay’s targets – but seemingly only as a back-up if the ambitious Elliott move does not come off.
While that may seem like good news for Sunderland’s hopes, the well-connected transfer source has told Hammers News that the player would prefer a move to West Ham if offered a straight choice.
El Khannouss would prefer West Ham over Sunderland, claims source
“El Khannouss is a player Potter likes and impressed for Leicester in spells,” the top transfer source told Hammers News.
“He is a back-up plan at the moment because with Kudus going, it is felt a more established playmaker is needed and Elliott has that added proven pedigree in the Premier League.
“West Ham have made the player’s camp aware of their interest and the situation and they were given encouragement that he would choose them over other interested clubs. London is also being mentioned as a potential factor – as well as West Ham being a more established Premier League side.
“Potter would see El Khannouss as a work in progress with his end product in need of improvement. But he is definitely a player they like the idea of.”
Sunderland may be able to play on the fact West Ham don’t see El Khannouss as their first choice target in trying to lure him to The Stadium of Light.
So West Ham will want an answer from Liverpool and Elliott quickly.