West Ham have moved to clarify their stance on whether Graham Potter will look to the free agent market following the closure of the summer transfer window.
Hammers News exclusive
With a surprisingly strong list of players still without clubs, West Ham fans are wondering whether the club will look to out-of-contract stars after an underwhelming deadline day.
Having made six signings during a three-month summer transfer window, the Hammers went into deadline day tipped to sign a goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward.
But only Brighton defender Igor Julio arrived on a straight loan, much to the disappointment of the club’s supporters.
Especially after Graham Potter’s side had secured a morale-boosting 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest which offered hope West Ham could kick on with some extra bodies in key areas.
West Ham can still sign out-of-contract players post deadline
The £60m additions of Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa look potentially game-changing in midfield.
Igor can only be an improvement on the hapless and weak Nayef Aguerd too. Especially as the Brazilian, two years Aguerd’s junior, actually wants to be at the club.
Just because the transfer deadline has now passed does not mean West Ham can no longer sign players, though.
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As reported by Hammers News yesterday, West Ham could still seal one in and one out after the deadline.
West Ham have already made use of the free agent market during the regular window.
Callum Wilson celebrates his first West Ham goal and win by pulling at the Hammers badge
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
The Hammers signed ageing striker Callum Wilson and versatile full-back Kyle Walker-Peters on free transfers.
While the addition of Walker-Peters was seen as a savvy signing by West Ham, the Wilson deal was heavily criticised.
However, both have impressed so far, starring in the 3-0 win at Forest.
It has proven that such signings can add to the team and squad if made to complement quality additions of younger stars – such as El Hadji Malick Diouf, Mads Hermansen, Fernandes and Magassa.
West Ham on whether Potter will sign free agents from impressive list
West Ham have been linked with the likes of free agent midfielder Josh Brownhill.
He is just one of a number of players who remain without a club post deadline.
Now West Ham have responded on whether Potter will sign free agents from an impressive list.
Hammers News reached out to the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners on the likelihood of Potter adding any further out-of-contract stars to his squad.
Especially as the likes of Guido Rodriguez and Galatasaray-linked Alphonse Areola could still depart to Mexico, Turkey, Greece or Saudi while their windows remain open.
Graham Potter after Nottingham Forest v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Hammers board leave door open for more arrivals
While some names are more attractive than others, there are a host of players in all positions available on the free agent market.
They include a 32-year-old ex Barca and Dortmund striker, midfielders such as former West Ham targets Hakim Ziyech and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – both 32 – as well as 33-year-old Christian Eriksen.
The 26-year-old ex Arsenal defender and Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu – another former Hammers target – is on there as are international goalkeepers Fraser Forster and Rui Patricio.
A certain Michail Antonio is also still available after being released by West Ham.
And many Hammers fans have predicted he could do a Carlton Cole and “return” to the club after being let go.
Lukasz Fabianski is in the same boat.
Hammers News put it to the top spokesman for West Ham’s board whether Potter could go into the market for any out-of-contract players.
And the club are not ruling it out entirely.
“I doubt we will sign any free agents,” the top West Ham spokesman exclusively told Hammers News.
“But who knows what will happen?”
Free agents still available:
Strikers
Patrick Bamford, 31: Former clubs include Leeds United, Chelsea, Middlesbrough. One England cap.
Francisco ‘Paco’ Alcacer, 32: Former clubs include Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal. 19 Spain caps (12 goals).
Emmanuel Dennis, 27: Former clubs include Club Brugge, Watford and Nottingham Forest. Seven Nigeria caps (one goal).
Antonio Colak, 31: Former clubs include Rangers, Parma and PAOK. Three Croatia caps.
Midfielders
Josh Brownhill, 27: Former clubs include Burnley, Bristol City, Preston and Man United academy.
Josh Dasilva, 26: Former clubs include Brentford and Arsenal. Four England U21 caps (one goal).
Hakim Ziyech, 32: Former clubs include Ajax, Chelsea and Galatasaray. 64 Morocco caps (25 goals).
Christian Eriksen, 33: Former clubs include Man Utd, Brentford, Inter Milan, Tottenham Hotspur and Ajax. 144 Denmark caps (46 goals).
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 32: Former clubs include Arsenal, Liverpool and Besiktas. 35 England caps (seven goals).
Defenders
Takehiro Tomiyasu, 26: Former clubs include Arsenal and Bologna. 42 Japan caps (one goal).
Sergio Reguilón, 28: Former clubs include Tottenham, Real Madrid and Sevilla. Six Spain caps.
Jason Denayer, 30: Former clubs include Celtic, Manchester City and Lyon. 35 Belgium caps (one goal).
Jamal Lewis, 27: Former clubs include Newcastle, Norwich City and Sao Paulo. 39 Northern Ireland caps.
Goalkeepers
Fraser Forster, 37: Former clubs include Celtic, Tottenham and Southampton. Six England caps.
Fran Vieites, 26: Former clubs include Real Betis, CD Lugo and Celta Vigo.
Rui Patricio, 37: Former clubs include Sporting Lisbon, Wolves and Roma. 108 Portugal caps.
Guillermo Ochoa, 40: Former clubs include Standard Liege, Club America and Malaga. 152 Mexico caps.
Tom Glover, 27: Former clubs include Middlesbrough, Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne City.