One of Graham Potter’s targets this summer, reportedly, was [Kiernan Dewsbury Hall.](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6618783/2025/09/12/mohammed-kudus-tottenham-hotspur-west-ham-chelsea/?source=athletic_user_shared_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta) Understand;y, the talented Chelsea midfielder was in big demand and eventually got snapped up by David Moyes’ Everton for close on £30 million as the Hammers again missed out. Dewsbury Hall has already impressed hugely at Everton.
However according to West Ham – focussed journalist [Roshane Thomas](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6618783/2025/09/12/mohammed-kudus-tottenham-hotspur-west-ham-chelsea/?source=athletic_user_shared_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta) in the athletic, West Ham spurned the chance to sign Dewsbury Hall plus cash in failed negotiations over then sale of Mohammed Kudus, in a package worth £70 million: Kudus was subsequently sold for ‘just’ the £55 million. According to the report:
_“London rivals Chelsea were the front-runners and initially expressed interest in signing the 25-year-old winger in May. They planned to sign the Ghana international early in the window so he could join Enzo Maresca’s side ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup — a competition they would win — which started on June 15._
_…Chelsea offered West Ham £40million ($54.2m) plus midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the swap deal, but their offer was rejected. Both clubs failed to reach an agreement and Dewsbury-Hall was later sold to Everton for £30m in August.”_
Hindsight is a wonderful thing – and it is in vogue to bash the board at present – but if true, **turning down forty million plus a top midfielder** looks a dreadful error by the West Ham management, in view of the subsequent capitulation to the arch enemy for £15 million less. Again, _if true,_ this is a cock-up of massive proportions and only likely to amplify calls for a professional Director of Football and management team to take these decisions in future.