West Ham’s season is spiralling into crisis.
The Hammers remain perilously close to the relegation zone, and a mid-season managerial change has done little to halt the decline. Goals are drying up, defensive mistakes are constant, and the team looks short of confidence and cohesion.
Perhaps most worrying of all is the midfield.
Aside from Lucas Paquetá — who has rediscovered some form with three goals — there has been little to cheer about. New summer arrivals Matheus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa have yet to settle, while James Ward-Prowse continues to struggle for consistency.
With West Ham crying out for control in the centre of the pitch, it’s now emerged that they could have potentially landed one of Europe’s most promising young midfielders just a few months ago.
Kenneth Taylor Pushed for Ajax Exit Amid West Ham Links
Kenneth Taylor. (REUTERS/Manon Cruz)
Kenneth Taylor. (REUTERS/Manon Cruz)
Ajax star Kenneth Taylor was linked with a move to West Ham late in the summer window, before the club opted to spend more than £50 million on Fernandes and Magassa.
Whether the 23-year-old — described as a “gem” by Dutch legend Edwin van der Sar — returns to their radar ahead of January remains to be seen.
According to ESPN, the Ajax academy graduate made an “emphatic push” for a transfer after becoming aware of Premier League interest — with West Ham believed to be among the clubs monitoring him.
The midfielder, who played a key role in Ajax’s title-winning sides and has already earned senior caps for the Netherlands, is said to have grown disillusioned with promises made by the Ajax hierarchy over his future.
Meanwhile, De Telegraaf claim FC Porto saw an offer of around £13 million turned down in July, with Ajax demanding closer to £30 million. That valuation ultimately priced out several suitors, leaving Taylor frustrated and keen to move on.
The same ESPN report adds that Wolves remain keen and could return with a bid in January, but Taylor isn’t thought to be convinced by a switch to Molineux. Whether West Ham decide to revisit their earlier interest remains to be seen — though given their current midfield issues, it could be an opportunity worth reconsidering.