West Ham
Mick Brown
Thu 13 March 2025 7:00, UK
West Ham are working on a deal to sign a new first-choice centre-back this summer, according to the club’s former senior scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Blackburn and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that Graham Potter is set to be backed to improve his squad in the upcoming window.
Strengthening the defence has been identified as one of the priorities this summer amid concerns about their record so far this season.
After 28 Premier League games, the Hammers have conceded 48 goals and have a goal difference of -16, which is the fifth-lowest of any side in the division.
As a result, Football Insider revealed on 4 March that Southampton star Taylor Harwood-Bellis is wanted by West Ham and Crystal Palace.
The 23-year-old is keen to remain a Premier League player as his Southampton side look set to suffer relegation in the closing stages of the season.
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However, Brown explained that West Ham are setting their sights on loftier targets as they plan to achieve European qualification again next season.
West Ham
Matches Played 28
League Position 16th
Goals Conceded 48
Clean Sheets 6
Goal Difference -16
West Ham’s defensive stats in the 2024/25 Premier League season so far.
West Ham unlikely to sign Taylor Harwood-Bellis this summer
Football Insider revealed that Southampton will demand £20million for Harwood-Bellis this summer as they prepare for relegation to the Championship.
Brown, who worked as a senior scout at the London Stadium until leaving alongside David Moyes last June and has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment, insisted Harwood-Bellis is on their list, but is not the first-choice target.
“I wouldn’t expect them to make a move for Harwood-Bellis,” he told Football Insider.
“I don’t think he’s the top-class option West Ham are going to be after.
“He’s done really well since leaving Man City in search of first-team football, he did well at Burnley and then at Southampton and even earned an England cap.
“He’s a good player, but I don’t think he’s that much of an improvement on what they’ve got.
“I’m sure he’s one they’ve been looking at and he’ll be on their list, but I think they’ll want better.
“Graham Potter is going to be backed in the summer, he’s brought in his own recruitment team and they’ll know the kind of players he’s after.
“The defence is a key area they’ll be looking at because it has been awful this season.
“They concede too many goals and the options they’ve got at the back simply aren’t good enough.
“I think Kilman is a good player, but Mavropanos is a bomb scare and the rest aren’t good enough.
“West Ham ultimately want to get back to competing in European competitions as they were under David Moyes, so they need to sign players who can make that happen.
“They’ll be working behind the scenes to identify those players and whether they’ll be available.”
Graham Potter West Ham
Graham Potter is preparing for a busy summer at West Ham. (Credit: Imago)
Graham Potter plotting Kyle Walker-Peters swoop
On top of a deal to sign a new centre-back, the Hammers have been looking to strengthen across their defence, and are set to pursue a deal to sign Kyle Walker-Peters.
Brown told Football Insider that West Ham want to sign a new left-back this summer amid concerns about the performances of Emerson Palmieri.
Now, the former scout has revealed West Ham are readying an offer for Walker-Peters as the Southampton star’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
The 27-year-old’s ability to play across the defence is seen as a valuable asset, while his Premier League experience would be a boost to the back line.
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