West Ham are planning a major overhaul around young stars this summer and Newcastle could pay a heavy price.
West Ham have the oldest squad in the Premier League bar none.
It has showed on the pitch this season too, with last week’s defeat at home to Newcastle United the perfect example.
West Ham’s fans jeered the team off and bemoaned how bored they are watching a lack of dynamism, creativity and power in their side.
Newcastle, by contrast, have plenty of it – as they showed again when winning their first major trophy in 70 years at the weekend.
As the Magpies bask in their triumph, though, West Ham are hoping they take their eye off the prize when it comes to summer transfer plans.
West Ham’s new head of recruitment Kyle Macauley has been busy lining up an overhaul aimed at driving down the age of Graham Potter’s squad.
Hammers goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski turns 40 next month.
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When Michail Antonio turns 35 in just over a week, West Ham’s striker department will have a combined age of 99 between him, Niclas Fullkrug and Danny Ings.
The plodding midfield is reliant on 30-year-olds and even 35-year-old Aaron Cresswell has been a regular of late.
The good news for the Hammers is that the manager and his recruitment guru are planning to address the glaring issue.
Inside West Ham's London Stadium. Inset, Hammers boss Graham Potter, majority owner David Sullivan and head of recruitment Kyle Macauley.
Inside West Ham’s London Stadium. Inset, Hammers boss Graham Potter, majority owner David Sullivan and head of recruitment Kyle Macauley. Credit: Getty Images/Julian Finney/Rob Newell/Craig Mercer/Athena Pictures/MB Media/CameraSport
But it could be bad news for Eddie Howe and the Toon.
Because journalist Alex Crook has warned Newcastle that West Ham are coming for a ‘future world’s best’ star.
Many Hammers fans are convinced the club needs to address the goalkeeping position this summer.
Ironically when West Ham were looking to make Alphonse Areola’s loan from PSG permanent, Newcastle boss Howe tried to hijack the deal.
But Areola has been in and out of the number one position at the London Stadium.
This season is a prime example as the Frenchman lost his place to veteran Fabianski before regaining it of late under Potter.
Areola is capable of making stunning saves. He is undoubtedly a great shot-stopper.
Some West Ham fans have doubts over his overall game including kicking, distribution and command of his area.
Areola himself is 32 and West Ham have been linked with a summer move for Liverpool’s back-up ‘keeper Caoimhin Kelleher – who has also been linked with the likes of Newcastle.
Some Hammers fans have touted a move for Geordie number one Nick Pope.
But his limitations on the ball are even more pronounced than Areola and Fabianski.
It seems the Polish veteran is coming to the end of the road at West Ham now – and possibly Areola too.
Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Because West Ham want to sign top Newcastle target James Trafford from Burnley.
The former Man City talent is taking the Championship by storm, keeping a staggering 27 clean sheets in 38 games and conceding only 11 goals this season.
Clarets defender CJ Egan-Riley told The Mirror 22-year-old teammate Trafford will go on to become one of, if not the, world’s top goalkeepers.
And he will be playing for West Ham, not Newcastle, next season if Potter and Macauley get their way.
That’s according to talkSPORT reporter Crook, who made the sensational claim overnight.
In his Transfer Notebook column, Crook says West Ham are serious about rivalling Newcastle in the battle to sign Trafford.
Howe tried but failed to lure Trafford away last summer.
And Newcastle face more disappointment because Crook says they no longer have a free run at the England star after West Ham sent scouts to watch the 22-year-old.
Crook confirmed that Fabianski’s days appear numbered as he turns 40.
Whether that would mean West Ham are also open to offers for Areola remains to be seen.
Should the Irons miss out on Trafford to Newcastle, Crook says they have a back-up plan to sign another English goalkeeper – Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale.