Graham Potter has received some very welcome good news on the transfer front which clears the path for West Ham to sign his prime striker target.
The summer transfer window opens in 13 days and West Ham have a major reconstruction job on their hands.
The bad news is that costs money. And finances are right at West Ham due to PSR.
But the good news is this year’s summer transfer window has been extended due to the FIFA Club World Cup.
That means the Hammers essentially have three months, from June 1st to September, to get their business done.
West Ham have confirmed signing strikers and midfielders is the priority for the upcoming window.
Striker priority as Potter plots West Ham’s summer overhaul
The Hammers also stated they are looking to make at least three to five signings as a minimum.
Graham Potter has stated on several occasions now that he wants a smaller squad to help him foster closer relations and team spirit.
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The Hammers boss believes West Ham’s bloated 26-man squad is carrying too many senior players for a club not competing in European competition.
The 49-year-old says that makes it difficult to keep morale positive for those not getting as much game time as they’d like or feel they deserve.
Fixing West Ham’s glaring striker issues will be key to Potter being a success at West Ham.
Inside West Ham's London Stadium. Inset, Hammers boss Graham Potter, majority owner David Sullivan and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay.
Inside West Ham’s London Stadium. Inset, Hammers boss Graham Potter, majority owner David Sullivan and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay. Credit: Getty Images/Julian Finney/Rob Newell/Craig Mercer/Athena Pictures/MB Media/CameraSport
Flop Danny Ings is being released next month while Evan Ferguson will go back to Brighton after a disastrous loan spell.
Niclas Fullkrug’s Hammers future looks far from certain with Potter making it clear to the German international he sees him as a substitute.
Potter and his head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay are already working on bringing in younger, more dynamic strikers.
A Celtic forward was pictured watching West Ham ahead of an imminent move as they lost their final home game at the London Stadium.
Now there’s been a major boost for Potter as a manager admits he must sell his star striker amid West Ham talks.
Manager admits he must sell star striker amid West Ham talks
The Hammers signed Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice last summer.
The Irons have been tipped to raid Nice again to launch a charm offensive for Todibo’s former teammate Evann Guessand.
Macaulay identified powerful forward Guessand as a top West Ham target in January.
The Scottish recruitment guru arrived with a dossier of targets for the Hammers to look at with Guessand said to be top of the striker list.
Last weekend it was reported Potter and Macaulay have been monitoring Guessand and are so impressed the club have held talks about signing the 23-year-old Ivory Coast star.
It was claimed West Ham believe 6ft 2in rangy star Guessand has the technical and physical qualities to adapt to the Premier League.
Photo by SYLVAIN THOMAS/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by SYLVAIN THOMAS/AFP via Getty Images
The striker has scored 14 goals and laid on nine assists this season, including one of each in Nice’s 6-0 win over Brest at the weekend.
Guessand brings a lot more to the team besides, with hold-up and link play belying his age.
West Ham’s financial situation is such that they must be sensible about targets with mega money deals off the table.
The Hammers will want and need to go after players they know are available and would be up for the switch.
So Nice boss Franck Haise has fantastic news for Potter after admitting he will be forced to sell his prized asset Guessand amid the interest from the likes of West Ham.
Evann help us as Potter gets major Guessand boost
Asked about West Ham’s interest in Guessand during his post-match press conference, Haise was refreshingly honest.
He said he knows Guessand is sought-after and admitted Nice have to sell to buy, suggesting the player has done his bit for Nice and is on his way out.
“We know that Evann will be one of the players who is highly sought after,” Get French Football News reports.
“What matters is what he has done this season.
“Like other French clubs, we have to sell to buy this summer.
“No player has a higher market value than Guessand at Nice.”
Quite what that value will be remains to be seen.
But previous reports have suggested Nice will sell for around £25m.