West Ham look set to miss out on an exciting young star after Manchester City swooped to hijack a deal for a fiery character who came close to inciting a riot after a big derby clash.
West Ham and Man City both need revamps in the summer transfer window after a season of major underachievement.
Graham Potter and Pep Guardiola have both made it clear they actually want to reduce the size of their squads.
The West Ham and Manchester City managers feel their bloated numbers are not conducive to fostering the kind of team spirit and rhythm needed to build a successful side.
Midfield reinforcements a priority for West Ham and Man City
Midfield is a first port of call for the Hammers and Man City this summer.
It is right at the top of the agenda for Potter and Guardiola.
West Ham’s central midfield options are ageing, slow and immobile. The group are sorely lacking in dynamism, power and pace in a Premier League where that is a prerequisite.
Man City paid the price for their lack of back-up to Rodri and a fading Kevin De Bruyne.
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The fact Manchester City are hunting for new midfielders is bad news for West Ham, though.
Earlier this month it was reported that West Ham have held talks to sign two elite young midfield talents.
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
It was claimed Genoa’s Morten Frendrup and RB Salzburg’s Mamady Diambou are being eyed for moves to the London Stadium.
Now we might know why.
Because Man City have swooped in to hijack a West Ham move for a fiery star who nearly incited a derby riot.
Although it’s not all bad news for the Hammers.
Prior to the links with Danish all-action midfield ace Frendrup and Diambou, West Ham were being linked with 22-year-old midfield ace Ardon Jashari of Club Brugge.
Man City swoop in to hijack West Ham move for fiery Jashari
The Hammers reportedly held talks with Jashari’s agent about a move to the London Stadium this summer.
As a player, Jashari looked to be exactly what West Ham need to breathe new life into their geriatric midfield.
A ball-playing defensive midfielder, Jashari has been compared to a peak version of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.
Jashari is a stocky, powerful and tenacious ball-winner but he has a big personality too.
But now Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claims Manchester City have made a move for West Ham target Jashari.
Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images
Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images
Plettenberg says there has already been contact between Man City and the player, who was named Jupiler Pro League Player of the Season.
A Man City contract is already in place until 2029 with the Hammers set to lose out in a deal worth around £30m.
🚨🆕 Understand Manchester City have added Ardon #Jashari to their shortlist for summer!
Excellent season from the 22-year-old defensive midfielder from Club Brugge. There was already contact with #MCFC. Yesterday, he was named Jupiler Pro League Player of the Season.
Contract… pic.twitter.com/F59L2vXl3V
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 27, 2025
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It’s a crying shame for West Ham – although there is some good news emerging today on quick pivot to an alternative.
West Ham fans were excited at the prospect of bringing a character like Jashari to the club.
The Bruges derby is an intense rivalry between Belgian Pro League sides Club Brugge and Cercle Brugge, who share the Jan Breydel Stadium.
Amid West Ham’s reported talks with Jashari earlier this month, footage re-emerged on social media of what he did after the last Bruges derby back in March.
Jashari almost incited derby riot but Hammers quickly move on
The midfield ace was part of the Club Brugge side who triumphed 3-1 in what was officially an “away” game.
Afterwards, he showed what kind of character West Ham will now be missing out on to Man City.
Jashari took his club’s black and blue flag from the fans, ran across the pitch and planted it in the centre circle, causing a bit of a fracas to break out.
It’s not all bad news for the Hammers, though.
Because one of Jashari’s teammates has now emerged as West Ham’s brand new number one target as an alternative.
Ironically a Man City star is also one of three top targets Potter has in his sights.
While this marks a disappointing start to West Ham’s summer transfer plans – it is at least refreshing to see the club waste no time moving on to alternatives.