West Ham new head of recruitment [Kyle Macaulay](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-transfers-macaulay-holds-talks-for-swiss-wonderkid/) wants to recruit this summer _without the aid_ of football agents. The Hammers have long relied on agents to provide suggestions of players who are available in the market, but Macaulay wants to move away from that model as he moves a data driven recruitment strategy similar to that devised at Brighton.
Potter and Macaulay have an association that goes back a decade, starting at Swedish side Ostersunds FK.
All eyes will be on Macaulay (main image) and Potter’s data driven model next month; they will need to hit the ground running fast in the transfer windows which opens in five days’ time including moving on some players to create critical funds they need to buy to rebuild the squad.
They will also need to keep agents on side while pursuing their new model or risk a backlash from those who effectively control the game.
In the past West Ham have relied heavily on agents like Will Salthouse and Barry Silkman to help them source and negotiate for players in the transfer market.