Chelsea are part of a transfer triangle with Brighton which could deliver a crushing blow to Graham Potter’s best-laid West Ham plans.
There is no love lost between Brighton and Graham Potter – as proved after West Ham’s recent 3-2 defeat at the Amex.
Ex Brighton boss Potter, who returned to football with West Ham 20 months after being sacked by Chelsea, was booed off that day – by both sets of fans.
Potter was visibly upset by the reception after the game, delivering a post-match outburst as he felt real pressure for the first time since leaving Stamford Bridge.
Brighton fans – and owner Tony Bloom – were angry with Potter for taking staff and players with him when he left for Chelsea.
Brighton eye Potter revenge with West Ham striker hijack
Based on the reaction towards the 50-year-old that day, some of that resentment very much remains.
Now the Seagulls want to inflict more pain on their former manager as a transfer triangle emerges that’s terrible news for West Ham but will see both Brighton and Chelsea land new strikers.
The Hammers and Chelsea are desperate to sign at least one new forward this summer.
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Both clubs have been linked with Liam Delap, with the Champions League-bound Blues a much more likely destination for the Ipswich forward.
Potter went back to Brighton to take Evan Ferguson on loan in January.
Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
West Ham reportedly beat Chelsea to Ferguson because of the Potter connection.
But the Irishman’s move has been a disaster with the 20-year-old failing to register a single shot on target let alone a goal – albeit with limited opportunities.
Ferguson will go back to Brighton. But his prospects won’t be improved by what Bloom is planning.
Because Brighton eye revenge on Potter with a crushing West Ham striker hijack, thanks to Chelsea.
Chelsea have already dealt the Hammers a bitter blow in the transfer market – and the window doesn’t even open until Sunday.
West Ham’s new striker target blow all is thanks to Chelsea deal
Potter has two top striker targets this summer, one being Emanuel Emegha.
Yesterday it was revealed Chelsea have ‘all but signed’ Hammers target Emegha from what is essentially their feeder club Strasbourg.
While Potter is desperate for a new forward to lead the line for West Ham next season, Chelsea don’t even intend to use Emegha yet – leaving him on loan at the BlueCo-owned Ligue 1 side for now.
Potter’s other top striker target is Nice’s Evann Guessand.
West Ham’s head of recruitment, Kyle Macaulay, is another ex Brighton and Chelsea man.
Photo by SYLVAIN THOMAS/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by SYLVAIN THOMAS/AFP via Getty Images
Macaulay identified Guessand as a top West Ham target in January, the moment he arrived at West Ham from Stamford Bridge.
It has been reported that Potter and Macaulay have been monitoring Guessand and have been so impressed that West Ham have held talks about signing the 23-year-old Ivory Coast star.
Nice boss Franck Haise admitted Guessand will be sold amid links to West Ham earlier this month.
It was claimed West Ham believe 6ft 2in rangy star Guessand has the technical and physical qualities to adapt to the Premier League.
So too do Brighton, though, it seems.
Evann help West Ham as Brighton launch move for Guessand
Because the Seagulls have hijacked West Ham’s planned move for Guessand with Chelsea at the heart of the deal.
When Brighton are selling a player it’s often a sure bet that Chelsea won’t be too far away.
Sky Sports France claim Brighton are resigned to losing their brilliant young striker Joao Pedro to Chelsea.
And using his advanced statistics software, Bloom and Brighton’s scouts have determined that West Ham target Guessand best meets the profile required for the team in replacing Chelsea-bound Pedro.
Worse still for the Hammers, it is claimed Brighton could get Guessand for just £20m.
West Ham must raise funds through sales before they can buy.
So unless the Hammers board can rapidly shift one or two players, they face missing out on yet another top target already.