West Ham have responded to new claims that young striker Lucas Stassin and a key Brighton man are heading to the club after announcements sparked speculation.
It is going to be all change at West Ham this summer.
Graham Potter has stated as much as he ended the season stating West Ham are nowhere near how he wants them to look, especially in attack.
The 50-year-old Englishman wants to build a dynamic side like he did at former club Brighton.
Some of Potter’s best work came during his spell with the Seagulls.
Potter has been reunited with his recruitment guru from his time at Brighton with Kyle Macaulay now plotting West Ham’s transfers.
The Hammers boss has also shown a ruthless streak few knew he had.
Potter has released long-serving trio Lukasz Fabianski, Aaron Cresswell and Vladimir Coufal despite all three making good cases to be retained for another year.
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Striker Danny Ings has also been released and a top West Ham reporter has claimed Michail Antonio could be let go too.
Ruthless Potter makes it clear change is coming at West Ham
Carlos Soler and Evan Ferguson have been sent back to PSG and Brighton respectively.
Niclas Fullkrug could also be set to depart after just one season in east London.
The manager made it clear he did not like the German’s angry outbursts about the team.
Potter publicly told Fullkrug he sees him as back-up at best for West Ham.
Since then Fullkrug has dropped his biggest hint yet he’ll be leaving the Hammers.
Celtic starlet Daniel Cummings has signed and will be unveiled on July 1st.
He has been lured to the London Stadium on the promise of being part of West Ham’s first team squad.
But the Hammers still need one or two new strikers based on the departures.
They will also need a new goalkeeping coach.
Photo by Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
Because there was sadness among fans when the Irons announced long-serving goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero was being let go after seven years.
The highly respected Spaniard has worked under Manuel Pellegrini, David Moyes, Julen Lopetegui and now Potter.
But Valero being shipped out is another example of the manager’s ruthless approach to his Hammers overhaul.
The former Real Madrid and Liverpool coach is moving on with – in his own words – ‘great sadness’.
Speculation has been rife linking West Ham with a host of new forwards.
West Ham respond to Stassin and Brighton man claims
There have also been several names put forward to replace Valero.
Now West Ham have responded to claims striker Lucas Stassin and a key Brighton man are on their way after announcements.
According to a report on Tuesday evening from L’Équipe, West Ham are leading the race to sign AS Saint-Etienne striker Stassin.
The skilful 20-year-old forward has just been relegated, meaning a deal is there to be done.
And the French outlet has claimed West Ham are closing in on Belgian Under 21 star Stassin after holding talks with the player and his club.
The links have sparked excitement in West Ham fan circles.
Photo by SYLVAIN THOMAS/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by SYLVAIN THOMAS/AFP via Getty Images
No sooner had that news broken than Brighton made an official announcement that long-serving goalkeeper coach Jack Stern is leaving the club as well as fellow ‘keeper coach Marco Knoop.
The statement confirms Knoop is heading back to Germany.
But Stern was part of Potter’s staff during his time at the Amex. And that has tongues wagging that he will now replace Valero at West Ham.
Explaining his reshuffle, Fabian Hurzeler said: “On behalf of everyone at the club I take this opportunity to thank Marco and Jack for their efforts here.
“Marco is returning to Germany and goes with our thanks and best wishes.
“He made a lot of sacrifices to join me in England, and I will always be grateful to him for that.
“Jack and Marco have helped us to achieve a successful season in my first campaign at Brighton and I wish both well for the future.”
Hammers board issue swift response on striker and coach
Now West Ham have moved swiftly to respond to growing speculation Stassin and Stern are on their way to the London Stadium.
Hammers News put it to the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners whether departing Brighton goalkeeper coach Stern and Stassin could be arriving as Potter’s first summer recruits.
The response from the West Ham board was short and very emphatic.
“Neither true,” the senior spokesman for the club’s owners exclusively told Hammers News.
So there you have it West Ham fans.
But better to know where we all stand before anyone gets too carried away, particularly with impressive videos of Stassin in action already stirring excitement among the club’s thirsty supporters.