The Special One has done West Ham a special favour as Jose Mourinho gets Graham Potter his price for a Celtic star and it could be one of the bargains of the summer.
Celtic are already reeling after West Ham snatched away their hot prospect striker Daniel Cummings.
When Celtic academy graduate Cummings was spotted at West Ham for the club’s final home game of the season, it meant Brendan Rodgers had failed to change his mind.
Rodgers was furious when the emerging Scottish star, who bagged 30 goals in the Scottish pyramid with Celtic B last season, had talks with the Hammers in January.
West Ham have sights on more Celtic stars and targets
He urged the 19-year-old to stay patient at Celtic.
But Cummings was assured a place in Graham Potter’s first team squad as part of West Ham’s youthful rebuild.
And it has been confirmed Cummings will join West Ham on July 1.
Former Celtic and West Ham hero Frank McAvennie has strong views on the Cummings deal.
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With a Scotsman heading up West Ham’s recruitment in the shape of Kyle Macaulay and another on the coaching staff in Billy Reid, it should be no surprise Celtic are in the Premier League club’s sights.
Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
Versatile young Bhoys midfielder Arne Engels is reportedly on West Ham’s radar too.
The Hammers are also ruffling feathers at Celtic by making moves on Rodgers’ transfer targets too.
The Hoops have been lining up a move for Brondby forward Mathias Kvistgaarden.
But it’s claimed West Ham want Kvistgaarden as their second summer striker signing after Cummings.
The 23-year-old Dane bagged 23 goals last season and could now be the centre of a tug-of-war between the east end of London and east end of Glasgow.
Is it any wonder given former Celtic star Thomas Gravesen predicted Kvistgaarden can emulate Henrik Larsson.
To compound Celtic’s misery, it’s been claimed West Ham are gunning for another of their stars too.
Mourinho gets West Ham their price for second Celtic star
Now the self-styled Special One has quite literally done the Hammers’ bidding for them.
Jose Mourinho gets West Ham their price for a second Celtic star and it could be one of the bargains of the summer.
Celtic attacker Daizen Maeda is said to be on Macaulay and Graham Potter’s list for their overhaul.
It was reported by Caught Offside that West Ham are planning to make a bid for Maeda as Potter and Macaulay are impressed with his versatility, pace and goal-scoring attributes.
Super sharp Japan star Maeda is in his peak at 27 and hit the form of his life this season, scoring 33 goals and laying on 10 assists in 49 games.
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Celtic don’t want to lose Maeda but may have no choice but to cash in and reinvest in the squad.
Especially after losing one of the players Rodgers hoped might follow after Maeda after Cummings elected to sign for West Ham.
However, when it comes to paid for transfers, West Ham are in something of a bind at the moment.
The club is trying to offload players to raise funds for signings.
There will be no major outlays, with Macaulay and Potter targeting value players with a £25-30m ceiling on fees.
Now according to multiple reports out of Turkey, Mourinho has come knocking for Maeda too.
Celtic set £25m bargain price for Hammers target Maeda
In doing so he has revealed what West Ham will have to pay for the forward – and it’s right in the club’s price range.
Celtic rejected an opening offer from Mourinho’s Fenerbahce which was described as “insulting”.
It is claimed by a host of Turkish outlets such as NTV Spor, that Celtic told Fenerbahce in response it will take a minimum of £25m to sign Maeda.
That is more than reasonable by modern transfer standards.
Now it all boils down to whether West Ham can get a player or two out with Mohammed Kudus and Nayef Aguerd looking the most likely to bring some money in during the early part of the window.
If that happens then the Hammers know exactly what they have to pay to bring the Osaka-born star to the London Stadium thanks to Mourinho.