West Ham United are hardly the only club in European football approaching the summer transfer window with one hand tied behind their back.
As a Hammers News source explained over the weekend, West Ham cannot sign before they sell.
This means that, if Graham Potter is to succeed in his plans of a substantial overhaul of the club’s playing staff, the Hammers will likely have to find a buyer for Lucas Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus, James Ward-Prowse and Konstantinos Mavropanos – to name but four – in order to free up funds for some much-needed reinforcements.
Josh Brownhill looks set to become West Ham’s first addition of the off-season. The Burnley captain will be a free-agent in just over a fortnight’s time.
More expensive, ambitious acquisitions, however, will have to wait.
Though, even if Potter had money to spend in the here and now, the door to Javi Guerra appears to have been slammed unceremoniously shut on the Valencia suitors’ bruised fingers.
Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images
Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images
Javi Guerra plans Valencia stay after West Ham United scouting mission
Football correspondent Graeme Bailey exclusively told Hammers News back in November that West Ham had watched Javi Guerra in action for the sleeping giants of Spanish football.
Valencia, a la West Ham, are likely to see their summer plans dictated by financial concerns.
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Javi Guerra has been linked with Real Madrid and Chelsea, not to mention West Ham, and was reportedly available for just £25 million after seeing a switch to Atletico fall through back in 2024.
But the dynamic, swashbuckling Spain Under-21 international is clearly in no rush to leave his hometown club. Though, because Valencia need cash and quick, Javi Guerra will not be the only one with a say in his future plans.
“It’s clear that nothing can be guaranteed. Young people are looking for a sporting project,” Guerra tells Cadena Cope. “Now, I speak for myself.
“I’m from Valencia, I’m from Valencia CF, and I believe there’s no better place to pursue a career surrounded by my people. If everything goes well and we gradually improve, everything will be great.
“I have a contract. As long as a player with a contract wants to stay, as is my case, I don’t see why he should have to leave the club. It’s true that the club is going through a financial period that may not be the best in history, but I’ve always said I’ll work hand in hand with the club and that my desire is to be at Valencia CF.
“And I hope it continues that way.”
Spain U21 star Javi Guerra has been likened to Brazil legend Kaka
Javi Guerra has only two years left on his contract.
Valencia could retain the academy graduate’s services for another year, however, by instead cashing in on talented centre-back Cristhian Mosquera. Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Atletico are all interested, though reports from Spain suggest that Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig may end up making the first move.
As for Guerra, Valencia legend David Albelda drew comparisons with Kaka early last season. Like the 2007 Ballon D’Or-winning Brazil icon, Guerra has a habit of gliding across the pitch with an almost effortless elegance which belies his rangy 6ft 2in frame.
“Javi Guerra, apart from everything he gives you and his scoring ability, is nice to watch for a fan,” Albelda told Cadena Cope. “He is very interesting. Both for us and, unfortunately, for the big teams.
“There is something he has better than Kaka, which is defensive work-rate. Javi does it. He has a brutal physical potential.”
Currently, the most likely midfield acquisition at the London Stadium – apart from the aforementioned Brownhill of course – appears to be Raphael Onyedika of Club Brugge.
West Ham have held talks with the Nigeria enforcer. The £20 million-rated Onyedika is drawn to the Premier League, as well, despite interest from Italian powerhouses AC Milan.
This, however, is one of many potential deals which cannot accelerate until West Ham’s spending power is given a timely boost.