West Ham’s plans for a youthful summer rebuild are now seriously in question after an astonishing Chelsea deal claim was confirmed by a transfer insider.
The revelation will undoubtedly leave agitated Hammers supporters questioning whether the club’s strategy is unravelling before their eyes.
While Chelsea hoover up some of the top young talent in world football, West Ham brought in their former manager to follow a similar recruitment philosophy.
Graham Potter pledged West Ham were in for an “exciting and interesting” rebuild in his first job – and first summer window – since his Chelsea sacking.
But while their London rivals Chelsea continue their relentless push to have one of the youngest teams in Europe, West Ham’s transfer window has been very slow going.
Potter set out his plans for youthful West Ham rebuild
And not quite what Potter had promised or fans had hoped so far.
West Ham’s head coach said he wanted to drastically reduce the age of the Premier League’s oldest squad this summer.
Potter insisted he was not “ageist” when revealing he wanted to overhaul the Hammers around younger more dynamic talent with potential future resale value.
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I think it makes sense for us to lower it (the age of the squad), because then you’re talking more about value and resale and a different profile of player.
I’m not ageist. But I also understand the bigger global picture of football and I’ve come in from the last two clubs (where they) would look to younger players because there are upsides to younger players.
Graham Potter on his summer transfer policy for West Ham back in June
West Ham’s first summer signing – and Potter’s first permanent Hammers addition – was 20-year-old flying full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The young Senegal star fits Potter’s stated transfer policy perfectly and has already impressed in pre-season.
West Ham have been linked with a plethora of younger players in the 19-25 age bracket this summer, many of them from Chelsea.
But their other two signings have been older free agents in the shape of 28-year-old Kyle Walker-Peters and injury-prone striker Callum Wilson, who turns 34 next season.
West Ham boss Graham Potter embraces Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca on his return to Stamford Bridge
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
The Hammers also appear to have ditched moves for younger goalkeepers Mads Hermansen and Zion Suzuki to push ahead with a cheaper deal for 29-year-old Brazilian John Victor.
The apparent change in the profile of player being sought has angered many West Ham fans who believe majority owner David Sullivan is behind them rather than the manager and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay – who was brought in from Chelsea in January.
Signing Wilson sparked something of a backlash from Hammers supporters.
While Potter has transformed the mood and spirit around the West Ham team, it will be darkened by news coming out of Stamford Bridge.
West Ham’s rebuild in tatters after astonishing Chelsea claim
Because West Ham’s youthful rebuild plans look to be in tatters after an astonishing Chelsea claim.
And worse still it has been confirmed by a top transfer insider.
West Ham have been linked with young stars like Harvey Elliott and Ben Doak from Liverpool, Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey, Man City’s James McAtee and a number of Chelsea players such as Carney Chukwuemeka and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – who look set for moves to Dortmund and Everton.
But West Ham’s window appears to have hit a new low.
Graham Potter talks tactics with Raheem Sterling during their time together at Chelsea
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Because it has been confirmed by talkSPORT’s top transfer reporter Alex Crook that claims West Ham are looking to sign Raheem Sterling on loan are in fact true.
Sterling, who is 31 next season, has suffered a major fall from grace since leaving Man City.
He is not wanted by Enzo Maresca and was loaned out to Arsenal last season, where he barely featured.
This time last year, West Ham were offered Sterling by Chelsea but Tim Steidten and Julen Lopetegui snubbed the move.
Sterling’s huge wages make a permanent move anywhere very difficult given his struggles.
So a loan deal, where Chelsea pick up at least half, if not more, of his wages seems to be the only option for a Stamford Bridge exit.
Crook says West Ham one of the top clubs weighing up signing Sterling, who is training away from the Chelsea first team with a group of players who have been told they can leave.
Transfer insider Crook confirms West Ham want Sterling
The reporter also states Potter enjoyed a good working relationship with Sterling during their time together at Stamford Bridge.
West Ham fans will be sceptical about the deal.
Reaction to the claims in West Ham circles has been vociferous to say the least.
Hammers supporters are not happy at the prospect of the move.
Fulham and Crystal Palace could save West Ham from themselves as they are among the other Premier League sides Crook says have an interest in the former England international along with Juve.
Crook has also revealed Sterling’s preference is to stay in London.
If that turns out to be the London Stadium then West Ham fans will justifiably be asking what happened to the youthful rebuild.