by Staff Writer
Thursday, 14th August 2025
Welcome to KUMB's latest transfer rumour round-up - five stories from around the web featuring players potentially on West Ham's shopping list, or current Hammers on the radar of other clubs...
Alphonse Areola
The French goalkeeper, who faces a challenge for the number one spot at West Ham from new signing Mads Hermansen has been offered the opportunity to return to his home nation with Ligue 1 newcomers Paris FC.
The 32-year-old goalkeeper is likely to be losing his starting spot at West Ham - if not immediately, then at some stage in the near future - and has been alerted to interested from his home nation. Areola, who cost West Ham £8million when moving from PSG in 2021 is likely to be available for around £5million but a loan deal, with West Ham subsiding Areola's wages, is more practical.
Source: KUMB Forum
Pierce Charles
Following on from our Areola story above, Mike McGrath of The Telegraph reports that the Hammers are seeking to sign the highly-rated Sheffield Wednesday youngster as back-up to Areola/Hermansen.
Both West Ham and Rangers are said to have offered £1m-plus to the cash-strapped Yorkshire club for Charles, who West Ham have been tracking for some time, with most of the fee offered in advance. However the deal is currently off as neither club has received a response from Wednesday, who have not been able to pay their players for several weeks. Charles is another 'keeper like Hermansen who is renowned for being extremely proficient with the ball at his feet.
Source: x.com/mcgrathmike, KUMB Forum
Pierre Ekwah
The 23-year-old midfielder moved from West Ham to Sunderland two seasons ago and spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan in France with AS Saint-Étienne.
What does this have to do with West Ham, I hear you ask? Well, the Hammers included a sell-on clause in the deal which took Ekwah from West Ham to the Stadium of LIght, and that will now boost the club's coffers. With the sale fee of around £6million, West Ham's cut is likely to be less than a million but that in atself could finance the Charles deal, should Wednesday respond to West Ham's offer at some point.
Source: x.com/ASSEofficiel, KUMB Forum
Quinten Timber
One of two brothers currently representing the Timber family as professional footballers, the Utrecht-born central midfielder is being eyed by West Ham as a potential alternative to Southampton's Mateus Fernandes, whose £50million price tag is deterring West Ham from making an improved bid following the rejection of a £30million offer earlier this week.
Capped five times by the Netherlands so far, the versatile 24-year-old can also feature as a holding midfielder (a 'six') and number 10. Valued at around the €30million mark, the Feyenoord player has just one year left on his current contract at 'De Kuip' - meaning he is likely to be available for a reduced fee too.
Source: ExWHUEmployee
Konstantinos Mavropanos
The Greek defender has never fully settled at West Ham despite the Hammers wedging out £21.5million to bring him in from Stuttgart two years ago this month.
And 'Dinos' could be offered an escape route in the coming days following news that several clubs in Italy are considering a bid for the Greek international. Roma, particularly have been rumoured to be interested in taking the defender back to the European mainland having monitored his position for some considerable time although La Liga side Valencia are also thought to be particularly keen. West Ham are likely to accept an offer north of £15million.
Source: tuttomercatoweb.com
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