John Victor and Graham Potter
(Credit: Imago)
Jack Dawson
Sun 17 August 2025 7:50, UK
West Ham’s pursuit of a new goalkeeper lasted for most of the summer.
The inconsistent form of Alphonse Areola forced Graham Potter to dip into the market to sign a new keeper.
This hunt came to an end last week when West Ham signed Mads Hermansen from Leicester City.
However, it wasn’t always a guarantee that the Dane would join the London Stadium, with John Victor previously being linked with West Ham.
Now, details about the Brazilian’s failed move to the Hammers have emerged.
Graham Potter
Graham Potter was pursuing Victor for a good portion of the transfer window (Credit: Imago)
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Victor pushing for Premier League move after West Ham snub
Victor is a highly rated goalkeeper in Brazil and was part of Botafogo that reached the knockout stages of the Club World Cup.
However, despite West Ham bidding £9.5million for Victor, they eventually pulled out of the transfer in favour of Hermansen.
Hermansen joined West Ham for £20m
The goalkeeper was unable to keep Leicester City in the Premier League last season
According to the Sun on Sunday, page 57 on 17 August, the Brazilian was at Rio airport when he received the news that the Hammers would no longer be signing the goalkeeper.
However, this has not deterred Victor’s ambitions to play elsewhere, with the Brazilian still keen to play in the Premier League.
This dream may still be possible this summer, with the goalkeeper available to sign on loan with the option to buy, with Botafogo already signing Neto as a replacement.
Mads Hermansen playing for Leicester City, now at West Ham
West Ham opted to sign Hermansen over Victor (Credit: Imago)
Did Potter make a mistake not signing Victor?
There is no question that Victor is a good goalkeeper. Therefore, Potter has no doubt taken a risk signing Hermansen over the Brazilian
Over the last year, the Brazilian has significantly better stats than the Dane. However, the difference in quality between the two leagues has to be taken into account.
Stats over the past year per 90 minutes John Victor Mads Hermansen
Save percentage 81.7% 63.8%
Goals conceded 0.64 2.22
Clean sheet percentage 52.3% 3.7%
PSxG-GA 0.20 -0.03
Crosses stopped percentage 4.9% 6.3%
Penalties saved 33.3% 25%
Victor beats Hermansen in plenty of stats
While Hermansen did impress on his West Ham debut, he was still part of a side that lost 3-0 to a newly promoted Sunderland.
Based on the quality of the current side, Hermansen will have to produce multiple quality displays if the Hammers are to avoid relegation.
Only time will tell if Potter made the right decision to sign the Dane over Victor.
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