by Staff Writer
Monday, 18th 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...
Mateus Fernandes
West Ham are expected to return with a new, improved bid for the Southampton playmaker in the wake of Saturday's debacle on Wearside.
The entire world was privy to what West Ham are severely lacking - and what supporters have been calling for since the end of last season - at Sunderland, which has promoted the board to return to the Championship club. Saints CEO Phil Parsons has indicated that he won't stand against the player moving on this summer, the only question now is whether West Ham's board are willing to do a deal at or near to the £50miliion asking price.
Source: x.com/pedrogva6, KUMB Forum
Andrey Santos
A Brazilian source with a healthy one million followers on social media has claimed West Ham have seen a £45million bid for the Chelsea playmaker - who, incidentally, shares the same middle name as the great Pele - rejected.
While this would appear unlikely, given the club's reticence to bid higher than £30million for Potter's first choice midfield target Matues Fenandes (see above), it is clearly a position West Ham are targeting as something of a priority with just two weeks of the transfer window left to run. Santos, while not perhaps considered surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge failed to make the starting XI at the weekend and played for just 11 minutes against Crystal Palace as a late replacement for Enzo Fernandez. A cheeky loan deal may be more to United's liking.
Source: x.com/venecasagrande
Aleix Garcia
The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder was on West Ham's radar last summer, but former manager Julen Lopetegui opted to sign Carlos Soler and Guido Rodriguez instead.
Now it is claimed West Ham have reignited their desire to introduce the defensive midfielder, who swapped Girona for the then-Bundesliga champions last summer in an €18million switch. With 28 appearances for the German outfit last season, Garcia - who has represented both Spain and Catalonia at international level - was consider a vital cog in their midfield and isn't likely to come cheap. Still, the source isn't the most reliable so we wouldn't be betting on this one coming through.
Source: x.com/tbrfootball
Eljif Elmas
Wingers would appear to be one of the last positions Graham Potter would deem necessary to improve this summer, given he has essentially started without them in pre-season and at Sunderland. However it has been suggested in the last 48 hours that West Ham have expressed interest in the 25-year-old, who spent last season on loan with Torino from parent club RB Leipzig.
A €23million signing from Napoli in 2024, North Macedonia international Elmas is also said to be on the radar of Besiktas plus former clubs Napoli and Torino. You can probably file this one as agent's speak.
Source: x.com/TheFootySource1
Lucas Paqueta
West Ham's frequently misfiring Brazilian has been the subject of much speculation in the last 72 hours with some sources claiming he is "exploring his options", having been acquitted of recent FA charges, while other suggest it is manager Graham Potter who is seeking to sell.
However according to one of the more reliable transfer sources based on social media, Potter has been fending off approaches for Paqueta for several weeks as he is particularly keen to retain the player's services. The two parties are said to have discussed Paqueta's position and as a result, there is no urgency - nor desire - for a parting of the waves. We suspect there are more chapters to write in this story before the window 'slams shut' on 1 September.
Source: x.com/fabrizioromano
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