West Ham have finally been given the news they’ve been waiting for, as a respected Belgian journalist has confirmed that a Kyle Macaulay deal is back on track.
Hammers News exclusive
“We can’t go out and sign Aleksander Isak” – those were the words of under pressure West Ham boss Graham Potter as he geared up to face Chelsea on Friday night.
There was no lack of irony in the blindingly obvious statement.
As Potter faces the club who chewed him up and spat him out, it is worth remembering the Hammers boss also bemoaned Chelsea spending too much money when he was at the Stamford Bridge helm.
Of course as with everything there is a happy medium to be struck.
But after declaring he was lured to east London by West Ham’s ambition – then promising fans an “exciting and interesting summer window” Potter looks and sounds like a man who has seen the goalposts moved.
Potter bemoans West Ham’s lack of funds
With 10 days until the transfer window slams shut, Potter’s rhetoric is now all about PSR and working within the restrictions of the budget at West Ham.
It seems Hammers fans have been sold a pup – but their manager may have been too.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
The club has, rather inexplicably, left their most important business of the summer – the midfield rebuild – until last.
Although that is as much a reflection of West Ham’s lowly place in the football food chain right now as anything else.
The Hammers have signed just four players this summer – only two of those being for the first team.
And, cynics would suggest, only two of those being targets of Potter and his self-appointed head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay in the shape of El Hadji Malick Diouf and Mads Hermansen.
West Ham United coach Graham Potter during the Sunderland defeat
Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images
Turning 29 and 34 respectively this season, Kyle Walker-Peters and Callum Wilson don’t fit Potter’s publicly stated recruitment policy to bring in young players.
Their arrivals, particularly Will Salthouse client Wilson, has seen fans ask the question ‘what’s the point of Macaulay?’ if the club are not going to sign the players he and Potter want.
Now there seems to be some good news on that front.
Because a Belgian journalist has given West Ham the news they’ve been waiting for as a Macaulay deal is back on.
Belgian journalist gives West Ham news they’ve been waiting for
The central midfield problem is now bordering on an emergency given West Ham’s Premier League survival is at stake.
As a result, the Hammers fans have seen the return of the scattergun approach.
Supporters thought those days had gone and that Potter and Macaulay’s methodical, data-driven recruitment would lead to a more coherent club from top to bottom.
That was before West Ham were linked with no less than 12 – yes TWELVE – different midfielders in 24 hours.
The Hammers may be throwing names out there as a distraction technique, time will tell.
Raphael Onyedika celebrates scoring for Club Brugge against Man City in the Champions League
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
But one familiar name who was not among the 12 mentioned in various lists leaked to the likes of Jacob Steinberg, now looks like being a distinct possibility.
Because the Hammers have reignited a move for Club Brugge and Nigeria star Raphael Onyedika.
And the journalist who broke the story overnight has spoken exclusively to Hammers News to deliver an exciting update.
Sacha Tavolieri claimed West Ham are back in for the 24-year-old midfield fulcrum.
🚨🟣🛠️ EXCLUSIVE: West Ham reignites interest in Raphaël Onyedika!
🇳🇬 Following the sale of Edson Álvarez to Fenerbahçe, the Hammers have resumed monitoring the situation.
🇧🇪 Onyedika is keen on joining the Premier League this summer.#mercato #WHUFC pic.twitter.com/ckDOLVqk9o
— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) August 21, 2025
View Tweet
Macaulay deal back on for his prime Hammers target Onyedika
It was revealed earlier this summer that Onyedika was Macaulay’s prime midfielder target.
But speculation over a move had gone quiet until Tavolieri’s new claim.
The journalist says the Hammers are back in for Onyedika after offloading Edson Alvarez to Fenerbahce on loan for the season, with an option to make it permanent.
Tavolieri says Onyedika is keen on joining the Hammers as he wants to move to the Premier League.
Hammers News has now spoken to Tavolieri, who has been one of the leading transfer reporters of the summer, for an update on the move.
It was put to the well-connected Belgian whether he thinks West Ham can get the deal done for Onyedika.
His response is very promising indeed, as Tavolieri told Hammers News: “Yes I do think so.”