An image of Graham Potter with a circular inset of David Sullivan.
Credit:vImago
Samuel Fabre
Fri 29 August 2025 8:00, UK
West Ham have endured a torrid start to the season, with Graham Potter looks to make some much-needed additions to his squad.
Potter is already under pressure at West Ham, who sit bottom of the Premier League table and have been knocked out of the EFL Cup already.
Needing urgent reinforcement in midfield, West ham are close to signing Mateus Fernandes from Southampton for a deal that could rise above £35million.
With the signing of Soungoutou Magassa close to completion, West Ham’s midfield rebuild is starting to take place in the last week of the summer window.
Despite this, one of West Ham’s long-term targets is now facing interest from Wolves.
Graham Potter looks curiously in the West Ham dugout.
Credit: Imago
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Hayden Hackney attracting interest from Wolves
The Telegraph reporter John Percy states that Wolves have added Middlesborough’s Hayden Hackney to their list of options.
#Wolves have added Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney to their list of options for a new CM. England u21 international has also been a target for West Ham & Ipswich in this transfer window. Boro are reluctant to sell Hackney this summer #utb #boro
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) August 28, 2025
Hackney has been linked with a move to West Ham for many transfer windows, and the wait could go on, with Middlesborough ‘reluctant’ to sell their 23-year-old star.
Hackney has made 10 appearance for the England Under-21s, and was part of the side that won the 2025 European Championships in Slovakia.
At a club level, Hackney has risen through the ranks to become one of Middlesborough’s key stars as they look to secure a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.
Season Appearances Goals Assists FotMob rating
2022/23 38 3 4 7.2
2023/24 28 2 2 7.1
2024/25 44 5 3 7.3
2025/26 4 1 1 7.4
Hayden Hackney’s Middlesborough stats in ALL competitions over the last four years (via Fotmob).
Whilst Hackney is more of a box-to-box midfielder, it is clear to see that he is steadily improving year-on-year.
A potential move would see him link-up with the West Ham-bound Matheus Fernandes effectively, with each midfielder’s traits complimenting the other’s nicely.
Read more: West Ham owners unhappy with ‘damning’ Luis Guilherme development amid loan update
An image of Hayden Hackney warming up for Middlesbrough
Credit: Imago
Matheus Fernandes could be an exciting signing for West Ham
If he completes his move to East London, Fernandes’ rise in football will reach yet another height.
The 21-year-old midfielder came through Sporting CP’s academy, but failed to establish himself as a regular starter in Portugal.
His subsequent transfer to Southampton for £15m was a personal success, despite his club finishing rock bottom of the Premier League.
He scored two goals and registered four assists in the Premier League last season, and now looks to move to West Ham for a fee that is double of what Southampton paid.
With Lucas Paqueta’s future unclear, Fernandes could step up to be the perfect replacement for West Ham this season.
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