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West Ham pick up pace in transfer hunt as mystery signing could go ahead before weekend - report

WHW Transfer Rumours graphic

WHW Transfer Rumours graphic

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The Hammers have suddenly stepped up their transfer business after a painfully slow start to the summer, with Arne Engels, Manor Solomon and Joel Piroe all arriving in recent days.

And it appears another deal has been progressing completely under the radar.

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According to ExWHUemployee, via The West Ham Way's Patreon, West Ham have a medical booked for an as-yet unidentified player on Friday.

For once, there doesn't appear to be a clear indication of who the mystery player actually is.

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West Ham fans have become accustomed to knowing almost every detail of a transfer long before it is eventually announced.

We've seen that throughout this summer.

Engels' pursuit dragged on for weeks before an agreement with Celtic was finally reached, while the Solomon and Piroe deals were also widely reported before either player completed their move.

But this one feels different.

It appears Nils Koppen and his recruitment team have done a very good job at keeping this one quiet.

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But who could it really be?

There are certainly enough positions West Ham could still be looking to strengthen.

Centre-back arguably remains the biggest concern.

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Jean-Clair Todibo has agreed terms with Marseille over a return to France, while Axel Disasi now looks set to join Crystal Palace after his impressive loan spell at West Ham last season.

That leaves Nuno relatively light in central defence.

Rav van den Berg has been linked, while Cardiff City's Dylan Lawlor has also been identified as a target during the summer.

Another winger also makes sense.

West Ham have already had a bid rejected for Viking youngster Edvin Austbø, while a separate offer has reportedly gone in for Kongsvinger winger Daniel Job.

Solomon's arrival has strengthened Nuno's options on the left, but there is still very little natural cover for Jarrod Bowen on the opposite flank.

Meanwhile, at left-back, El Hadji Malick Diouf continues to attract interest and his departure would immediately create another hole in the squad.

So there really is no shortage of possibilities.

Perhaps the most encouraging part of this update is that West Ham appear to have another deal significantly further advanced than anybody realised.

Fans have spent much of the summer watching several important players leave without replacements arriving quickly enough.

But Engels has arrived for £22m, giving Nuno the marquee midfielder he desperately needed.

Solomon provides proven Championship quality out wide, and Piroe gives West Ham a striker who has scored 73 goals across his previous spells in the division.

Nuno made it clear after the Burnley game that he needed more reinforcements.

There is always the possibility that this mystery player has already appeared on one of West Ham's many transfer shortlists.

But it could be that Koppen has managed to pull something completely unexpected out of the bag.

Given how difficult it is to keep transfers secret these days, that would be a welcome change.

For now, all we really know is that a medical is reportedly booked for Friday.

West Ham's transfer window finally appears to have gathered some serious momentum.

Who do you think the mystery player is? What position would you prefer us to strengthen next? Have your say in the comments below for a chance to WIN a brand new West Ham shirt...

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