West Ham are fearing an approach from Arsenal for Tim Steidten after worrying exit rumours emerged this week.
West Ham are sweating on the future of ‘pearl diver’ Tim Steidten amid interest from Arsenal.
West Ham’s recruitment chief has been a reported target for Liverpool and Newcastle since joining the club last summer.
Now it seems Premier League rivals Arsenal, who announced yesterday that their own sporting director Edu is leaving, could want the former Bayer Leverkusen man.
It comes a day after West Ham’s best player Mohammed Kudus was linked with a summer move to Arsenal.
Kudus has been hands down Steidten’s star capture since his arrival in east London.
When reports emerged of interest from elsewhere earlier this year, the most senior source inside West Ham revealed it ‘would not be easy’ to stop Steidten leaving.
Steidten set down roots and looked to be going nowhere after bringing in his brother Moritz and Max Hahn as scouts.
The German also declared his ‘euphoria’ at having full control at West Ham following the departure of David Moyes.
Steidten has come under fire from some West Ham fans over the club’s transfers in the summer.
He has also been criticised for his very public presence in and around the first team on matchdays.
Steidten said he sees West Ham as a five-year project.
But rumours emerged in West Ham circles this week that Steidten could leave the club at the end of the season, just two years into it.
In an effort to get some clarity on that speculation, Hammers News has spoken to the top spokesman for the owners.
The response was as surprising as it is concerning.
West Ham fear shock Arsenal approach for Steidten
Because not only do West Ham’s hierarchy not know whether Steidten will stay or go, they believe Arsenal are now lurking for their head of football.
Although they have confirmed the Gunners have not yet made an official approach.
It was put to the spokesman for West Ham’s owners that Steidten had previously said he sees West Ham as a five-year project.
It was also put to them that as the man in charge of the football operation, rumours he could leave were concerning.
In response, the Hammers board spokesman made the Arsenal revelation in the wake of Edu’s Emirates departure.
“Who knows with people,” the spokesman exclusively told Hammers News in response to talk Steidten could leave.
“We hear Arsenal want him.
“But there has been no official approach.”
West Ham’s owners defended Steidten amid claims he could be sacked after a barren spell in the summer transfer window.
Steidten to swap Hammers for Gunners?
Back in September, Hammers News was told by journalist Graeme Bailey that Steidten warned David Sullivan not to appoint Julen Lopetegui.
Steidten is a rare thing in modern football, a technical director with his own terrace chant.
‘Timmy Steidten’s magic’ had been heard ringing out at West Ham games and on concourses over the last year.
But his stock has fallen among certain supporters this season.
That’s despite many feeling West Ham ‘won the transfer window’ as they spent £155m on nine new signings.
One of those, Steidten’s compatriot Niclas Fullkrug, has invited particular criticism.
West Ham fans questioned the wisdom of signing a 31-year-old, injury-prone forward with a lack of pace.
Many felt the club needed a young, dynamic forward and wanted Jhon Duran.
Steidten elected to spread his budget by saving around £20m signing Fullkrug, though.
After just three cameo sub appearances for the Hammers in the league, the former Dortmund striker has been out for two months injured with no timeframe on his return.
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