The West Ham hierarchy have certainly been busy this week if a new transfer claim from a leading journalist is true.
After two days of sitting on the worst kept secret in football, West Ham finally put Julen Lopetegui out of his misery on Wednesday.
The Hammers announced they have sacked the Spaniard, a move which puts West Ham fans out of their misery following an appointment which simply did not work out.
Just six wins from 20 Premier League games and a 5-1 defeat at Liverpool in the Carabao Cup third round sees Lopetegui depart West Ham with a worse win ratio across all competitions than the hapless Avram Grant.
In a statement, West Ham said Lopetegui failed to meet their expectations in the first half of the season.
Those expectations has risen following a £155m summer spend on nine new players.
Technical director Tim Steidten has also come under fire over West Ham’s failings this season.
Not least because Lopetegui threw the German under the bus before the November international break.
In defending his dismal tenure, Lopetegui said he couldn’t implement his style at West Ham due to Steidten’s signings.
That was likely the beginning of the end for the Spaniard in reality.
The end came yesterday after it was leaked on Monday that majority owner David Sullivan had decided enough was enough following heavy defeats to Liverpool and Man City.
Graham Potter will be Lopetegui’s replacement.
West Ham closing on striking welcome gift for Potter
A press conference to unveil Potter was arranged for Thursday morning after he was announced the new manager.
And it seems West Ham are closing in on a striking welcome gift for Potter.
That’s according to Telegraph journalist Jason Burt.
It’s been no secret that the Irons are looking to sign a striker and midfielder in the January transfer window.
That was before losing Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen to broken bones.
Bowen is targeting an early February return to action.
But Antonio’s future is less certain.
He and Danny Ings are both out of contract at the end of the campaign.
Meanwhile Niclas Fullkrug has added to his lengthy injury history with a three-month lay-off after joining West Ham for £26.5m in the summer.
His signing is one of the deals that has put Steidten under pressure.
Fullkrug is unsettled in England and wants to leave West Ham according to a top board source.
West Ham will also listen to offers for the German international, who turns 32 this season.
With all that in mind, signing a striker is an absolute necessity.
And that’s exactly what West Ham are in talks to do – possibly as soon as Sunday.
New Hammers striker could arrive by Sunday claims journalist
Burt claims the club are closing in on signing a new forward “this week” – hot on the heels of Potter’s arrival.
The reporter claims the deal was done by the club without involvement from the now departed Lopetegui.
The striker has not been named at this stage.
“West Ham hope to sign a striker this week,” Burt claims in The Telegraph.
“It appears that deal has not involved Lopetegui.”
West Ham confirmed interest in Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte Lath to Hammers News recently.
But West Ham don’t believe ‘Boro will sell as they are chasing promotion.
The club are also interested in the situation of out of favour Brighton forward Evan Ferguson.
Potential striker options for West Ham
Although West Ham told Hammers News Ferguson has an ongoing injury which is scuppering the move.
The Irons are also keen to explore a deal for PSG flop Randal Kolo Muani.
Hammers News exclusively revealed David Sullivan’s sons have been urging him to bring Liam Delap to West Ham.
But the club appreciate they may have to wait until the summer before Ipswich consider selling.
Graeme Bailey told Hammers News that West Ham are looking at Spartak Moscow starlet Manfred Ugalde.
The 22-year-old Costa Rica international, Ugalde has 16 goals in 22 games for Spartak this season and used to play for FC Twente.
Brazilians Yuri Alberto and Igor Jesus and Mexican Santiago Giminez were also named as Hammers targets by Bailey.
If Burt’s claim is accurate, West Ham fans won’t have long to wait to find out who the incoming striker is.
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