Pep Guardiola has paved the way for West Ham to get one of their top targets out of Manchester City in the January window.
At the halfway stage of the January transfer window Man City have already crushed a West Ham pipe dream.
The Hammers had been heavily linked with Egyptian star Omar Marmoush over the last six months or so.
Unfortunately for West Ham, Marmoush’s form has been so outstanding it has prompted Manchester City to blow everyone else out of the water to sign him in January for a reported £75m.
When West Ham were first being linked with Marmoush, the idea of signing him was not as far-fetched as it might seem now.
Especially as he had been snapped up on a free transfer by Eintracht Frankfurt – and therefore any deal represented pure profit for the German club.
Marmoush signing for Man City does have a potential domino effect for West Ham, though.
Or at least it should.
It still pains West Ham fans to think former Man City academy graduate Cole Palmer could and should be playing for them.
Hammers vice-chair Karren Brady and ex boss David Moyes have both publicly confirmed West Ham had a deal in place with Man City to sign Palmer.
Lucas Paqueta was going the other way until the allegations against him arose and put paid to the moves.
Chelsea swooped and the rest, as they say, is history.
It remains to be seen whether Guardiola reignites interest in Paqueta if he is cleared of any wrongdoing in the summer.
Quite how long West Ham would have been able to hold on to Palmer for if they did sign him is another matter. But it would have been fun while it lasted and potentially very lucrative.
Both West Ham and Man City have fallen way below their respective expectations this season.
After a £155m summer splurge, the Irons were tipped to challenge for Europe.
Some even had West Ham down as outsiders for a shot at a Champions League spot with England on course for at least one additional place this season.
As a result of Julen Lopetegui’s dismal campaign, Graham Potter finds himself back in football at West Ham.
Potter likes a certain profile of player to fit his style and approach.
So it should come as no surprise that after West Ham put Potter on standby at the start of December, links started to emerge to Manchester City midfielder James McAtee.
But what are West Ham waiting for as Pep Guardiola makes it clear a Man City deal is there to be done for McAtee.
Midfield is a huge issue for West Ham.
West Ham are sorely lacking in the middle of the park both in terms of power and athleticism as well as guile.
When it comes to midfield, Potter prefers versatile players who are comfortable on the ball in a variety of roles.
Journalist Alan Nixon revealed ahead of the window that West Ham want McAtee from Man City.
Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian – who is well connected at the London Stadium – added further credibility to the claim.
McAtee is an exciting and versatile midfielder who – at 22 – is a great age as well.
He enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Sheffield United over the last two years, scoring 14 goals and laying on eight assists in 75 appearances.
McAtee has barely featured for Man City this season until more recently, despite their catalogue of injuries and issues.
It was reported that West Ham opened talks with their Etihad counterparts over McAtee just before Christmas.
According to The Telegraph, McAtee is unhappy at the Etihad Stadium and is seeking to leave the club for more game time this month.
Man City have now gone out and signed attacking midfielder Marmoush to push him further down the pecking order.
With other clubs like Forest and foreign sides reportedly interested, it beggars belief that the Hammers are dragging their heels.
Especially after an admission from Guardiola on McAtee’s future.
West Ham are looking at loans with options or obligations to buy this month.
And Guardiola has admitted he has changed his stance on allowing McAtee to leave on that basis.
“I would love him to stay, yeah!” Guardiola said.
“I was the one to say last summer NO about a loan move.
“But he didn’t play so much, so we will see what happens.”
Hammers chief David Sullivan needs to get on the phone to Man City and get the wheels in motion on this.
Hopefully that is already the case.
McAtee would appear to be ideal for Potter and his style.
Man City are open to the move, as Guardiola has admitted, and the player wants more game time too.
It’s a no-brainer and a move that surely suits all parties.
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