West Ham hijacking Newcastle move suddenly makes perfect sense as Espanyol come calling

At a time when the manager of the England team being German is dividing opinion, Graham Potter and Eddie Howe’s paths may one day lead to the Three Lions helm.

Especially as Thomas Tuchel has only signed a short-term deal.

If Potter ends up doing half as good a job at West Ham as Howe has done at Newcastle then the Hammers will be in a fantastic place.

Potter’s West Ham overhaul plans bad news for Newcastle

To do that Potter knows he needs to overhaul his West Ham squad.

So a big summer looms and the Irons cannot afford to make anymore transfer window missteps.

Potter apologised to West Ham fans after defeat to Newcastle last week.

Hammers fans were not happy with what they say and some jeered the team off.

Potter explained that he has been so busy trying to clean up West Ham’s defensive mess, that getting the attack right has had to wait.

The Hammers boss is looking to drive down the age of his squad and refresh it around an English spine.

West Ham hijacking Newcastle move suddenly makes sense

West Ham hijacking Newcastle move suddenly makes perfect sense as Espanyol come calling

PSR will restrict what West Ham can do this summer, meaning sales are needed to fund signings.

Newcastle know all about that despite have the richest sports club owners on the planet.

Ironically Potter’s rebuild could start with one of West Ham’s best players from their defeat to the Magpies being shipped out.

And now West Ham hijacking a Newcastle move suddenly makes perfect sense as Espanyol come calling.

Many feel the striker department and midfield is in most urgent need of a rebuild at the London Stadium.

The combined age of the three strikers West Ham own will be 99 when Michail Antonio turns 35 next week.

Espanyol come calling for Areola

But if you think that’s bad just take a look at the goalkeeping situation.

Alphonse Areola, number two Lukasz Fabianski and back-up stopper Wes Foderingham have a combined age of 106.

Unsurprisingly, Potter and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay want to do something about it.

That’s according to reports this week, claiming West Ham are now rivalling Newcastle for James Trafford.

Trafford is taking the Championship by storm, keeping an astonishing 27 clean sheets in 38 games.

The Burnley man has only conceded 11 goals all season.

For context, West Ham conceded that in the three games at the turn of the year.

Areola out, Trafford in at the London Stadium?

Clarets defender CJ Egan-Riley has backed 22-year-old Trafford will go on to become one of, if not the, world’s best goalkeepers.

The links to Trafford came somewhat out of the blue with many feeling he was certain to sign for Newcastle.

West Ham have also been linked with Southampton goalkeeper – and Trafford’s England teammate – Aarom Ramsdale.

Areola has been steady since regaining the number one spot under Potter.

The 6ft 5in former PSG star was actually wanted by Howe at Newcastle before he made his West Ham loan permanent in 2020.

Areola has been in and out of the team with inconsistent performances levels.

That has cost him his place in the France squad for the March internationals too.

He’s been doing well, if not outstanding, under Potter.

Howe could be left empty handed

The general consensus at West Ham is that a shake-up of the goalkeeping department is needed.

Now we might be seeing why.

Veteran Fabianski is out of contract and make leave for a return to his homeland.

Meanwhile, Spanish side Espanyol have reportedly come calling for Areola.

According to an exclusive from Football Transfers, West Ham are pushing hard for a new goalkeeper as they will consider interest in Areola from Espanyol.

Providing they stay up in a tight La Liga relegation battle, West Ham could well take the opportunity to raise some much-needed funds by offloading Areola to Espanyol.

That money would go towards helping the Hammers beat Newcastle to Trafford.

Although the Magpies securing European football has given them a distinct advantage over West Ham in negotiations.