West Ham United transfer update emerges amid talks with Mohammed Kudus amid Lucas Paqueta to Manchester City collapse – Sky Sports
Tim Steidten is still in the Netherlands having talks over bring Mohammed Kudus to West Ham and the move is now “independent” from developments with Lucas Paqueta, according to Sky Sports.
The broadcaster reported on their online transfer liveblog on Friday afternoon (18 August) that the Hammers technical director is still pursuing the Ghanaian attacker as their interest was “live” before the approach from Manchester City for their Brazilian star.
If was evident that the West Ham side needed strengthening in certain areas even before there were major exits this summer.
Declan Rice’s departure has finally been accounted for, even if extra depth in midfield still wouldn’t go amiss, and Kudus would help fill the gap left by Gianluca Scamacca, as long as Paqueta remains at the London Stadium.
Kudus, 23, came fairly close to moving to Everton a year ago but instead put together an excellent season for Ajax, scoring 18 goals and laying on seven assists across all competitions while playing in a variety of positions.
There hasn’t been a huge amount to shout about during this transfer window, but bringing in Kudus certainly looks like it would be one thing, and if it happens in conjunction with Paqueta staying put it will be all the more exciting for the fanbase.
In other West Ham news, a goalscoring Chelsea and Totte
Since it appears Paqueta’s exit to the Etihad is now off, Sky Sports report: “West Ham don’t want to leave themselves short if a deal for the Brazil international resurfaces late in the
Fabrizio Romano had reported on his Daily Briefing on 17 August that the interest in Kudus was heightened in the event of Paqueta leaving, but Sky Sports reported in an earlier update on Friday that the exit was now “90% off”.
The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg reported on 17 August that the Kudus deal could be worth as much as £40million.
This is unfamiliar territory for West Ham fans this summer as it looks like the two pieces of good news have arrived at once.
Until the window shuts nothing can be certain but if Paqueta stays and Kudus arrives to boost the attack along with him David Moyes will have been on the receiving end of a major boost.
Keeping hold of a player who has already adapted to the Scot’s methods and the Premier League might be as beneficial as adding a very sought-after attacker, who has been linked with Chelsea and Brighton this summer, but has alerted some of the biggest sides in England and Europe in the past year [90min, 26 June].
Sheffield United are among a cluster of clubs trying to sign Italian defender, Federico Baschirotto, according to reports.
Baschirotto, 26, is currently on the books at Lecce. And according to The Sun, Sheffield United, West Ham, Fulham and Nottingham Forest are all keen on the defender.
The Sun claims that Lecce are willing to do business for Baschirotto for around £8m. It’s suggested United still want to bolster the defence, despite the signing of Auston Trusty from Arsenal this summer.
A move to England could well be the next logical step in his career as he looks to forge a way into the international set up more regularly.
For United, an outlay of around £8m would be within the budget but would seem odd given the need for attacking reinforcements as well.
The Blades have spent money recently on the likes of Gus Hamer and Vini Souza but remain woefully short in terms of quality and depth.
Sheffield United News View: Not a priority but you can never have enough good players
Given United are mentioned among a cluster of clubs who are likely to pay much bigger wages, it’s not worth getting our hopes up here.
The other thing too is that right now, a new defender isn’t exactly a pressing priority. Sure, we could do with more cover and quality, especially if we picked up just one injury in defence.
But right now, attacking players are the priority and if we spent £8m on a defender, United fans would be questioning what’s happening really.
Baschirotto is probably a very good player. And if he signs, then great. But if he signs and we get now new attackers in, then questions will be asked.
