SUMMARY
- West Ham United is having a terrible season.
- After rejection from Ruben Amorim, it looks like the hammers are bracing themselves for some high-profile exits.
West Ham United has become one of the best case studies of how to build a soccer team from scratch. The team which was fighting mid-table mediocrity a decade ago, now constantly challenges for the European qualification places.
This has been possible due to their great transfer policy that has been engineered by the owners David Sulivan and Co. West Ham has made some very smart signings in recent years at a reasonable price which has really elevated the London team’s performances.
🚨 West Ham are expecting Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paquetá and Edson Alvarez to push for moves away from the club this summer.
(Source: Football Insider) pic.twitter.com/w3np45qXiV
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) May 2, 2024
Some of their marquee signings include Edson Alvarez, Mohammed Kudus, and Lucas Paqueta. While Alvarez and Kudus arrived from Dutch side AFC Ajax, Paqueta had to leave Olympique Lyonnais to join the Premier League. The three players have adjusted very well in the new league, and are some of PL’s best players in their positions.
Their splendid performances, however, have also made them highly sought-after, with many clubs interested in the three players. It has now been revealed that even West Ham is aware that the trio of Kudus, Alvarez, and Paqueta might force their way out of ‘The Hammers’ in the summer of 2024.
Mohammed Kudus is on Liverpool’s wishlist, with ‘The Reds’ scouting the Ghanaian for quite some time now. The player also has a release clause in his contract which would get activated only in the summer of 2025. Similarly, Edson Alvarez is attracting interest from FC Bayern Munich. Moreover, Lucas Paqueta has been a long-term target for the reigning Premier League Champions, Manchester City.
Lucas Paqueta reveals his feelings about Manchester City’s interest in him
Man City were very close to agreeing a deal with West Ham United for the Brazilian during the 2023 summer transfer window. The deal was rumored to be around $100 million, which would have made it one of the most expensive transfer deals in PL history. However, the deal finally ended up failing to materialize.
Yet, Manchester City’s interest in the 26-year-old has reportedly resumed in 2024, with ‘The Cityzens’ plotting a summer swoop. Even, Lucas Paqueta has revealed that he is well aware of Man City’s interest in him. He said, “That stuff is from last summer window, now it’s time to finish the season and see what happens. I’m very happy at West Ham, I can’t lie, and I also have massive respect for the club”
🇧🇷 Lucas Paquetá on Man City interest for the summer: “That stuff is from last summer window, now it’s time to finish the season and see what happens”.
“I’m very happy at West Ham, I can’t lie; and I’ve also massive respect for the club”, told @j_castelobranco. pic.twitter.com/zBM1ZujHOi
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 27, 2024
Despite claiming to be very happy at West Ham United, Lucas Paqueta is very likely to leave West Ham for Manchester City, if an offer arrives. Man City coach, Pep Guardiola is reportedly a big fan of the Brazilian midfielder, and playing under one of the greatest managers of all time could be an added motivation for Paqueta.
Ruben Amorim’s deal with West Ham United falls through
Even without the rumored outgoings, West Ham is bound to have a very busy transfer window this summer. The club is on the lookout for a new manager, replacing David Moyes. The 2022/23 UEL winners have already held negotiations with Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim, which unfortunately did not go well.
Ruben Amorim has since come out, explaining the reasons behind the failure of the move. He said, “It was a mistake. The timing was completely wrong”. The Sporting CP manager also looked pretty apologetic for holding negotiations with West Ham, whilst still managing the Portuguese club.
🚨🇵🇹 Rúben Amorim on travelling to London to meet with West Ham: “It was a mistake. The timing was completely wrong”.
“I’m always asking my players to be respectful… and I wasn’t — even if I informed the club before”.
“I’m so sorry and I apologise to fans, club and players”. pic.twitter.com/O5YWhZ2gRm
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 27, 2024
The 39-year-old said, “I’m always asking my players to be respectful… and I wasn’t — even if I informed the club before”. I’m so sorry and I apologize to fans, club, and players.”
Before West Ham, Liverpool had shown interest in the manager, but even then Ruben Amorim could not find an exit door to Sporting CP. Although the manager is still attracting interest from all over Europe, it will be exciting to see where Ruben ends up managing.