West Ham are concerned about the delay to Harry Maguire’s move from Manchester United and are drawing up alternative targets in central defence.
The club are gearing up for a busy end to the transfer window and, along with trying to strengthen their defence, are preparing for the likelihood of losing Lucas Paquetá to Manchester City by looking for replacements in attacking midfield.
West Ham, who could offer Jesse Lingard a contract after inviting the free agent to build his fitness by training with them, are interested in Mohammed Kudus and have contacted Ajax about the Ghana international. The move is not advanced and West Ham, who have strengthened in midfield after completing the £30m signing of James Ward-Prowse from Southampton, have also targeted the City winger Cole Palmer.
David Moyes needs signings after the £105m sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal. The manager has bolstered his midfield, following up the signing of Edson Álvarez from Ajax by recruiting Ward-Prowse, and wants a central defender. Moyes has pushed for Maguire and West Ham agreed a £30m deal with United for the 30-year-old last week.
Although Maguire has agreed personal terms with West Ham, the transfer is yet to go through. The issue is understood to relate to Maguire wanting a payoff from United. He received a considerable salary increase as a result of United qualifying for the Champions League and would be on less money at West Ham.
James Ward-Prowse was confirmed as a £30m signing for West Ham from Southampton. Photograph: West Ham United FC/Getty Images
The lack of clarity has led to concern at West Ham that Maguire is stalling and unsure over the move. They do not want to wait much longer and are assessing other targets. There is also a feeling within the recruitment department that West Ham could do with a quicker centre-back. There is interest in the Bayer Leverkusen duo Jonathan Tah and Odilon Kossounou.
It has not been an easy summer for West Ham who have moved slowly since losing Rice and are now likely to lose another key asset. Paquetá has been unsettled by City’s interest and wants to leave. City are understood to be preparing a new bid for the Brazilian.
West Ham are tracking Kudus, who has been targeted by Arsenal and Chelsea. The winger has also seen a move to Brighton collapse over personal terms and is one of several targets for West Ham. They have also inquired about taking Palmer on loan during talks with City but the England Under-21 international is likelier to go on a permanent basis.
There is intrigue over Lingard, who had a productive spell on loan at West Ham two years ago. The former Manchester United attacker snubbed West Ham to join Nottingham Forest on a lucrative contract last year but his time at the City Ground was blighted by injuries. Moyes is assessing the England international’s level in training and there is a small chance he will be offered a contract.
