West Ham United returned to winning ways with a brilliant win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday. That win will give them a lot of confidence – but their luck in the transfer window hasn’t changed.
The Irons’ priority target this window was Burnley’s James Tarkowski. David Moyes’ men have had three bids rejected for the England international (Sky Sports) and it appears he’s set to stay at Turf Moor for now (Lancs Live).
However, the Hammers had a replacement in mind and tabled a take-it-or-leave-it offer worth £33 million for Saint-Etienne’s Wesley Fofana (Sky Sports). The teenager is one of the brightest defensive prospects in France and the Irons would have landed a brilliant centre-half.
However, it looks as if they have missed out – again. Le Progres claims Leicester City have agreed a £32 million fee plus another £4.5 million in add-ons, with a deal expected to be completed soon.
That’s a lot of money for a teenager but Leicester fought hard to seal the deal. The agreed fee was their fourth bid for Fofana, and West Ham could regret missing out on him if he hits the ground running in the Premier League.
What next for West Ham?
With the transfer window closing next week, the odds are against West Ham in their pursuit of another defender. Leicester signing Fofana means they are out of the race for Tarkowski but West Ham were a long way off Burnley’s valuation and the chances of signing him look slim at best.
The win against Wolves will give them confidence to carry on without major additions. However, with games coming thick and fast, the Hammers will need luck on their side to get through the campaign without fear of a relegation battle.
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