West Ham United have not had the busiest of transfer windows so news of one that got away – and then joined bitter rivals Chelsea – will not go down well.
Slaven Bilic is desperate to reshape his squad with four “game-changer” signings this summer.
Two strikers are top of his priority list but so far only experienced right back Pablo Zabaleta – who turns 33 next season – has joined the Hammers.
The East Londoners have struggled to bring in the required quality to trouble the top six since their move to the Olympic Stadium despite big promises from owners David Sullivan and David Gold.
Speculation is linking West Ham with club record bids for multiple striker targets while the likes of Joe Hart, Chris Smalling and Ross Barkley have also been mentioned.
Meanwhile rival Premier League clubs have suddenly burst into action on the recruitment front in the last week with Chelsea the latest on the verge of a major deal, to sign Roma and Germany defender Antonio Rudiger for £33.4 million, as reported by the likes of Sky Sports.
Antonio Rudiger
Rudiger, 24, is set to sign a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge and starred for Germany as they won the Confederations Cup.
West Ham’s own player pursuits are yet to bare fruit much to the frustration of the club’s fans.
So news that the club could have signed Rudiger for just £8 million three years ago will prove galling.
The Hammers wanted the centre back – who can also operate at right back – around the same time they signed Enner Valencia back in 2014, as reported by the likes of The Mirror at the time.
His club back then, Stuttgart, wanted £8 million for the player – the same amount West Ham paid Southampton for ageing centre back Jose Fonte in January.
He actually went on to join Roma for even less – £7.4 million – last summer, representing a cool £26m profit for the Serie A side.
The Hammers will have two 34-year-old centre backs and a 33-year-old right back as part of their squad next season in the shape of Fonte, James Collins and Zabaleta.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic wants four “game changer” signings
Rudiger is very much one that got away and the pill is all the more bitter to swallow now that Chelsea are paying such a large fee to get their man.
But there might be some light at the end of the tunnel yet.
With that money and the near £40m Roma made from the sale of Mo Salah to Liverpool, it could mean they have the funds available to follow through on their interest in taking flop Sofiane Feghouli off West Ham’s hands.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
