A busy summer looms over east London.
With Graham Potter still settling in and the club walking a financial tightrope under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, West Ham United are balancing squad overhaul plans with serious budget pressures.
Players want out, new faces are being eyed, and the boardroom has some big decisions to make. Here’s a full breakdown of what’s happening right now.
Paquetá Open to Exit, Club Open to Offers
Lucas Paquetá wants a fresh start, according to GiveMeSport. The midfielder is said to be open to moves either back to Brazil with Flamengo or to Saudi Arabia.
The club are reportedly willing to sell him for around £30 million, a steep drop from the £85 million Manchester City were ready to pay before his betting investigation halted the deal. While the outcome of his hearing remains uncertain, Paquetá is said to prefer a move abroad rather than staying in England.
Internally, there’s acknowledgment that his mental state wasn’t right last season, and a fresh start could suit everyone involved.
Women’s Team Will Not Be Sold to Tackle PSR
Hammers News confirmed that West Ham’s owners have ruled out selling the women’s team as a workaround to ease financial restrictions under PSR. A club spokesperson made it clear: the women’s side brings little financial value and its losses aren’t factored into PSR rules anyway.
The Irons are forecasting losses of around £100 million in their upcoming financial accounts. With all £69 million in future transfer income already borrowed against, options are thinning.
While Chelsea and Aston Villa have reportedly shifted women’s teams to sister companies, West Ham say such a move isn’t on the cards. Alternatives being explored include player sales, a possible £90 million rights issue, or even a sale of the Gold family’s 25 percent stake, which has been on the market since last October.
Mads Hermansen Identified as Goalkeeper Solution
With Łukasz Fabiański gone and Alphonse Areola under pressure, West Ham are actively searching for a new number one. Leicester City’s Mads Hermansen has become a serious target, according to reports from WestHamZone.
Transfer insider Gianluca Di Marzio believes Hermansen is unlikely to stay at Leicester following their relegation, and he sees West Ham as a logical destination. The Danish goalkeeper made 72 appearances for the Foxes and was once described by The Times as “the best goalkeeper outside the Premier League.”
The club haven’t made a formal bid yet, but Potter is keen. With several clubs monitoring the situation, a quick move might be needed to avoid missing out.
Elliott and Hutchinson on West Ham’s Radar
As Graham Potter looks to lower the squad’s average age, Hammers News reports the club are exploring moves for two of England’s standout Under-21 players: Harvey Elliott and Omari Hutchinson.
Elliott, frustrated at Liverpool over limited minutes, is open to a move and has already been the subject of enquiries from West Ham. He was named Player of the Tournament at the recent Euros, where Hutchinson also shone.
The club sees Elliott as a natural replacement for Paquetá and Hutchinson as a possible successor to Mohammed Kudus, who is expected to leave.
While the transfer window has been open for weeks, no signings have come through yet. With pre-season around the corner, Potter has made it clear he wants new arrivals in early, not scrambling last minute.
No Deal for Calvert-Lewin Despite Everton Exit
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has announced his departure from Everton after nine years, prompting speculation once again about a move to the London Stadium.
Despite reports from The Standard and FootballTransfers suggesting West Ham were keen, Hammers News has firmly shut that down. A club spokesperson stated clearly there is “no truth” in the rumours, pointing to the striker’s ongoing injury issues.
Even with uncertainty around Michail Antonio and no permanent centre-forward in place, the club insist there’s been no change in stance.
Calvert-Lewin, who scored 71 goals in 273 games for Everton, is now a free agent. But as it stands, he won’t be wearing claret and blue next season.
Duran Pursuit Ends After Mourinho Hijack
Not really sure how true this one is but apparently West Ham made a late push to sign striker Jhon Duran from Al-Nassr, but it’s over before it started. According to TBR Football, Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce have hijacked the deal by offering a financial package the Irons simply couldn’t match.
Fenerbahce are reportedly paying a £10 million loan fee and covering Duran’s hefty wages, which top £300,000 per week. That was enough to seal the deal, especially after Mourinho spoke directly with the player.
Duran previously impressed at Aston Villa and has netted 12 goals in 18 games since moving to Saudi Arabia in January. But despite West Ham’s interest, he’ll be heading to Turkey.
The Bigger Picture
No incomings. Financial restraints. A rebuild in motion, but stuck in first gear. West Ham’s summer hasn’t kicked off as hoped.
There’s promise, though. Targets like Hermansen, Elliott, and Hutchinson point to a younger, more dynamic squad. Whether the club can move quickly and smartly in the coming weeks will define not just pre-season but the season ahead.
