West Ham Reportedly Monitoring Atalanta Striker Along With Wolves
West Ham United are among a number of clubs keeping an eye on Atalanta striker El Bilal Toure, according to claims from Africa Foot. The reports claim that West Ham are one of at least eight clubs monitoring the 22-year-old forward. Toure is under contract with Atalanta until 2027, but his future could be up in the air following an injury-hit season in Serie A. Injury Troubles But Interest Still High As noted in the report from Molineux.news, Toure fractured his metatarsal back in November and spent a significant spell on the sidelines. He returned later in the season but only made 17 appearances, managing just three goals. Still, he’s attracting attention due to his physical profile and potential. Breaking The Lines has described him as “physically imposing,” with the strength and aerial ability to lead the line. These are qualities that might appeal to West Ham as they consider their attacking options ahead of the new season. Marseille in Front, But West Ham Watching According to Molineux.news, Marseille are currently leading the race for Toure and have already opened talks with Atalanta over a potential loan move that includes an option to buy. Galatasaray, Villarreal, Rennes, Paris FC, Como, Wolves, and West Ham are also said to be monitoring the situation. Wolves, in particular, are understood to be keen as they look to strengthen after selling Matheus Cunha and with Fabio Silva expected to leave. West Ham Yet to Make a Move There’s no indication at this stage that West Ham have taken any concrete steps toward signing Toure. Molineux.news suggests their interest is real but still in the early stages, with nothing yet advanced in terms of formal negotiations. With multiple teams circling and Marseille already in discussions, it’s unclear whether the Irons will step up their interest or turn their attention to alternative striker targets. Read Next: Diouf to West Ham: Deal “Practically Agreed” as More Sources Confirm Interesting Read: A West Ham Content Creator Is Facing Backlash After a Controversial Article
West Ham Could Cash In on Sunderland’s Transfer Business
West Ham United could be set for a tidy boost this summer, as former academy midfielder Pierre Ekwah edges closer to a permanent move to Saint-Étienne. The Irons inserted a sell-on clause when Ekwah left for Sunderland in 2023, and now those terms might finally pay off. Ekwah to Saint-Étienne? Talks between Sunderland and Saint-Étienne are ongoing following Ekwah’s season-long loan in France, where he became a regular feature despite the club’s relegation. If a transfer fee is agreed, West Ham will receive a percentage, giving the club an unexpected bit of business during what’s already shaping up to be a critical summer. Ekwah Impressed in France Last Season Ekwah made 30 league appearances for Saint-Étienne last season, becoming a consistent presence in their midfield. While the campaign ended with relegation, the French club remain keen to keep the 23-year-old permanently, impressed by his displays throughout the year. Reports from France indicate the loan deal included a £6 million option to buy. There had been concerns that Saint-Étienne’s relegation would block any permanent move due to financial constraints, but it now appears those talks are progressing regardless. Saint-Étienne Keen to Keep Him Saint-Étienne boss Kristofer Horneland has confirmed he wants Ekwah to stay, telling French media:“I have no news on Léo Pétrot and Pierre Ekwah. My ambition as coach remains the same: to keep them. Ekwah had a great season in midfield in Ligue 1, which certainly gives him ambition… We’ll see if we can keep them at Saint-Étienne.” Although Ekwah is back at Sunderland for pre-season, multiple reports suggest the player is open to remaining in France. With new Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris reportedly not considering Ekwah essential to his plans, a transfer away from the Stadium of Light could happen before the window’s out. What It Means for West Ham This is where things get interesting for West Ham. If Saint-Étienne exercise their option or agree a reduced deal close to the £6 million mark, the Irons stand to collect through the sell-on clause added when Ekwah moved to Sunderland. Even a lower fee could result in a solid financial return for the club. As the Hammers navigate a summer of rebuilding, these kinds of clauses can prove incredibly valuable. While attention is rightly on incoming signings, a bit of smart business from years past could now bring in funds to help push the summer plans forward. It’s definitely a transfer saga worth keeping an eye on from an East London perspective.
West Ham Hold Firm After Tottenham’s £55m Kudus Bid
West Ham have reportedly rejected a fresh £55 million bid from Tottenham Hotspur for Mohammed Kudus, standing firm on their valuation of the Ghanaian star. Spurs are pushing hard to land Kudus as a key part of their summer rebuild, but the Hammers aren’t ready to part ways unless their price is met. Spurs Target Kudus After Transfer Moves Tottenham’s pursuit of Kudus has ramped up following their recent signings of Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso. Kudus is now top of their list as they continue reshaping the squad under new manager Thomas Frank. This latest reported £55 million offer comes after an earlier £50 million plus add-ons bid was also rejected. It’s clear Spurs want Kudus, but so far, they haven’t got close enough to tempt West Ham into a deal. Kudus Open to Switch, But West Ham Not Budging Reports from TBR Football suggest Kudus is open to joining Spurs and sees the move as an important next step in his career. The 25-year-old made a big impact in his first Premier League season, contributing nine goals and assists, and he’s attracting wider interest too. While other sides keep watch, Tottenham are thought to be leading the chase. Even so, West Ham are keeping control of the situation and won’t be strong-armed into selling below their terms. Price Remains the Key Issue West Ham are understood to be willing to consider offers around £65 million. Kudus has an £85 million release clause that remains active until July 10, but Spurs are trying to strike a lower fee before then. Despite financial rule considerations hovering in the background, there’s no sign the Hammers are desperate to sell. New boss Graham Potter is set to make changes this summer, but Kudus won’t leave unless the valuation is met. Can Levy Push Through a Deal? Talks are ongoing, though Spurs have yet to signal a third offer is coming. With the release clause ticking towards expiry, the spotlight is now on Daniel Levy. Will he meet West Ham’s demands or look elsewhere? For now, Kudus is still a West Ham player, and unless Tottenham come up with a serious bid, that’s how it’ll stay.
Diouf to West Ham: Deal “Practically Agreed” as More Sources Confirm
Last night we ran an article breaking the story that West Ham were closing in on El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague. At that time, the information was coming from an unverified Czech source who claimed the deal was already confirmed. Naturally, with the source being unverified, we weren’t completely sure how much weight to put behind it. Further Diouf to West Ham Confirmation Reports from Czech outlet Deník Sport are now saying the deal is “practically agreed” and that West Ham and Slavia Prague have found a structure that works for both sides. It’s expected to include bonuses to bring the value up to Slavia’s requested €25 million. That adds credibility to what we heard yesterday and confirms that the move has moved into advanced stages. Advanced Talks for Diouf Reports from Claret & Hugh are echoing the same thing: West Ham have been in discussions with Slavia Prague for several days. While the initial offer fell short of Slavia’s valuation, talks have continued and both sides seem confident in reaching the final agreement. A West Ham transfer source, quoted by the outlet, said: “They’re definitely talking to the club and the player. I think they’ll get it over the line.” Personal terms aren’t believed to be a problem, so it’s mainly about tying up the fee structure at this point. Agreement Close Thanks to Bonuses The big shift seems to have come with the structure of the deal. As Deník Sport is now reporting, the total package will include add-ons to satisfy the Prague side’s €25 million target. That looks like the breakthrough and brings the move far closer to the finish line than it might have seemed 24 hours ago. What felt a bit speculative last night now has more solid backing. If Deník Sport are right here, and the remaining details get ironed out, West Ham could very well have their first signing of the summer. Another Slavia Connection Should the deal be completed, Diouf would follow the same path as Tomáš Souček and Vladimír Coufal, both of whom joined West Ham from Slavia Prague. That established relationship between the clubs seems to be paying off again. Diouf, 20, has also previously been linked with Atalanta, though there’s been no recent movement from the Italian side. That silence has only boosted West Ham’s chances of sealing the deal. As it stands, nothing’s been officially announced yet. But with C&H and Deník Sport now backing up last night’s claims, there’s real confidence that this one’s close.
West Ham Close In on Diouf as Record-Breaking Deal Emerges
West Ham are pushing to sign El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague in what could become the most expensive transfer in Czech league history. The 20-year-old left-back has been the club’s top target this summer, and reports suggest an agreement may now be in place. The final fee is believed to be around €25 million, which would mark a serious investment in one of Europe’s most exciting young full-backs. Unverified Claim: “Deal Is Done” A claim circulating online from Czech-based footballer @Sodomic33, who plays in the second division and supports Slavia Prague, states the deal is complete. According to him, Diouf will join West Ham and become the Czech league’s record sale. While he’s said to be close with Tomas Soucek, this source remains unofficial. No confirmation has been issued by either club or any of the usual trusted journalists. Why Diouf Is the One West Ham Want Diouf ticks every box for West Ham’s new recruitment approach. He’s quick, powerful, defensively sharp, and only 20 years old. ExWHUEmployee called him “the sort of value for money we have been looking for,” reflecting the belief that he could develop into a top Premier League player with time and the right coaching. West Ham and Slavia: A Familiar Path Negotiations haven’t been straightforward. Slavia initially refused to accept West Ham’s £20 million valuation, according to Ex. The Czech side held firm on their price. But the two clubs share a strong relationship thanks to past deals for Soucek and Vladimir Coufal, and that may have helped push things forward. Backups Ready Just in Case Should the deal fall through, the club have fallback options ready. Leif Davis of Ipswich Town has been scouted extensively and is admired internally. Nathaniel Brown of Eintracht Frankfurt and Oscar Mingueza of Celta Vigo are also on the radar. But while the club are prepared to pivot if needed, Diouf remains the clear first choice. Moving Quickly to Avoid a Bidding War There was urgency behind West Ham’s push. Other clubs were circling, and the Hammers didn’t want to get caught in a summer bidding war. If the reported agreement is accurate, they’ve acted decisively to lock in their man before the market got crowded. What’s Next? As of now, nothing has been confirmed by West Ham. The source claiming the deal is done is unverified, so fans are right to stay cautious. But the momentum is clearly building. Whether or not it’s signed and sealed yet, Diouf remains firmly at the centre of West Ham’s summer plans. Read Next: “DREADFUL” – Fans React to West Ham’s New 2025/26 Home Kit Interesting Read: A West Ham Content Creator Is Facing Backlash After a Controversial Article
Antonio Still Training at West Ham but “Too Early to Say” if Deal Will Be Offered
West Ham United have allowed Michail Antonio to continue training at Rush Green, despite the expiration of his contract on Monday. The 34-year-old is now officially a free agent, but the club is offering him access to their gym and facilities as he works on recovering from injury and staying match fit. Club Extends Support as Antonio Recovers Although no new contract has been offered, the Irons are helping their long-serving forward maintain his fitness levels during a period of uncertainty. Antonio, who joined West Ham in 2015, made over 200 Premier League appearances for the club and became their all-time top scorer in the competition. The club’s support in this instance reflects a strong relationship after nearly a decade of service. Interestingly enough, Claret & Hugh report that, “Whether West Ham go on and offer Mikey a deal is too early to say.” No Indication of a Return For now, there’s no indication that the Hammers plan to bring Antonio back into the squad. Pre-season preparations are getting underway, but the forward is currently focused on fitness and staying sharp while exploring new opportunities. The Jamaican international is said to be determined to return to full condition as he considers his next step. Where Antonio ends up next remains unclear, but the door at West Ham hasn’t been slammed shut.
“DREADFUL” – Fans React to West Ham’s New 2025/26 Home Kit
West Ham have dropped their new Umbro home kit for the 2025/26 season, launching it under the tagline United by More. According to the club’s website, the campaign focuses on the connection between the team, the fans, and its East End roots. But while the shirt has hit the shelves, it hasn’t landed cleanly with everyone. Classic Colours, Subtle Tweaks The design sticks with tradition: a deep claret base, touches of pale blue, and a striped V-neck collar with matching sleeve trim. The full-colour crest is back too, sitting alongside logos from new sponsor BoyleSports and Intuit QuickBooks. It’s a safer look this year, but safe hasn’t stopped the arguments. Fans Weigh In Across Socials Once the kit was announced, we posted it across Hammer Bytes socials and fans took to the comments to give their opinion. Reactions came quick, and they didn’t all agree. One Instagram user slammed it: “Just looks ugly. Reminds me of something you’d see on PES.” Another wrote, “Dreadful, no imagination. We are claret and blue FFS.”To be fair, I can almost see where they are coming from. The kit most certainly lacks blue in my opinion. Another thing I can’t ignore is reverting back to the original logo on the kit. Having seen the blue variation being used last year, my eyes are just so used it. Personally, I think last years kit was really nice and would go as far as to say it is probably up there with one of the best. Still, a few appreciated the cleaner feel. One comment simply read, “oooooh it’s clean”. I mean thats not wrong, the design itself is quite clean – all it needed was a bit more blue (again, just my opinion). Nostalgia and “Unsponsored” Hopes On TikTok, the comments leaned more reflective. One fan said it gave them flashbacks to “the 18/19 kit prime Antonio.” Another admitted, “I don’t know if I love it or hate it”. There were also a handful of suggestions. One fan felt the kit might shine more without any branding: “Unsponsored would look pretty good”. On that, I do feel like the logo is quite abnormally large. Thankfully, our sponsorship deal with Boyle Sports will only last for the year, so we won’t need to put up with it for too long. The Divide Continues Some like the simplicity. Others miss the bolder blue. There’s no real consensus, just a wide mix of opinions, and that’s probably exactly what you’d expect with a West Ham kit drop. Fans can explore the full reveal and have their say across the club’s platforms, or join the ongoing debate on fan pages like HammerBytes. Recent News: West Ham have submitted a bid for Richard Rios? Interesting Read: 5 Tottenham Players that Might Be Used in a Kudus-Swap Deal
West Ham See €25m Bid for Richard Rios Rejected by Palmeiras
Palmeiras have turned down a €25 million bid from West Ham United for midfielder Richard Rios. The latest update comes via South American journalist @GuarroPas, who reports that the Brazilian side are holding out for €30 million. It’s not the first time the Irons have found themselves €5 million short. The exact same gap stalled the club’s move for El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague. Same Story, Different Target This is West Ham’s first formal offer for Rios, following a report from Hammers News on 21 June which suggested Palmeiras wouldn’t entertain any talks until after their Club World Cup campaign. Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola said the player wouldn’t be going anywhere until mid-July at the earliest, depending on how long Palmeiras remain in the tournament. Palmeiras could be involved until 13 July. Even then, they are not expected to settle for anything less than full value. Nicola claimed they’re actually holding out for €40 million, with clubs like Porto, Sporting CP, Manchester United, and Tottenham all showing interest. Rios a Top Priority for Potter New boss Graham Potter has made it clear he wants more power and flexibility in midfield. Richard Rios ticks both boxes. Potter and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay are also keeping tabs on a whole host of other players, all of which we are reporting on hammerbytes.com so take a look at other west ham transfer news. Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira recently called Rios “a versatile player” who can handle both attacking and defensive roles. It’s a profile that fits what West Ham appear to be building under Potter. €5m Short Again It’s hard to ignore the pattern here. West Ham were reportedly €5 million short on Diouf, and now the same figure separates them from Rios. Some fans have started to question why the club keeps pulling up just short when a modest bump might get the deal done. It’s especially frustrating with no signings through the door so far this summer. Whether the board are drawing a hard line or simply dragging their feet, there’s growing pressure to act decisively. Potter’s rebuild won’t wait forever. Clock Ticking Ahead of Talks Palmeiras are still competing in the Club World Cup, so serious talks are not expected to begin for another week or so. When they do, the Hammers will have to decide whether to raise their offer or risk missing out on another key target over what looks, once again, like a small gap in valuation.
West Ham Monitoring Toulouse and England U-21 Defender Charlie Cresswell
West Ham are keeping a close eye on England U21 centre-back Charlie Cresswell, according to ExWHUEmployee via The West Ham Way Podcast. The club view the Toulouse defender as a serious summer target as they aim to bring in younger, homegrown talent. Cresswell has impressed with his performances in Ligue 1 and for England’s U21 side. At just 21, he fits the profile of the kind of player West Ham’s recruitment lead Kyle Macaulay and new head coach Graham Potter want to build around. £18 Million Price Tag from Toulouse The Sun also claims Toulouse are asking for around £18 million to let go of the defender. That fee could be a potential hurdle, as West Ham look to manage their budget during what’s expected to be a busy window for both incoming and outgoing players. Cresswell joined Toulouse from Leeds United last year and appears to have settled well in France. Sunderland are also reportedly interested, but West Ham’s Premier League standing and the project under Potter might be a more attractive option for the player. Squad Rebuild Gathers Momentum West Ham’s early efforts this summer have mostly focused on offloading players and raising funds. Now the attention is shifting to bringing new faces in, with Cresswell looking like a priority addition. There hasn’t been an official approach yet, but the level of interest suggests talks could kick off in the near future. With recruitment plans speeding up, the next few weeks may see developments on multiple targets.
West Ham Told to Raise Bid by €5m More for Diouf
West Ham United have been told they’ll need to increase their offer by €5 million if they want to land El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague, according to Claret & Hugh. The 20-year-old defender has already attracted interest from multiple clubs, with the Hammers seeing a €20 million bid turned down. Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano also reported the rejected offer, noting that two other unnamed clubs are chasing the Senegal international. Deal Stalls Despite Agreement With Player West Ham have reportedly agreed personal terms with Diouf and his representatives. But that hasn’t been enough to move the deal forward. Slavia Prague are holding out for a fee closer to €25 million before they’re prepared to sign off on the transfer. Claret & Hugh report that Kyle Macaulay, who leads the club’s recruitment, is now weighing whether to raise the bid or refocus efforts elsewhere. West Ham’s scouting team has been casting a wide net across Europe in recent months, especially in markets like Denmark, Belgium, and the Czech Republic, hoping to unearth rising talent at better value. Focus on Left-Back Options as Emerson Exit Looms Part of the urgency in securing a deal for Diouf comes from the club’s expectation that Emerson Palmieri could be on his way out. The 29-year-old left-back has been linked with a summer exit, and West Ham are making that position a clear priority in this window. Diouf has emerged as a key target for the club’s reshuffle, but it remains unclear whether the board will agree to match Slavia Prague’s asking price.