West Ham United have attributed their sluggish start to the summer transfer window to the ongoing UEFA Under-21 European Championship, according to reports from Hammers News, KUMB, and ExWHUemployee.

Key Targets Still in Action

Several of the Irons’ top targets are currently involved in the U21 Euros, which concludes this weekend. The club’s recruitment team, led by new head coach Graham Potter and Head of Recruitment Kyle Macaulay, are said to be focusing on younger talent. Many of those players are competing in Slovakia and remain unavailable for discussions until their international duties are complete.

This strategy is in line with Potter’s wider vision for a youth-focused rebuild at the London Stadium. But the delay in action hasn’t gone down well with everyone.

Fans Question the Hold-Up

While the club’s explanation may be valid on paper, some fans aren’t entirely convinced. Damien Charles Lucas of Hammers News highlights growing supporter frustration, with suggestions that the U21 tournament is being used as a convenient excuse to mask deeper issues.

After a disappointing run of just 15 wins from the last 57 Premier League matches, many fans are calling for more urgency in the transfer market. The feeling is that excuses are wearing thin.

Rebuild Hinges on Sales

Club owners have already made it clear: new signings will only happen if players are sold to raise funds. That puts added pressure on the success of any youth-driven recruitment efforts.

Two arrivals are expected to be announced on July 1 — one striker and one midfielder. However, beyond those deals, the club’s ability to move quickly after the U21 tournament ends will be crucial.

Final Stretch of U21 Euros

With England, France, Germany and the Netherlands still in the competition, several West Ham targets remain off-limits. How fast the Hammers act once those teams are eliminated could determine the direction of the rest of their summer window.