In an attempt to continue their summer spending after signing El Hadji Malick Diouf, West Ham United are reportedly racing to hijack Inter Milan’s move to sign an impressive Serie A defender this summer.
Diouf "happy" to realise Premier League dream
On paper, selling Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham Hotspur will be seen as a major blow for West Ham, but that £50m+ transfer fee has sparked the Hammers into life in the transfer market. Graham Potter desperately needed to mark his own stamp on his side following a difficult start to life at the London Stadium and Kudus’ exit handed him the chance to do exactly that.
Almost instantly, the Hammers turned towards signing Diouf from Slavia Prague in a deal worth around £19m and one that finally kickstarts their summer business. The 20-year-old will join up with Potter’s pre-season training camp in Germany this week, where he will hope to provide the squad with an instant boost.
After putting pen to paper to become West Ham’s second signing of the window following Daniel Cummings’ earlier arrival, Diouf told the club’s official website when asked about the success that Senegal players have had in England: “I think it’s about the dream. Everyone wants to come here to play in the Premier League. I think it was a dream for everyone.
“When they are here, they want to make everything good. I think they also have the personality to play here and if you are young, you want to continue your progression.”
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The defender may not be the last player that the Hammers welcome into the Premier League for the first time, either, as they look to once again splash the cash made from the Kudus sale.
West Ham plotting Koni de Winter hijack
According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, West Ham are now racing to hijack Inter Milan’s move for Koni de Winter, who is valued at just €25m (£22m) by Genoa this summer.
They are not alone in the race to sign the defender ahead of the Italian giants, however, with London rivals Tottenham also eyeing a summer swoop to welcome De Winter ahead of next season. Given that the Lilywhites have already dealt West Ham a blow by signing Kudus, the Hammers will be keen to get one over on their rivals this time around.
Since being described as a “gifted footballer” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, De Winter has only come on leaps and bounds. Now, a move back towards the top seemingly awaits.
Although reports suggest that the Belgian has decided to join Inter this summer, the Italians’ current hesitation has handed West Ham a golden opportunity that they must take full advantage of ahead of Tottenham.