West Ham could be set to do another deal with Tottenham – this time for a major reunion and Daniel Levy finds himself cornered.
After 14-and-a-half years of an unofficial transfer embargo between them, another controversial deal may be in the offing between bitter rivals West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur.
Hammers fans were furious that David Sullivan even entertained selling Mohammed Kudus to Spurs.
Especially at £30m less than his “release clause” and over £10m less than the minimum amount West Ham had said they would accept.
While Kudus is understood to have been a difficult teammate – labelled selfish by ex Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui – West Ham fans fear he will explode at Tottenham, leaving their club with egg on their faces.
Another deal on the cards between West Ham and Spurs
The Ghanaian became the first player to move between West Ham and Spurs since Scott Parker and David Bentley in 2001.
But like London buses, after more than 14 years without a deal between the rivals, two could come along in the same summer.
West Ham are reportedly eyeing a reunion deal with Spurs and Daniel Levy finds himself cornered.
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There is no denying Levy got one over on West Ham with the Kudus deal.
Levy is called many things by Tottenham fans. But there is no denying he is a shrewd businessman.
The Spurs chief knew West Ham were struggling due to PSR and had to sell to buy.
And he preyed on that to get Kudus at a knockdown price.
Now, though, it is West Ham who have Levy in the palm of their hand as they look to sign a Tottenham player for Graham Potter.
The Irons have only signed full-backs El Hadji Malick Diouf and Kyle Walker-Peters so far.
Potter is now focusing on signing two new midfielders and a goalkeeper.
West Ham eye reunion deal with Spurs and Levy is cornered
That has led West Ham back to the negotiating table with Tottenham – but this time it is Sullivan who may have the ace card up his sleeve.
Respected Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport claim West Ham are making a move to reunite Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma with Potter.
Mali star Bissouma rose to prominence under Potter at Brighton before being sold to Spurs.
Now he could end up playing under his former boss at West Ham.
Gazzetta claim the Hammers are battling Juventus for Bissouma.
It would be typical of Levy’s reputation that he would refuse to do business with West Ham despite the Hammers selling Spurs Kudus.
But West Ham’s interest in a Juventus alternative could work against Tottenham.
Because Spurs have been linked with reported Hammers target Douglas Luiz, who has no future at Juve.
It is claimed Juventus are only interested in a cash deal for Luiz, who is also a target for Tottenham.
However, West Ham are ahead of Spurs in the race for the Brazilian.
West Ham won’t be signing Luiz and Bissouma – they are too similar in their style.
Hammers can use Luiz move as leverage with Levy
So selling Bissouma to the Hammers would clear the path for Tottenham over Luiz, forcing Levy to do business with Sullivan again.
It is easy to see why Potter wants a reunion with Bissouma.
At 28 he does not necessarily fit the profile West Ham are looking to sign as Potter aims to lower the age of the squad.
But West Ham’s midfield is sorely lacking bite, athleticism and agility – which Bissouma has in abundance.
How Hammers fans would feel about signing a Tottenham player is another matter.
If Bissouma helps West Ham compete for the top six – as he did with Potter at Brighton, supporters would soon get on board.