Hammers News

West Ham have responded on the possibility of signing a free agent Spain striker after being rocked by the huge blow of losing Niclas Fullkrug for the clash with bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur – and possibly longer.

West Ham welcome Tottenham to the London Stadium next Saturday, after the September international break.

There is no love lost between the Hammers and Spurs as it is.

But West Ham’s controversial decision to end a 14-and-a-half-year transfer embargo between them and Spurs with the sale of Mohammed Kudus will add extra spice.

Particularly as Kudus stated he ‘only wanted Spurs’ in his announcement video and claimed ‘Spurs are in his heart’.

West Ham hit by new Fullkrug blow

The Ghanaian is set for a frosty reception from Hammers fans, who will be in buoyant mood after the superb 3-0 win at Forest before the break.

Spurs lost to Bournemouth at home last time out and were booed off so it sets things up nicely for a fiercely contested derby.

The Hammers and Graham Potter have been rocked by a bitter blow ahead of the Tottenham game, though.

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West Ham fans have long been urging the club to sign a top young striker with pace and mobility.

Supporters were furious when deadline day came and went without a new striker arriving to add much-needed depth to one of the oldest and most injury-prone forward lines in Premier League history, consisting of Niclas Fullkrug and Callum Wilson.

Fullkrug, who turns 33 this season and has a history of serious injuries throughout his career, spent six of the nine months of his debut season out injured.

Wilson, who turns 34 this season, has spent the equivalent of three full 38-game seasons out injured in the last five years.

Now Wilson, who impressed and scored in the win at Forest, is West Ham’s only available forward – just as fans warned might happen if the club did not act and sign another striker.

Because Potter and the board were hit with instant regret this weekend when it was confirmed West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug has suffered yet another injury on international duty with Germany.

Fullkrug out of Spurs at least ahead of West Ham tests

There are now serious concerns at West Ham that Fullkrug has suffered a recurrence of the calf and tendon issues which kept him out for so long last term.

Hammers supporters could only watch as rivals such as Tottenham went out and signed top new forwards.

Fullkrug has now left the Germany squad and is returning to east London to be assessed and have a scan on his new calf issue.

Even if the striker, who has struggled badly again in the Premier League so far this season, has suffered the lowest grade calf injury, it will rule him out for between two to four weeks, meaning he will miss Saturday’s showdown with Tottenham.

And should there be no significant injury, it is still highly unlikely Fullkrug will be risked against Tottenham given his injury history with his calf last season.

It comes at the worst possible time for Potter, just days after the summer transfer window closed.

And leaves West Ham even more embarrassed over missing out on a deadline day deal for a top young star.

With Fullkrug out of the Spurs clash – at least – West Ham have responded on signing a free agent Spain striker.

A grade one calf injury could actually see Fullkrug ruled out until after the October international break.

At best the German might be back for Palace in two weeks’ time.

A higher grade issue will obviously result in a longer absence.

Earlier this week West Ham’s owners responded on the chances of signing free agents.

West Ham respond on signing free agent Spain striker Alcacer

While the club felt it was unlikely, they left the door open, saying: “Who knows what will happen” when presented with an impressive list of out-of-contract players available.

As a result of the latest Fullkrug injury, could West Ham turn to the free agent market for a potential short-term fix?

The top spokesman for West Ham’s board has now responded on arguably the best striker option of the available players who could be signed post deadline, Francisco ‘Paco’ Alcacer.

Alcacer is younger than Fullkrug and Wilson at 32 and has 175 career goals for club and country, including 12 in 19 games for Spain.

His former clubs include Valencia, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal but he has gone off the football radar since joining UAE side Sharjah, where he scored the winning goal in the President’s Cup.

After three years in the UAE Pro League, Alcacer is now a free agent.

So it was put to West Ham whether he was a player the club might consider given the lack of striker options.

The response suggested he has been looked at but the verdict was pretty emphatic.

“Alcacer is not scoring in the UAE,” the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners exclusively told Hammers News.

“So it makes no sense to come to the Premier League.

“The problem with some players who go over there, they become too rich to stay motivated to even train hard anymore.”

Lucas Paqueta is using ‘bully’ tactics to seize control of his West Ham future the club has confirmed and he’s not the only one as a clear winner emerges between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.

West Ham’s Brazilian playmaker Lucas Paqueta is at the centre of what looks set to be one of the biggest stories of the final days of the transfer window with Spurs and Aston Villa jostling.

The 28-year-old’s future has been the subject of intense speculation.

Especially since West Ham’s owners confirmed Aston Villa and Tottenham want Lucas Paqueta, as well as two Saudi clubs.

Hammers News understands Paqueta has absolutely no interest in a move to Saudi.

West Ham confirm Paqueta’s shocking stance on his future

The prospect of selling Paqueta to bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur, having already done a controversial deal for Mohammed Kudus, does not sit well with West Ham fans.

But along with Aston Villa, the Hammers have been among the clubs most restricted by PSR this summer.

That was until this week, when West Ham suddenly burst into life to spend over £60m on midfield duo Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa.

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Graham Potter is also being linked with moves for a new goalkeeper, centre-back, a striker and another midfielder before Monday’s deadline.

It seems unlikely that kind of spending won’t come at a price. That price being the departure of Lucas Paqueta.

Now Paqueta has made a shocking statement on his West Ham future with a clear winner between Aston Villa and Spurs.

Aston Villa may have been restricted on finances too, but have some money to spend on a Jacob Ramsey replacement after selling him for £43m to Newcastle while also offloading their women’s team.

The Hammers actually wanted Ramsey as a replacement for Kudus – and he was on Thomas Frank’s Spurs wish-list too.

Hammers News exclusively revealed last week that the Irons, Aston Villa and Tottenham are in a transfer triangle over Paqueta.

In midweek there were clear signs Paqueta will join Aston Villa after official talks were opened.

Clear winner between Villa and Spurs if Hammers sell Paqueta

Now Paqueta has taken his Hammers future into his own hands.

Hammers News has had it confirmed by the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners that a claim from The Athletic is true – Paqueta has essentially gone on strike for the game against Nottingham Forest.

The Athletic has claimed their sources have confirmed Paqueta has told West Ham he does not want to play at Nottingham Forest on Sunday with Aston Villa and Spurs in for him.

Hammers News can confirm the information is accurate – and is threatening to turn ugly.

West Ham: Paqueta and others trying to bully way out on cheap

Paqueta did something similar two years ago when a move to Man City was in the offing before those spot-fixing allegations emerged.

This time, though, Paqueta is said to be flatly refusing to risk getting injured and scuppering a possible move away.

A top spokesman for West Ham’s owners has confirmed Paqueta is not the only one trying to force their way out of the club.

Confirming Paqueta’s refusal to play at Forest and the interest from Aston Villa and Spurs, the top spokesman for West Ham’s board exclusively told Hammers News: “Yes Paqueta and a few others want to bully their way out on the cheap.”

The Brazilian has cut a lonely figure at West Ham of late and is unhappy his best friend at the club, Emerson Palmieri, has been bombed out by Potter with a move to Marseille in the works.

With Paqueta making a clear statement of intent on his West Ham future, the ball is now in the court of Aston Villa and Spurs.

Villa’s current offer is “nowhere near” West Ham’s reported valuation.

The Hammers are insisting they are happy to keep Paqueta and will only sell on their terms.

But the reality is this is pure transfer brinkmanship from West Ham with money clearly needed, especially if the club is to fund further signings before Monday’s 7pm deadline.

Villa have to tread carefully with their outgoings.

But following the signing of Xavi Simons, Tottenham are believed to have cooled their interest somewhat, clearing the path for Aston Villa.

Should Villa raise their offer – believed to be around £35m as things stand – to at least £50m with possible add-ons on top, then West Ham may be willing to sanction the move.

Especially now Paqueta has made his stance clear by refusing to play at Forest.

The West Ham board have confirmed that both Spurs and Aston Villa are among four clubs keen on signing Lucas Paqueta in the last week of the summer transfer window.

Speculation has been rife over the future of West Ham’s Brazilian playmaker Lucas Paqueta ever since he was cleared of spot-fixing charges.

Now there has been a huge development in Paqueta’s situation.

West Ham’s financial problems were plain for all to see when they did the unthinkable and sold Mohammed Kudus, one of their most talented players, to bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

It was the first transaction between the two clubs for 14-and-a-half years. But like London buses, another may be following closely behind.

Although Aston Villa and two other clubs stand in the way of a potential deal that could prove to be the last straw for many Hammers fans.

Even though Paqueta has been a shadow of the player he once was over the last 19 months, he is still one of the few remaining quality stars on West Ham’s books.

West Ham board confirm Spurs and Villa want Paqueta

And while many Irons fans would not be against selling the 27-year-old for the right money if it meant Graham Potter was able to go out and sign top quality replacements, another deal with Tottenham would be a bridge too far for most.

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Like Potter at West Ham, Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been wrestling with PSR restrictions this year.

However, Aston Villa exploited a loophole by selling their women’s team and have also offloaded West Ham and Spurs target Jacob Ramsey for £43m.

The Hammers wanted Ramsey as a replacement for Kudus and he was also on Thomas Frank’s Tottenham hit-list too.

Now West Ham, Villa and Tottenham are in a transfer triangle that threatens to leave Potter in turmoil unless he can bring in replacements.

Because the West Ham board have confirmed Spurs and Aston Villa are two of four clubs battling it out for Paqueta.

On eve of the opening game of the season, Fabrizio Romano – arguably the world’s top transfer reporter – revealed Paqueta wanted out of West Ham.

After standing by the Brazilian during his two-year spot-fixing saga, the hope was Paqueta would stay at West Ham and finally get back to his best with a clear mind and weight lifted from his shoulders.

Hammers supporters were furious when well-informed Romano claimed Paqueta wanted a fresh challenge on the eve of a 3-0 defeat at Sunderland.

With his best friend Emerson Palmieri ostracised from the squad by Potter, Paqueta has cut a lonely figure around the club of late.

That gave rise to concerns the Hammers may cash in, depleting the quality available to Potter even further.

Four clubs in race to sign West Ham star Paqueta

Romano back-pedalled somewhat when he later revealed Potter held emergency talks with the club’s owners and Paqueta himself to make it clear he wants him to stay.

Talks that appeared to go well when Paqueta suggested he would be staying at West Ham this season in the wake of the opening day defeat.

While Tottenham have made a flying start to the new campaign with Kudus shining, Aston Villa have underwhelmed.

Paqueta fired a reminder of what he is capable of in West Ham’s embarrassing 5-1 home defeat to Chelsea.

The Brazil international scored a thumping long range strike to give the Hammers the lead.

But, always capable of the sublime and ridiculous, Paqueta was then at fault for two of Chelsea’s goals, giving the ball away on the edge of his own box for one of them.

The Daily Mail reported that Paqueta is unhappy at West Ham and is interesting Spurs and Villa.

It is difficult to know what to believe at times during the transfer window, especially heading into the final week.

However, the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners has now confirmed that fierce rivals Tottenham and Aston Villa do indeed want to try and sign Paqueta.

Meanwhile two other clubs are also in the mix as the key senior contact admitted it is unclear how the situation will play out.

It was put to the West Ham board spokesman that reports were circulating Spurs and Villa were sniffing around Paqueta.

Hammers News asked the spokesman directly whether there is any chance he will be sold if the club’s valuation is met and it helps make new signings.

The same source who exclusively told Hammers News that West Ham were signing Callum Wilson before any other outlet has now responded.

Hammers board admit ‘Who knows what will happen’ over Paqueta

Confirming Tottenham’s interest in a second deal of the summer, the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners, said: “Yes (Spurs are interested in Paqueta) as well as two clubs in Saudi Arabia and Aston Villa.

“Who knows what will happen.”

If West Ham sell Paqueta to Tottenham and don’t adequately replace him, it could lead to a mutiny among the fanbase.

Surely West Ham would not press the self-destruct button so early in the new season with their Premier League status already under threat?

A sale to Aston Villa or Saudi would be more palatable for Hammers fans.

Potter promised West Ham supporters an “exciting and interesting” summer window.

It has definitely not been exciting but it is certainly starting to get interesting.

Cynics might say West Ham are using the interest so they can turn around and point to keeping Paqueta as some sort of victory for the club in the window.

Spurs star Mohammed Kudus has embarrassed West Ham but a bare-faced lie behind his move has also now been exposed.

Just ask Tottenham Hotspur legend Glenn Hoddle what most West Ham fans have been saying about Mohammed Kudus.

Hoddle says he has a lot of friends who support Tottenham’s bitter rivals West Ham.

And they have all been thanking him after Spurs took Kudus off their hands.

The Ghanaian was electric in his debut season at the London Stadium, contributing 14 goals and six assists while also winning the ball back for his team more than any other player in the Premier League, bar Bruno Guimaraes.

Kudus clearly wasn’t the problem at West Ham

Throw in the fact Kudus has the best dribbling statistics in all of Europe over the last two seasons and you start to wonder how some at West Ham came to the conclusion he may have been their big problem last term.

Kudus was nothing like his best last season, but which West Ham player was?

Graham Potter could not make it work with Kudus either.

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Essentially that boiled down to the fact he needs to play off the right, where West Ham have captain Jarrod Bowen.

The Hammers controversially sold Kudus to Tottenham for £54.5m – some £30m less than his utterly meaningless release clause.

West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady tried to explain away the sale, the first transaction between her club and Tottenham for 14-and-a-half years, by saying Kudus did not perform last season.

The truth of the matter is the Hammers desperately needed the money and Spurs were the only show in town.

Hammers fans have been quick to tell their Tottenham counterparts Kudus is overrated, selfish and only turns up to showcase himself against the big teams.

The Hammers were given a serious wake-up call in the season-opener at Sunderland.

While West Ham were losing 3-0 to newly-promoted Sunderland, Spurs were beating another side who have just returned to the big time, Burnley, by the same score.

Spurs star Kudus embarrasses West Ham

The subject of Kudus was something of a sideshow for some of West Ham’s travelling fans at the Stadium of Light.

Banners showing Kudus’ head on the body of a snake with the word ‘Judus’ were spotted while Hammers fans were heard singing a disparaging chant about their former attacker.

Spurs star Kudus has embarrassed West Ham but a bare-faced lie has been exposed.

Kudus infuriated West Ham fans when he declared he ‘only wanted Spurs’ as he was unveiled to fans following his move from east to north London.

The Black Stars ace had impressed for Tottenham in pre-season, prompting Hoddle to suggest his West Ham friends may be proved wrong.

Especially if Kudus started to play with his head up more under Thomas Frank.

The 24-year-old shone on his competitive debut, coming close to man of the match with two assists.

Kudus had a dig at West Ham after Spurs beat Burnley, saying he is now in a team that can get the best out of him.

Now he has left Brady, David Sullivan, Potter and Hammers fans with egg on their faces.

Because leading football data experts WhoScored have revealed Kudus was the highest-rated new signing (8.65/10) in the entire Premier League in the first game of the season.

Kudus was also named in the Premier League team of the week.

Clearly he was not the problem at West Ham, who look much worse without his pace, power and trickery – even if there was a lack of end product last season.

Now they don’t have Kudus to worry about, the opposition know Bowen is West Ham’s only threat and can focus on stopping him.

Bare-faced Kudus Tottenham lie exposed as truth comes out

Kudus looks like he is going to be proving West Ham were wrong to sell him for such a low figure.

Although West Ham fans have been proved right about one thing.

When he declared he only wanted Spurs, Hammers supporters pointed out that was only after the club failed to come to agreements with other interested sides, such as Chelsea.

Now The Sun has proved that correct, reporting that Kudus agreed personal terms with Chelsea and wanted to join Enzo Maresca’s side.

But West Ham turned down Chelsea’s £30m plus Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall offer.

So Kudus may rip it up at Tottenham as many West Ham fans privately feared.

However, Spurs fans should not expect him to stick around long if he does.

Mohammed Kudus took a clear dig at West Ham after what’s being billed one of the best Spurs debuts in years as David Sullivan’s worst fears come true.

When West Ham broke a 14-year transfer embargo to sell Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham Hotspur, David Sullivan and the club’s fans knew the risk.

Some Hammers fans have tried to convince themselves Kudus was not as good as his first season at the London Stadium had suggested.

But it was a narrative geared more towards saving face that West Ham had been forced to sell one of their best players to their bitter rivals than a true reflection of the situation.

Kudus was poor by his own high standards for West Ham last season.

He was in the majority, though, as the Hammers – like Spurs – endured a car crash of a Premier League campaign.

Sullivan knew the gamble he was taking selling Kudus to Tottenham.

Sullivan gamble backfires as Kudus becomes instant Spurs hero

There was every chance Kudus would explode back into life at whichever club he joined next.

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Had it been a Liverpool, Man United or even Chelsea it would have been easier to bear for West Ham fans.

But as many Hammers supporters have said since the first deal between the two clubs since January 2001: ‘Anyone but them’.

The writing was on the wall for Kudus at West Ham when he had a huge bust-up with Julen Lopetegui last season, ironically at half-time of a game against Thomas Frank’s Brentford.

Kudus was singled out for being selfish and not playing for the team by Lopetegui, criticism he took exception to as the pair allegedly had to be pulled apart.

In his debut season with West Ham, only Bruno Guimaraes won the ball back for their team more times than Kudus did for the Hammers.

That is an astonishing statistic, especially when you consider he also had the most successful dribbles of any player across Europe’s top leagues and 20 goals and assists to his name on top of that.

One year later, the Hammers were forced to sell a player with an £85m release clause for just £54.5m to their biggest Premier League rivals due to their inexplicably bad PSR position.

Kudus antagonised West Ham fans by declaring he ‘only wanted Spurs’ when being unveiled by the north Londoners.

He then burned his bridges altogether with east London by declaring to the club’s doctor that he would find Spurs in his heart during footage of medical checks released on social media.

Kudus takes clear dig at West Ham as Potter problems worsen

Tottenham fans have been goading West Ham over luring away Kudus, saying it is proof they are the bigger club.

Spurs fans belted out new West Ham chant about Kudus at Super Cup final and in the stadium for their season opener against Burnley.

Now Kudus has taken a clear dig at West Ham as he becomes an instant Spurs hero.

West Ham fans held up banners depicting Kudus as a snake with the word ‘JUDUS’ during a 3-0 defeat at newly-promoted Sunderland on the opening day.

Videos have also emerged online of Hammers fans chanting that ‘Kudus is a —-‘ on the concourses at the Stadium of Light.

Meanwhile, the man in question was busy marking his Spurs debut with two assists and an array of skills in their 3-0 win over Burnley.

Lopetegui played Kudus out of position on the left for the first half of last season, rendering him ineffective and miserable.

When Graham Potter came in, he changed formation and played Kudus more centrally as a second striker.

That didn’t work either as Potter won just five of his 19 games in charge.

Kudus was often accused of being selfish and not passing. Others felt that was down to the lack of quality in West Ham’s team, meaning he felt he had to try and win games on his own.

Kudus has been portrayed as the problem at West Ham after last season.

However, Potter’s wingback formation looks even worse without him, with the latest evidence being the 3-0 hammering at Sunderland which consolidates the view West Ham are very much relegation candidates.

Kudus glad he’s in a team where he can play his proper game

With Kudus gone and not – as yet – replaced, the Hammers lacked any kind of pace or power in attack besides Jarrod Bowen.

Given the opposition know Bowen is West Ham’s only threat, they can afford to double – and sometimes treble – up on him.

To rub salt in the wound, after starring in Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Burnley, Kudus was interviewed on BBC’s Match of the Day.

And he couldn’t resist a dig at West Ham to explain why he is happy and shining again in the Premier League.

It was put to Kudus that Spurs fans had already taken him to their hearts off the back of his performance and pre-season displays.

“Yea I really try to be different and it’s part of my game getting the ball, taking players on and creating,” Kudus said.

“So I’m glad that I’m in a team where I can do that freely and also with the help of the teammates.

“I like to enjoy the game and entertain the fans because that’s what I believe the game is about.

“But at the same time you know play with seriousness to help the team get the points and that’s what happened.”

The whole saga leaves West Ham red-faced.

It could get a lot worse in the coming weeks too with Kudus returning to the London Stadium with what is looking a far superior Tottenham team who are about to add Eberechi Eze to their ranks too.

Tottenham fans were caught on video belting out a new West Ham chant at the UEFA Super Cup final with their former player Mohammed Kudus responding.

West Ham and Spurs were two of the biggest underachievers in Europe’s top five leagues last season.

But while the Hammers at least ensured they finished above 17th-place Tottenham in the Premier League, Spurs put the final nail in the coffin of a terrible season by lifting the Europa League.

Not only did that end their long trophy drought, land Tottenham a place in the Champions League and the guaranteed £80m that comes with it, it rendered West Ham’s chant about Spurs redundant overnight.

Hammers fans have relished singing ‘We’ll be running around Tottenham with our European Cup, singing ‘I’ve got a trophy haven’t you’.

Spurs fans belted out new West Ham chant at Super Cup final

The Europa League trumps the Conference League too, even if some of the opposition West Ham faced on their runs in three consecutive European campaigns were far superior to Tottenham’s.

They don’t come much better than Paris Saint-Germain, though.

And another reward for Tottenham winning the Europa League was a place in UEFA’s Super Cup final.

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Essentially the Community Shield of European football, the Super Cup sees the winners of the Champions League play the Europa League victors.

There is no European football for West Ham again this term and qualifying again anytime soon looks a big ask for Graham Potter.

So Hammers fans will have to grin and bear watching nearly all of their rivals competing on the continent.

Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs will be in the Champions League and even Palace will be in Europe, looking to emulate the Hammers by winning the Conference League.

The financial advantage being in the Champions League gave Spurs meant they were able to force West Ham to sell them Mohammed Kudus for £54.5m.

It was the first deal between the bitter rivals for over 14 years.

Kudus antagonised West Ham fans by saying he ‘only wanted Spurs’ in his unveiling video and interview.

The Ghanaian, who looked like he did not want to be at West Ham last season, then said Spurs were in his heart in another video shared on social media.

Kudus has burnt his bridges with Hammers

That ensures bridges are well and truly burnt for Kudus with Hammers fans.

There is real fear he could explode at Spurs under Thomas Frank and make West Ham’s fee look laughable given it was some £30m less than his release clause.

Tottenham fans have been goading their Hammers counterparts about snatching away Kudus.

Now they’ve taken it to the next level.

West Ham supporters have been trying to tell Tottenham Kudus is not as good as he thinks he is.

There is no love lost between the clubs although both have bigger traditional rivals in Arsenal and Millwall.

Some Tottenham fans try to suggest they don’t see West Ham as rivals and that the Hammers care more about them than vice versa.

That didn’t look the case when Tottenham faced PSG.

Because Spurs fans belted out a new West Ham chant at the Super Cup final and Kudus responded.

West Ham play Tottenham early on in the new season.

So Hammers fans should be prepared for a chant that is coming their way.

Tottenham aim new chant at Hammers and Kudus responded

In the Tottenham fan zone at the Super Cup final a Spurs band sang to the tune of Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing In The Dark: “Can’t start a fire without a spark, Kudus is on fire, he hates the team from Upton Park.”

Kudus certainly responded to the chant on the pitch because he was on fire and at his unplayable best at times.

Clips widely shared on social media show Kudus giving the ball away a couple of times.

But he was, as hard as it might be to accept, among Tottenham’s best players on the night.

PSG full-back Nuno Mendes is regarded one of the best in the world in his position.

But Kudus gave him a torrid time, drawing the foul which led to the first goal.

After Pape Sarr, Kudus was Spurs’ shining light in the big game as they threw away a golden chance to add another European trophy to their cabinet.

Spurs fell apart when Kudus came off in the second half, handing the impetus to PSG as the true European champions came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.

Tottenham then lost on penalties to give Hammers fans the last laugh for now.

But Spurs and Kudus were impressive and West Ham will need to be ready to face – and hear – them in a few weeks.

After Mohammed Kudus became the first West Ham United player to join Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur since Scott Parker in 2011, could one of Thomas Frank’s roster move in the other direction?

Now, Spurs may have finished three places and five points worse off than the Hammers last term – comfortably their worst-ever campaign in the competition – but there are still a handful of Tottenham players many at the London Stadium would be happy to put the rivalry aside to sign.

That Tottenham ended up just one spot above the relegation zone despite boasting such talent as Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Christian Romero, Pedro Porro, Micky van de Ven and Brennan Johnson is a pretty damning indictment of Ange Postecoglou’s tactical failures.

Postecoglou’s successor is confident Mohammed Kudus will help turn things around, at least.

David Sullivan accepted Tottenham’s £54.5 million bid in mid-July. Thus, snapping a 14-year tradition of West Ham United refusing to do business with their neighbours from the north.

But, speaking on talkSPORT, host Hugh Woozencroft wonders if Graham Potter and Kyle Macaulay could yet open talks with Tottenham again in pursuit of a familiar face; Yves Bissouma.

West Ham United tipped to make a move for Tottenham Hotspur’s Yves Bissouma

Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport claimed last week that West Ham are considering Tottenham’s Yves Bissouma. A highly-talented if maddeningly inconsistent midfielder who Potter got the very best out of before his £35 million move to the capital in 2022.

Whether there is any truth to those reports remains to be seen. But Bissouma – the ex-Lille playmaker is allegedly a long-term West Ham target and was described by Potter as ‘an incredible talent’ – may be in need of a fresh start following the addition of Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich this week.

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“[Potter] brought in the recruitment person who worked with him at Brighton and Chelsea,” says Woozencroft, West Ham’s head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay another who knows Bissouma well from their time together at The Amex.

“Bissouma has got a pre-existing relationship with Potter. He looks surplus to requirements at Spurs. Will they go and do an easy deal for him?”

A question which will be answered in time.

West Ham linked with Arsenal duo Fabio Vieira and Oleksandr Zinchenko

While 28-year-old Bissouma may be older than West Ham would ideally like in terms of their more expensive transfer targets, the other names reportedly under consideration share the Mali international’s mix of physical and technical gifts.

See, for instance, Southampton duo Shea Charles and Mateus Fernandes. Club Brugge enforcer Raphael Onyedika is Macaulay’s first-choice, Hammers News understands, while Romano Schmid and Douglas Luiz have been mentioned too in dispatches.

Woozencroft wonders if Potter and Macaulay could also look close to home in pursuit of bargain deals for Premier League talents surplus to requirements.

Ben Jacobs claims that Arsenal misfit Fabio Vieira is on West Ham’s radar. The versatile Oleksandr Zinchenko may be open to joining Potter’s ranks too, football correspondent Graeme Bailey informed Hammers News in June.

“I look at West Ham and think maybe they are waiting for late on in the window,” Woozencroft muses.

“Maybe they are looking at Arsenal, as another London club, and think; ‘If they are going to loan a few players out, can we take a couple of them?’

“They will look at a number of players at Chelsea who may be going out on loan, some younger players and maybe think; ‘If we wait, we won’t have to spend big money and we can get a few decent players in to help us’.”

A word of warning Tottenham Hotspur; Mohammed Kudus may look impressive now but, as West Ham United know all too well, the rough must be accepted alongside the smooth.

That, of course, is often the case when it comes to mercurial, maverick-style attackers like the Ghana international.

Alan Pardew, West Ham United coach from 2003 to 2006, summed it up neatly a few months back. Mohammed Kudus can be ‘unplayable’ on his day, Pardew said.

But days like that became increasingly rare during his two-year stint at the London Stadium. Particularly when the goals dried up, his interest appeared to wane, and especially during a fall-out with Julen Lopetegui exacerbated by a five-game ban he picked up after sparking a mini-riot against – funnily enough – Tottenham Hotspur.

It seems all is forgiven at Spurs for now.

Daniel Levy convinced David Sullivan to accept a bid of £54.5 million last month.

A forward who marked his West Ham United home debut with a brace in Europa League qualifying, meanwhile, is making a positive first impression in his new, white kit now too.

The Tottenham faithful loved what they saw from Kudus as the Europa League winners defeated arch rivals Arsenal during a midweek friendly held in Hong Kong. So too did Thomas Frank.

Thomas Frank hails Mohammed Kudus after swapping West Ham United for Tottenham

There was nothing quite as spectacular as, say, his bicycle kick against Man City. Or his Puskas Award-nominated solo effort against Freiburg.

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But the way Kudus used his upper-body strength and his excellent close control to receive the ball under pressure, draw fouls or spark quick transitions had many Spurs fans hailing the arrival of a different, more physical dimension.

And Frank, a pre-season North London derby triumph an early feather in his Spurs cap, certainly seems to share the supporters’ enthusiasm for the new signing.

“I think he was really good [against Arsenal], Kudus. His hold-up play, the way he takes hold of the ball in tricky situations,” Ange Postecoglou’s replacement told reporters.

“His one-vs-one skills, his creating opportunities for the team was top-class.

“On top of that, I think he is working extremely hard and there was a recovery run from a set piece when he was straining all the way back, and he won the ball back. That is how he can help the team so much.

“He will make a lot of the fans excited with his offensive actions and he will also help the team defensively.”

Kudus already has an unofficial assist in Spurs colours.

He set up Luka Vuskovic in the 2-0 win at Reading last month, while his corner later in the second-half led to Will Lankshear doubling Tottenham’s tally at the back post.

Lucas Paqueta could stay at West Ham as trial ends

Back at West Ham, while Kudus may have gone, Graham Potter may well have Lucas Paqueta at his disposal beyond September.

While the Brazil international was cleared of spot-fixing offences on Thursday, Hammers News understands that Paqueta could repay the faith shown in him at West Ham by staying put.

“Since the first day of this investigation, I have maintained my innocence against these extremely serious accusations,” Paqueta said in an emotional statement.

“I can’t say anything more at this time, but I would like to express how grateful I am to God and how eager I am to return to playing football with a smile on my face.

“To my wife who never let go of my hand, to West Ham United, to the fans who always cheered me on, and to my family, friends and the legal team who have supported me.

“Thank you for everything.”

So, Tottenham Hotspur wait 16 years for a trophy and then two come along in the space of a few weeks for West Ham United’s Premier League rivals.

Well, OK, not quite.

But with the admittedly less-than prestigious Herbalgy Trophy on the line, Pape Matar Sarr’s stunning lob secured a 1-0 victory for the suddenly silver-hoarding Spurs over their serial-bottlers from down the road in North London.

Just hours after Niclas Fullkrug’s ‘ridiculous’ winner saw West Ham past Everton in Chicago – a morale-boosting victory for Graham Potter’s side in the USA Premier League Summer Series – Sarr chipped a floundering Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya in front of nearly 50,000 supporters in Hong Kong.

If that was the standout moment of a tight, one-goal game, though, the standout performance arguably came from the man who inherited the number 20 shirt most famously worn by Dele Alli at Tottenham Hotspur.

Daniel Levy convinced David Sullivan to accept a bid of £54.5 million for Mohammed Kudus earlier in July.

Now, whether that proves to be a good investment depends largely upon which version of the former West Ham United forward Tottenham are getting.

The claret-and-blue blur who earned a Puskas Award nomination while scoring 14 West Ham goals in 2023/24? Or the Kudus who appeared to lose his focus, his discipline, and his self-confidence under Julen Lopetegui?

Tottenham fans hail Mohammed Kudus as former West Ham star impresses in Arsenal win

The reaction from an impressed Tottenham fanbase certainly hints at the former.

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“It’s so refreshing to have an attacker like Kudus who’s actually a problem to defend against,” one fan writes on X after watching the Ghana international use his turn of pace and excellent close control to surge away from his Arsenal opponents.

About damn time!,” another agrees in response.

“Kudus is a cheat code.”

“Finally, the strength to not have the ball come straight back at us. Good times.”

Even during a difficult second season at West Ham, Kudus’ upper-body strength meant he was always a useful outlet for a team looking to drag themselves up the pitch. It appears that prizefighter build and his ability to spin away from even the tightest markers have added a different dimension to an occasionally lightweight Spurs attack.

“It’s actually quite hilarious how many times Kudus helps us retain the ball. Imagine [Brennan] Johnson in that possession.

“Absolutely loving Kudus’ work rate and tenacity.”

“Useful both ends of the field too, absolute work horse.”

“Kudus is a one man army. What a unit!”

Spurs supporters label Kudus a potential ‘superstar’ under Thomas Frank

The former Ajax ace lasted 60 minutes as Tottenham beat Arsenal in the first ever North London derby held outside of English soil.

Champions League football was ‘the biggest reason’ why Kudus opted to become the first player since Scott Parker in 2011 to leave West Ham for Spurs. Now under the stewardship of ex-Brentford coach Thomas Frank, Tottenham may fancy their chances of going deep in the competition too if they can land a couple more game-changing additions before the September deadline.

“What a brilliant signing,” another fan writes.

“This is really why you pay up for top talent like Kudus. They elevate and electrify the rest of the team and make them play better. Top players do that.

“Kudus is pure quality. How many times does he receive the ball in disadvantageous positions and still come away with it? His back-to-goal work is top class. Him and Sarr have looked quality during pre-season.”

“Kudus is so good man. A type of winger we’ve been crying out for. I was excited when we signed him, but he’s surpassed how good I thought he was. I can’t believe we had a free run at him.

“Mohammed Kudus is so obviously going to be a superstar for us. Not sure the last time I felt this way about an attacking signing.”

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.