Hammers News

West Ham and Spurs could both end up empty-handed as they lock horns after a club’s big announcement because the star they want may sign for Fulham instead.

Fulham have entered a transfer tussle between rivals West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur late in the day – and now look set to win it.

The Hammers need a major rebuild this summer but are yet to make any significant strides towards signings.

Spurs have completed a permanent deal for Mathys Tel and have shelled out £10m to make Thomas Frank – the man many West Ham fans wanted to replace David Moyes and Julen Lopetegui – their new boss.

West Ham and Spurs lock horns after club’s big announcement

Having secured Champions League football, Spurs have a major advantage over the likes of the Hammers and Fulham in the transfer market.

Daniel Levy recently warned Tottenham fans he can’t spend what the club don’t have – as reported by The Telegraph.

Meanwhile, in east London, West Ham’s owners have been making it perfectly clear the money well has run dry.

Sales are desperately needed to fund Graham Potter’s overhaul.

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To that end Tottenham are one of several clubs who have been linked with the man the Hammers are banking on to bring in most of their summer funds – Mohammed Kudus.

West Ham would prefer to sell Kudus to virtually anyone else, though, given there has been an unofficial transfer embargo between them and Tottenham for 14 years.

The free agent market is of great appeal to West Ham and Tottenham this summer.

Both clubs reportedly want to sign a versatile new full-back who can operate on both sides and also be equally adept at wing-back.

Saints announce Hammers and Spurs target is now a free agent

Now West Ham and Spurs are locking horns after club’s big announcement but the star may snub both for Fulham.

All the way back in April it was reported West Ham had ‘agreed terms in principle’ to sign Kyle Walker-Peters on a free transfer.

But it was also claimed Spurs were trying to hijack the Hammers’ move in a bid to bring Walker-Peters back to north London.

Southampton have admitted defeat in getting Walker-Peters to sign a new deal at St Mary’s following their relegation.

“Bringing to an end a five-and-a-half year stay,” Southampton announced overnight.

“Thank you to Kyle Walker-Peters, who will leave the club at the end of his contract.”

Given Walker-Peters can play just as well at left-back and left wing-back as he can on his natural right side, he is perfect for what the Hammers and Spurs need.

Especially on a free transfer.

But the 28-year-old could spring a surprise by joining Fulham instead.

Hammers News understands West Ham have cooled interest in Walker-Peters in recent weeks.

That’s after being informed he prefers a move to another London club.

Many assumed that would be for a return to Spurs – as being speculated elsewhere.

Walker-Peters may snub West Ham and Spurs for Fulham

But in fact the potential departure of Kenny Tete from Fulham to Everton on a free transfer has opened up a space for Walker-Peters to be his replacement.

Game time would be limited for Walker-Peters in his natural position at West Ham – who have Aaron Wan-Bissaka – and Spurs, where Pedro Porro is first choice.

Fulham have been linked with Walker-Peters consistently over the last month or two.

And the former England star is doing little to play down speculation after posting a picture on his Instagram Stories enjoying a day out with Fulham stars, including Emile Smith-Rowe and Alex Iwobi.

The potential move means West Ham and Spurs would have to look elsewhere.

It also has potential ramifications for released Hammers right-back Vladimir Coufal, who has been heavily linked with Fulham too.

With left-back Emerson Palmieri up for sale at West Ham, Potter desperately needs a full-back who can play both sides because he can’t afford to sign two right now.

West Ham United’s despised Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur hit the jackpot when they brought Micky van de Ven to North London during the summer of 2023.

Elite left-footed central defenders certainly don’t grow on trees, after all.

And when you add Van de Ven’s extreme speed, his superb defensive instincts and his brilliant ball-playing to those southpaw tendencies, Tottenham managed to snap up one of the most unique, high-potential centre-halves on the planet to the tune of just £34 million.

West Ham United, in contrast, find themselves stuck with a Nayef Aguerd-shaped problem.

To think, Aguerd joined the Hammers for just £4 million less than Tottenham paid to bring in Van de Ven from Wolfsburg. It almost goes without saying that the former has not come close to equalling the success of the latter in English football.

After Real Sociedad decided against signing Aguerd permanently following an injury-hit loan spell in La Liga, the Morocco international is desperate to force his way out of the London Stadium. Preferably, before pre-season begins.

But, once Aguerd’s eventual departure frees up some much-needed transfer funds and allows Graham Potter to start rebuilding his roster, could West Ham find their own answer to the aforementioned Micky van de Ven?

With Turkish publication Fotomac reporting that the £25 million-rated Jayden Oosterwolde is still on West Ham’s radar, the similarities between the Feyenoord speedster and Tottenham’s Europa League final hero have not gone unnoticed.

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West Ham United target Jayden Oosterwolde likened to Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven

The first thing fans tend to notice about Jayden Oosterwolde is that the Fenerbahce ace is a footballer with pace bordering on the ridiculous.

While Van de Ven has been clocked as the quickest player to grace the Premier League since records began, Breaking the Lines describe Oosterwolde as a ‘multifaceted threat in defence’ due to his combination of ‘electric speed’ and the fearsome physicality provided by his towering 6ft 4in frame.

He broke through as a rampaging left-back in the Eredivisie with FC Twente. Oosterwolde has also been utilised as a centre-half, where his formidable recovery pace and his ‘very good duel-winning capabilities’ come to the fore.

“He is an effective, powerful ball-carrier who strides forward with conviction and speed,” Breaking the Lines add of a versatile, uber-athletic footballer, the kind of which West Ham’s backline is badly lacking.

“He’s a good dribbler with quick feet for someone this tall.”

Daniel Peperkamp, co-host of the Voetbal Primeur podcast, also credits one Jose Mourinho with helping a 24-year-old Oosterwolde force his way onto the radars of West Ham, Newcastle and Napoli while over in Turkey.

“He has really developed a lot under Mourinho. A warrior. Big, fast, powerful,” Peperkamp says. “A Micky van de Ven type [of defender].”

Emerson Palmieri could join Lazio while Roma target Nayef Aguerd

As with Quilindschy Hartman – the former West Ham target is joining Burnley in a £10 million deal from Feyenoord – concerns will arise over Oosterwolde’s injury record.

The Zwolle-born former Parma ace missed most of last season with a cruciate ligament rupture. If reports are true and Fenerbahce value him at £25 million, West Ham would be risking a sizeable chunk of their summer budget on a footballer who hasn’t played a single league match since October 2024.

While Aguerd is still expected to leave this summer – Roma are reportedly outbidding Italian rivals Juventus as they look to secure an agreement in the region of £15 million – Emerson Palmieri could also be on his way to Serie A.

West Ham’s only other senior left-back apart from teenager Ollie Scarles is reportedly in line for a reunion with his former Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri at Lazio.

West Ham United have not merely entered the race for one of the most sought-after talents in Serie A – alongside Premier League rivals Crystal Palace – Graham Potter’s side have ‘explicitly shown their interest’.

At least, that is how the Italian media describe West Ham United’s ongoing pursuit of a central defender with more options on his table than Pedro Pascal’s overworked agent.

Despite the fact West Ham signed Jean-Clair Todibo permanently from Nice at the end of the Premier League campaign, and despite the fact there are no offers yet for the error-strewn Konstantinos Mavropanos, Koni de Winter is a name which just will not go away.

Genoa ace De Winter was linked at the start of February. A few weeks later, reporter Gianluca Longari claimed that West Ham had contacted the Serie A outfit about a potential deal for their former Juventus starlet.

Bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur have allegedly put forward a £20 million proposal in the meantime but, according to the latest update provided by Tuttomercatoweb on Thursday morning, West Ham United remain very much a key part of the picture.

Interestingly, there was no mention whatsoever of Tottenham in TMW’s latest report.

How much can be read into their omission is up for debate. Though one suspects that, if Spurs had indeed submitted an offer, they would have been front and centre of Tuttomercatoweb’s piece.

Instead, it is West Ham who get a big mention, next to Crystal Palace.

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Graham Potter’s side, alongside Oliver Glasner’s FA Cup winners, are allegedly the only two clubs in England to have ‘explicitly shown their interest’ in a player also on the radars of Portuguese powerhouses Portugal and Benfica, not to mention Inter Milan.

The total absence of Tottenham certainly casts doubt on claims that a £20 million bid has arrived on Genoa’s table from the white corner of North London.

Genoa director Marco Ottolini speaks out as West Ham eye former Juventus man

A graduate of the Juventus academy, De Winter joined Genoa initially on loan back in 2023. The Antwerp-born Belgium international has blossomed into one of the finest young defenders in European football with the Grifone.

“Koni is another player who has grown a lot,” Genoa’s sporting director Marco Ottolini tells TMW of his 6ft 3in prized asset. “He is becoming more and more aware. He has an international-level profile for physical, technical and mental qualities.

“Some requests for information are arriving [from interested parties]. They have already arrived. At the moment, there is nothing written, concrete or finalised. [But] he is a player who has many requests.”

Juventus legend Leonardo Bonucci – 50 per cent of that 2021 European Championship-winning Azzurri defence alongside Giorgio Chiellini – feels it is De Winter’s fierce mentality which marks him out as a potential superstar centre-back.

“He has no fear and this will be an advantage for his career,” Bonucci said. “He has enormous room for improvement. He has a whole career ahead of him.”

West Ham United have broken their silence on claims that rivals Tottenham Hotspur are preparing a bid for Mohammed Kudus.

The board have made their stance abundantly clear on the situation, responding firmly to claims of an imminent offer from Tottenham chief Daniel Levy.

West Ham and Spurs have not done business together for 14 years.

The last players to move between the two clubs were David Bentley, on loan from Spurs to the Hammers, and Scott Parker – both back in 2011.

A very public row erupted between the two clubs when Levy pulled the plug on a West Ham deal for Emmanuel Adebayor in 2015.

West Ham co-owner at the time, David Gold – who sadly passed away in 2023 – delivered an icy blast at Levy after the Spurs chairman reneged on the deal on deadline day.

Why Spurs and West Ham have not done business for 14 years

“No matter how hard you try there are people out there that you just can’t do business with,” Gold said of Levy.

A bitter fallout has taken place between Hammers vice-chair Karren Brady and Levy under the current ownership too.

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That’s after a spying scandal played out in the courts during the battle for the London Stadium.

Fast forward 10 years since an unofficial transfer embargo was put in place following the collapse of that Adebayor deal and the prospect of a West Ham doing business with their fierce rivals Tottenham has reared its ugly head once more.

Tottenham have been linked with a move for Mohammed Kudus this summer.

The Ghanaian is for sale this summer as West Ham desperately seek to raise funds so Graham Potter can make his own signings.

As things stand, West Ham’s owners are insisting there is no money to spend until sales are made due to PSR.

As reported by Hammers News, Spurs ‘like’ Kudus and are intending to make a bid to West Ham, which has the support of new manager Thomas Frank.

It will present a major dilemma for West Ham chief David Sullivan and the board.

Firstly, whether to sell to end the unofficial transfer embargo and sell to their fierce rivals for the first time in 14 years.

Secondly, whether to accept what the lowball offer Levy is reportedly planning as desperation ramps up to bring in cash to fund Potter’s rebuild.

West Ham board respond to ‘imminent’ Spurs bid for Kudus

Now the West Ham board has responded to claims of an ‘imminent’ Spurs bid for Kudus and made their stance perfectly clear.

A top transfer insider told Hammers News this week that ‘Levy wants to try and get Kudus for as little as £50m’.

That’s £35m less than the release clause in Kudus’ West Ham contract.

Although that clause is something of a red herring because the Hammers can sell him for whatever fee they want below that.

And the club knows nobody will be paying the clause amount after Kudus’ underwhelming second season, which saw him banned for five games after he left three Tottenham players on the deck during West Ham’s 4-1 defeat at their rivals.

Hammers make stance clear on Spurs interest

If Sullivan agreed to that figure, it would represent a meagre £11.5m profit for West Ham.

Although finances are dictating Kudus is sold, selling to Tottenham would not go down well with fans.

It could be seen as waving the white flag that Spurs are the bigger club and can sign key Hammers players when they really want to.

When it was reported Arsenal were interested at around £50m earlier this month, the Hammers said such an offer for Kudus would be ‘laughed out of the room’.

Now responding to claims of an imminent lowball Tottenham bid for Kudus, West Ham’s owners have made three major admissions.

Firstly that they would sell to Spurs after refusing to take the opportunity to rule it out.

Secondly, they have set the minimum fee they want for Kudus from Tottenham or any other suitors.

And thirdly the club have confirmed Tottenham are far from alone in wanting the former Ajax star.

West Ham owners would sell to Spurs but only at right price

Hammers News asked the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners whether they would they sell to Tottenham as rivals and for as low as £50m.

“We would not sell him for under £65m,” the senior spokesman for the West Ham board exclusively told Hammers News.

“There is lots of interest.”

Kudus scored five goals and laid on four assists in all competitions for West Ham last season.

That was well down on the 20 goal contributions he provided during his scintillating debut season, when many of his strikes were goal of the season contenders.

There is no doubting Kudus’ talent and potential to be one of the best attackers in Europe.

So West Ham are right to want at least £65m.

Chelsea are said to be still mulling a bid while Newcastle, Arsenal and Liverpool have also been linked.

West Ham will hope some kind of bidding war breaks out which will help them get to that magic £65m mark.

And sooner rather than later given the desperate need to start making signings of their own.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a top West Ham star and it leaves David Sullivan with a seriously tough decision to make.

With big questions surrounding a longstanding transfer embargo and the valuation of the player, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy looks set to force David Sullivan into one of his most difficult decisions in 15 years at West Ham.

The Hammers have a major problem this summer transfer window and bitter rivals Tottenham might be their only way out of it.

West Ham fans are furious with Sullivan and the board, as they continue to insist there is no money for signings unless significant sales are made.

The Hammers say they have no wiggle room when it comes to PSR.

That’s despite manager Graham Potter promising an “exciting and interesting summer window” with a rebuild planned – and much-needed.

Tottenham meanwhile have been boosted to the tune of £80m after qualifying for the Champions League by winning the Europa League.

Tottenham flush while Hammers are like sitting ducks due to PSR

West Ham are banking on selling the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Nayef Aguerd, Niclas Fullkrug, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Emerson Palmieri and a host of others to raise funds.

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In fact the only players who are not for sale, unless the Hammers receive offers too good to refuse, are Jarrod Bowen, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Crysencio Summerville.

Although any club willing to pay a decent fee for Summerville might be able to sway West Ham’s thinking after the winger’s initial refusal to have an operation meant he will have been out for eight months when he returns in September.

While many clubs have to now sell to buy due to PSR, West Ham did not bank on having to make one of their biggest decisions of the last decades thanks to Tottenham.

Spurs have been linked with moves for Bowen and Kudus already this summer.

Levy reportedly enquired to Sullivan about signing Bowen last year.

The message then was that Bowen was not for sale having signed a seven-year deal until 2030 in the October before.

But Sullivan is said to have told Levy he would need to pay £150m to stand any chance of getting West Ham’s talisman.

Tottenham have been heavily linked with Bowen again in the last couple of months.

This time the minimum price has dropped to £100m according to sources close to Sullivan.

Spurs have been linked with West Ham duo Bowen and Kudus

Sean Whetstone revealed Levy has a cunning plan to try and prise Bowen away from West Ham and take him to Tottenham.

Bowen recently admitted his future is in Sullivan’s hands after Whetstone claimed Tottenham “will” bid for Bowen this summer to “test West Ham’s resolve”.

The Hammers insider stated that Levy thinks he can take advantage of West Ham’s precarious finances.

There has been no further news on a Tottenham bid for Bowen.

But it is now claimed Spurs do ‘like’ a top West Ham star as Sullivan faces an excruciating call on a transfer embargo and the fee.

The idea of selling a key player to Tottenham repulses Hammers fans.

There has been an unofficial transfer embargo in place between the rivals since a furious boardroom row erupted when Levy pulled the plug on Emmanuel Adebayor’s proposed move from Tottenham to West Ham in 2015.

Spurs ‘like’ Kudus as Sullivan faces excruciating West Ham call

Since then there has been a bitter fallout between Hammers vice-chair Karren Brady and Levy, who were once close friends, over a spying scandal which went through the courts during the battle for the Olympic Stadium.

There is absolutely no love lost between the Hammers and Tottenham on or off the pitch.

But since appointing Thomas Frank, Hammers News understands Tottenham do ‘like’ Kudus and are interested in signing him.

That information has also been reported in Tottenham circles after the north Londoners allegedly baulked at the fee being quoted for Kudus’ Ghana teammate Antoine Semenyo.

“Spurs were already considering trying to get Kudus for a lot less than the release clause,” a leading transfer source told Hammers News.

“Frank is a big fan so Tottenham are expected to give that a push now.

“West Ham’s issue is one, selling to Spurs and two, the fact Levy wants to try and get him for as little as £50m.”

If Sullivan agreed to that figure, it would represent a meagre £11.5m profit for West Ham.

When it was reported Arsenal were interested at the same price earlier this month, the Hammers board said such an offer for Kudus would be ‘laughed out of the room’.

Given the unofficial transfer embargo between West Ham and Tottenham, one would think Levy would have to pay a surplus if anything.

But desperate times call for desperate measures and Sullivan may be forced to not only sell to Tottenham, but for a knockdown price too if no other suitors stump up for Kudus.

If Tottenham do come forward with an official bid it leaves West Ham between a rock and a hard place.

Not least because they need a quick sale in order to start making their own signings.

And Tottenham will know that.

Prominent journalist David Ornstein has revealed fresh developments surrounding sacked Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou after he was tipped to take over West Ham next season.

Several pundits, journalists, fans and even club legends are predicting Graham Potter may not last long at West Ham next season.

Daniel Levy will be watching the West Ham situation with interest after Spurs considered hiring Potter in January – eventually forcing David Sullivan’s hand.

Spurs have paid £10m to take Thomas Frank from Brentford to replace Ange Postecoglou.

Sliding doors moment over Spurs and Hammers manager picks

Frank was a manager Hammers fans were desperate to see their club appoint as successor to David Moyes and Julen Lopetegui.

But they went with free agent Potter, who has struggled to convince with only five wins from his 19 games.

Spurs have set something of a precedent by sacking Postecoglou despite the Aussie winning their first trophy for 17 years and leading them back into the Champions League as a result.

After a period of grace from Hammers fans, Potter will come under more intense pressure next season.

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The likes of Tony Cottee believe Potter will be in trouble at West Ham if he doesn’t get a fast start in the opening six games of the new season.

Paul Merson has predicted the Hammers could be relegated in a fiercely competitive Premier League next term.

Many Hammers fans are unconvinced about Potter and will want to see drastic improvement when he has his own players and a full pre-season.

Some West Ham fans have actually called on Sullivan to hire Postecoglou if Potter can’t turn things around.

Earlier this week a leading journalist touted West Ham as Postecoglou’s next destination.

It was stated Hammers fans are ‘desperate to feel something again’ and Postecoglou’s controversial attacking approach makes that potential marriage a possibility.

After all it was not that long ago Hammers vice-chair Karren Brady, who famously fell out with Spurs chief Levy, once made it clear she wanted Postecoglou to replace Moyes.

Brady wrote a column predicting Postecoglou would take the Premier League by storm but he ended up going to north London as Moyes stayed on another year.

Now David Ornstein has dropped a major Postecoglou twist amid the sacked Spurs boss’s West Ham links.

Given most managers tend to take a break after being sacked, a scenario where Postecoglou is looking for a job around the October or November international breaks is a distinct possibility.

Those two-week breaks are traditionally when under-performing clubs start sacking managers.

But Postecoglou could be off the market by then it seems.

Because The Athletic’s top reporter Ornstein claims Saudi side Al Ahli have now made contact with Postecoglou about becoming their new head coach.

Speculation is rife young German manager Matthias Jaissle could leave Al Ahli amid links to the RB Leipzig job.

Sacked Spurs boss could be off the market after West Ham link

Ornstein has confirmed former Tottenham boss Postecoglou is among the candidates being considered to replace Jaissle and initial talks have been held.

“Al Ahli make contact with Ange Postecoglou about becoming head coach, if Matthias Jaissle exits,” Ornstein said.

“The former Tottenham Hotspur boss among candidates being considered in event of Al Ahli managerial change. Xavi another option.”

After struggling to impress in his half a season in charge of the Hammers, it has been argued Potter would have been let go if Sullivan had got his way and only appointed him on an initial six-month deal to be reviewed in the summer.

Ironically Spurs – and Everton – played a part in West Ham having to bow to Potter’s demands for a two-and-a-half year contract by registering their own interest at the time.

Now if the Hammers do make an early change, options may be slim on the ground if Postecoglou ends up in Saudi.

A prominent and outspoken journalist has launched a scathing attack on sacked Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou while tipping him to take over at West Ham next.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy sparked controversy by sacking Ange Postecoglou after he led the club to Europa League glory and a first trophy for 17 years.

A place in the lucrative re-formatted Champions League – worth as much as £80m – proving as big for Spurs as the trophy itself.

Meanwhile over in east London, the jury very much remains out on Graham Potter at West Ham.

Fast start needed to keep pressure off Potter at West Ham

Potter has won just five of his 19 games in charge of the Hammers.

The mood around the club is on the floor after 18 months in which West Ham have won just 15 of their last 57 Premier League games.

A huge summer rebuild is required at the London Stadium but Potter has no money to spend until sales are made.

And interest is unsurprisingly limited in a squad of mostly under-performing, highly-paid players.

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Potter will start the season under pressure after being given a period of grace by West Ham fans.

Club legend Tony Cottee has suggested Potter could be in trouble at West Ham if the team doesn’t start well in the first six games.

There is no lack of irony in the situations at West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur.

Hammers vice-chair Karren Brady, who famously fell out with Spurs chief Levy, once made it very clear she would like Postecoglou to replace David Moyes.

Brady wrote a column raving about Postecoglou but he ended up going to north London as Moyes stayed on another year.

Top journalist rips into Postecoglou and tips him for West Ham

A further layer of irony is added by the fact interest from Spurs in Potter pushed West Ham to make the change in January.

When it was announced he had been relieved of his duties, many West Ham fans called on David Sullivan to embarrass Spurs by hiring Postecoglou if Potter can’t turn things around.

Now a top journalist has ripped into Postecoglou while also tipping the sacked Spurs boss to replace Potter at West Ham.

Jonathan Liew is one of the most intelligent and articulate football journalists around.

The Guardian reporter is not one to mince his words in dissecting the big talking points in the game.

Postecoglou’s sacking has certainly been one of those recently.

Writing in his latest column, Liew absolutely tore into Postecoglou’s CV, record, tactics and personality.

He also suggests Postecoglou has created an illusion he is a top manager – but predicts it will be exposed by the next move he makes.

Liew has clashed with the Aussie in press exchanges. And at the end of his withering riposte, the Guardian man predicts West Ham are one of a small collection of clubs who may offer Postecoglou a Premier League return soon.

Because he says the life has drained from the club and Hammers fans are simply ‘desperate to feel something again’.

Journalist says Hammers fans ‘just want to feel something again’

“And so the Postecoglou who declared at Celtic that he was “exactly where I want to be” now seeks another fresh start,” Liew writes.

“Perhaps a sideways move to another Premier League club, perhaps even a step up in class to the Greek Super League, the Korean K League, the League of Ireland. This part will not be a problem.

“Football has no shortage of soiled dreamers, clubs who missed the gold rush, fans whose only real desire is to feel something again. Marseille, Roma, Benfica, Schalke, West Ham. Leeds sacking Daniel Farke in November and going all in on Angeball feels like a perfect fit.

“There is of course an irony here. In his meticulously cultivated personal branding, Postecoglou often likes to paint himself as a throwback, an outsider, a counter-culturalist, the grizzled underdog. But in his reliance on patter and persuasion, bluster and bluff, he is in fact a very modern footballing phenomenon. This is Ange’s world now, and we’re all bulls——- in it.”

Liew’s stinging assessment is hardly a ringing endorsement for what Postecoglou might bring.

But given the way the window looks like it might pan out for the Hammers, Potter will have his hands tied improving the team.

And he has already shown he cannot get a tune out of the existing squad.

So maybe this is one to watch if Postecoglou doesn’t take up another role elsewhere first.

Since hiring Graham Potter to replace Julen Lopetegui in January, West Ham United have been linked with numerous players who worked with the former Brighton and Chelsea boss in seasons gone by.

In an attempt to convince the Hammers to part with Mohammed Kudus, Chelsea offered Nathaniel Chalobah in exchange.

Graham Potter’s former Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has been mentioned as well, while West Ham held talks with Adam Webster a few months ago before cooling their interest in the experienced centre-half.

This is a rather long-winded way of saying that, when a manager gets a new job as Potter did at the beginning of 2025 after West Ham United came calling, it is far from uncommon for reunions to take place between a coach and some of his most-trusted lieutenants.

So Darren Bent, the former England international who scored 106 Premier League goals between 2001 and 2013, is not surprised to see reports emerge suggesting Thomas Frank could look to take Bryan Mbeumo with him from Brentford to Tottenham Hotspur.

Darren Bent explains why he joined Tottenham rather than West Ham United

Frank is expected to take over at Spurs this week following the oh-so divisive sacking of Ange Postecoglou.

While reports of a late hi-jacking from North London have been played down in the media – Mbeumo still seems destined for Manchester United – Bent knows all too well the role emotions and pre-established relationships can play.

“Mbeumo under Thomas Frank has been incredible. He has turned into a superstar,” Bent says, the Brentford talisman scoring 20 top-flight goals in the 2024/25 season.

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“If Thomas Frank comes to him, I know exactly what he will say to him. ‘You’re going to Man United, look at what’s going on at that club. You come to me, we have worked together, you know exactly how I operate, you are going to play every single week at Tottenham’.

“That might be enough to sway his brain to go to Tottenham.

Bent, by his own admission, had the opportunity to reunite with his former Charlton Athletic boss Alan Curbishley at Upton Park back in 2007 before eventually making a £16.5 million switch to Spurs instead.

The former Aston Villa and Sunderland poacher would not see eye-to-eye with then-West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson, talks breaking down as a result.

Magnusson – whose distinctive cranium made his name a gift to pundits and critics alike – would later describe himself as feeling ‘surprised’ and ‘disappointed’ when Bent slipped through the Hammers’ grasp, in quotes reported by The Standard.

“I had this situation with Alan Curbishley at West Ham,” recalls Bent, who also missed out on a reunion with another ex-Addicks boss when Alan Pardew was on the touchline of Newcastle United.

“I didn’t go to West Ham. That wasn’t his fault, I would have loved to play with Curbs! I didn’t get on with the owner, so I didn’t go there and went to Tottenham [but] I had unbelievable times with Curbs.

“If Thomas Frank gets the job and says to Mbeumo ‘just come and talk to me’, Mbeumo has got a big decision to make.”

Alan Curbishley admitted he wanted the England striker at West Ham

Bent, before kick-starting his top-flight career in a prolific spell at Sunderland, would struggle for regular game time in a stacked Tottenham attack containing Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe and Dimitar Berbatov.

“In an ideal world, you want four top strikers which is what Spurs have,” Curbishley would admit during an injury crisis which left Carlton Cole as West Ham’s only senior centre-forward, per The Standard,

“Darren wanted to go to Spurs. He felt that was the right move for him, but he would have played regularly if he had come to West Ham.

“He is not used to missing out. He played every game at Ipswich and Charlton.”

West Ham fans are calling on majority owner David Sullivan to embarrass Daniel Levy and Tottenham with a bold move if the nightmare continues.

West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur may not like one another – on or off the pitch – but they share a lot in common in recent seasons.

Both the Hammers and Spurs were among the biggest underachievers in any of Europe’s top leagues last season.

West Ham spent £155m and changed managers twice to finish 14th in the Premier League.

Meanwhile Tottenham were the worst team in the top flight besides the woeful bottom three.

Like West Ham a couple of seasons ago, though, Tottenham managed to end their long wait for major silverware by lifting a European trophy.

The Hammers waited a year before parting ways with David Moyes after the club’s unforgettable Conference League triumph two years ago to the day.

Will Spurs be told ‘careful what you wish for’ like West Ham?

Even then the club were slammed by all and sundry and warned to be ‘careful what you wish for’.

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The choices made since have been disastrous.

Technical director Tim Steidten flopped spectacularly when handed full control of recruitment as he followed Moyes’ successor Julen Lopetegui out of the West Ham exit in January.

Ange Postecoglou survived the season despite Tottenham setting a new Premier League record number of defeats (22) for a team that was not relegated.

The Australian manager led Spurs to Europa League glory – and Champions League qualification that comes with it.

But despite ending Tottenham’s 17-year wait for a major trophy and over four decades since their last European honour, Postecoglou has now been sacked amid much furore.

Daniel Levy has been almost universally panned for the decision, particularly by a large faction of Tottenham supporters.

West Ham were criticised for letting Moyes go after he won them a trophy. And that was despite waiting a year before doing so.

Even Hammers supporters have been critical of Levy’s actions.

Now West Ham fans are urging David Sullivan to embarrass Spurs over Postecoglou.

The jury is still very much out on Graham Potter at the London Stadium.

Ironically, interest from Spurs in Potter pushed West Ham to make the change in January.

The Englishman won just five of his 19 games in charge in the second half of West Ham’s dismal season.

West Ham fans urge Sullivan to embarrass Spurs over Postecoglou

That was a worse record than Lopetegui and the worst win ratio since the hapless Avram Grant took the Hammers down.

Potter didn’t help his reputation at West Ham with a big Spurs clanger.

After being given a period of grace having taken over mid-season, the pressure will be on Potter from the get-go when the new Premier League campaign starts in August.

Many Hammers fans have been bored by Potter’s style of play.

The 50-year-old has pledged to make changes to the team this summer which will improve West Ham’s attack.

That wasn’t a problem for Postecoglou’s side – nor has it ever been with setting up to attack being all the now ex Tottenham boss knows and values.

Values that would go down very well at West Ham, where fans want to see their team have a go at everyone they play.

Hammers fans call for Postecoglou if Potter nightmare continues

Hammers vice-chair Karren Brady once made it very clear she would like Postecoglou to replace Moyes.

Brady wrote a gushing column about Postecoglou and the job he had done at Celtic.

But West Ham held on to Moyes after they won the Conference League and Postecoglou went to Spurs instead.

Now Hammers fans are calling on Sullivan to act quickly next season if Potter can’t turn things around.

And many want the club to embarrass Levy by giving Postecoglou a second crack at the Premier League.

“Personally, I’d have Ange here tomorrow. Who’s with me?” said West Ham fan and author Daniel Hurley.

When one Hammer pointed out Postecoglou’s ‘refusal to have a plan B would soon wear thin with fans’, Hurley responded: “Having a Plan A would be an upgrade.”

A large number of his fellow Hammers supporters agreed.

“We didn’t have a plan A all last season,” another Irons fan pointed out.

One West Ham fan believes Postecoglou’s approach would be welcomed, but questioned how many of the current squad would be suitable.

“He wouldn’t have Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jarrod Bowen out of position for starters. However, he’s similar to Potter in that he only has one way of playing… and there are only two or three in this squad capable of doing it,” another West Ham fan said.

Another said West Ham should replace Potter with Postecoglou out of spite if nothing else.

‘If Potter struggles early, I’d be happy to have Postecoglou’

“Revenge for them appointing Harry Redknapp all them years ago,” the Hammers fan said.

One Hammers fan was hoping Postecoglou would be sacked during last season so West Ham could snap him up then.

“Said this I believe during the season that I would take him right away if he’s sacked. Unrealistic now, but if Potter struggles early and is out and he’s available I would be happy to have him.”

When another West Ham fan asked his fellow supporters whether they would take Postecoglou as Potter’s replacement, many of the responses were in favour of the sacked Spurs boss.

“If it meant a trophy in his second season, as long as it’s not the Championship, then yes,” one Hammers fan said.

Other fans believe Sullivan would not appoint Postecoglou despite it looking like a good fit.

“I don’t mind him, but to be honest whilst Sullivan is in charge we could hire Guardiola and he’d turn him to —-,” one fan added.

“No chance Sullivan would hire him. Too outspoken,” a West Ham supporter said.

Final word to two West Ham fans who think Postecoglou’s style of play and character are what the club is crying out for.

“As a general point, I think an attack first manager might help us a lot. Been keen on Rodgers. They don’t tend to last long but it’ll help us learn to play on the front foot,” the supporter said.

Another added: “I would take him all day long. His personality would suit us too.”

A long-running battle between West Ham and rivals Tottenham Hotspur for a top Graham Potter target has reached a surprising conclusion after a stunning late twist.

What happens next will be very interesting – and concerning for one of the rivals – as the Hammers and Spurs appear to be shopping in the same market.

Tottenham’s Europa League triumph is not only painful for West Ham’s fans.

It is also a real problem for West Ham’s manager Graham Potter and the board too, with Champions League football – and the extra £80-100m revenue it brings – giving the club’s fierce rivals a major leg up in the transfer market.

The Hammers have already lost their Spurs-specific chant ‘We’ll be running around Tottenham with our European cup singing I’ve got a trophy haven’t you’.

They looked on course to lose out to Tottenham in a battle for one of Potter’s prime targets too.

West Ham and Spurs on collision course for signings

West Ham have made it clear sales are needed to fund signings this summer due to PSR.

Despite being among the most profitable clubs in Europe, Daniel Levy has put it on record that Spurs might have to sell to buy too, recently stating: ‘we can’t spend what we don’t have’.

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As a result, a lively free agent market is particularly attractive to both West Ham and Tottenham in this crucial summer transfer window.

Forget Spurs’ Europa League win, they were the worst team in the Premier League outside the abysmal bottom three last season.

West Ham were not much better, finishing 14th.

Big improvements need to be made in east and north London and free agents Jonathan David and Angelo Gomes have been top targets for the Irons and Spurs.

In fact Potter asked West Ham’s owners to bring him David and Gomes this summer when he first took over in January.

The Englishman pledged they would help transform West Ham overnight.

West Ham held negotiations with Gomes’ agents. But they hit a brick wall when the player said he would not make any decisions until he had finished the season with Lille.

Since then it is Spurs who have emerged as Gomes’ most likely destination.

Stunning late twist to West Ham and Spurs battle as deal agreed

It was claimed Edmonton-born England star Gomes would choose Tottenham over West Ham if Ange Postecoglou’s side secured Champions League football.

Now there has been a stunning twist to the West Ham and Spurs battle for the star Potter loves as a deal has been agreed.

And what happens next will be very interesting – and worrying for West Ham.

French journalist Fabrice Hawkins has revealed Gomes has now snubbed both Tottenham and West Ham to reach a ‘preliminary agreement’ with Marseille.

It is claimed Gomes has agreed in principle to sign a three-year deal with Lille’s Ligue 1 rivals.

But the potential domino effect is just as concerning.

And it is claimed Roberto De Zerbi’s style of play – combined with Champions League football – won Gomes over as he chose Marseille over Spurs and the Hammers.

Hawkins states Marseille aim to finalise the deal this week.

On the one hand this is good news for West Ham as they are not missing out to their rivals for a top target.

But with both clubs looking for players in the same position, the threat of Spurs will now loom large over Potter’s alternatives.

The Hammers will be wary of Tottenham turning to Club Brugge star Raphael Onyedika, who has been in ‘positive’ early talks with West Ham.

Hammers will worry Spurs may pounce for top alternative

Onyedika is West Ham’s alternative to Gomes and a much more physically imposing midfielder than the diminutive Marseille-bound player.

The 24-year-old Nigerian, who has been compared to Moises Caicedo, looks better equipped for the Premier League and has made it clear he wants to move to England.

With Tottenham able to offer Champions League football, the Hammers will just need to hope their rivals don’t turn attentions to Onyedika.

Because the Hammers’ head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay is standing by Onyedika as West Ham’s top priority.

The big issue is West Ham can’t complete what’s expected to be a £17m move until they have sold players.

That leaves the door open for others to pounce. And with Spurs missing out on Gomes, that is a very worrying scenario for the Hammers.