Julen Lopetegui – CaughtOffside

Alexander-Arnold-esque player offered to West Ham for transfer

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 11:20:29 +0000

With just over three weeks to go until the start of the new Premier League season, West Ham remain one of the busier teams in the transfer market.

As of this moment, the East Londoners have only managed to get three deals over the line, which will surely come as a great shock to Julen Lopetegui given that he walked away from Wolverhampton Wanderers when their promises of transfers also failed to materialise.

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There is still time for the club to redress the balance of course, and it may well be that the nearer we get to the start of the 2024/25 season, the quicker negotiations progress.

One player that could be lining up at the London Stadium soon is Bayern Munich’s excellent full-back, Noussair Mazraoui.

According to HITC sources, the player is surplus to requirements in Bavaria and would be available at around the £25m mark.

He’s often been compared to Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold in terms of style, and as can be seen by the above graphic, provided by one versus one, though he could do much better with his interceptions and blocks, he’s aerially better, and three times as good in a defensive sense.

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West Ham set to battle Man United for €25m-rated Bayern ace

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 06:49:22 +0000

Both West Ham and Man United have been active in the transfer market this summer, and with a few weeks left before the window slams shut, there’s an expectation that more signings will be made.

The right-back position is evidently one where both clubs are looking to strengthen and it may well be that the future of Aaron Wan-Bissaka has a defining effect on both clubs before the 2024/25 season begins.

It’s understood that the Hammers are interested in the former Crystal Palace man, however, as Sky Sports Germany note, both the East Londoners and the Red Devils have been in talks with Bayern Munich over Noussair Mazraoui.

West Ham to battle with Man United over Mazraoui

The outlet note that the Bundesliga giants would be prepared to accept between €20m and €25m for Mazraoui’s services, a price that is well within reach for both Premier League sides.

If the Hammers aren’t successful in landing Mazraoui, then Wan-Bissaka will be a reasonable enough alternative.

Man United would certainly sell the player to the East Londoners if they themselves can land the Bayern ace.

West Ham and Man United want Noussair Mazraoui

At present, it isn’t clear what the 26-year-old Moroccan’s plans are, and indeed whether he favours Old Trafford over the London Stadium.

Once his decision is made, then the right-back merry-go-round will start to turn.

From Julen Lopetegui’s point of view, West Ham appear to have had their fingers in a number of pies transfer wise, but have only managed to get three deals over the line so far.

Man United have very evidently puffed out their chests and have bought some of the biggest names available in the market so far.

In essence at present, West Ham want to be a team that are going places whilst Man United clearly are.

Signing Mazraoui won’t make or break the window for either club, though it will put down a marker.

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West Ham told to pay £25m+ for Man Utd goalscoring midfielder

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 11:27:28 +0000

The make up of West Ham’s first-team starting XI could look markedly different from last season when they first take to the field in 2024/25.

Perhaps because of Julen Lopetegui’s way of playing, certain players are being targeted for various positions, which is likely to ensure that some players who were first-team regulars under David Moyes, will either be a second choice under the Spaniard or will be sold.

West Ham linked with Scott McTominay again

One player that the Hammers were linked with 12 months ago is Man United’s marauding goalscoring midfielder, Scott McTominay.

It would appear that the Scot could be surplus to requirements for the Red Devils again, given their known interest in PSG’s Manuel Ugarte, so the time could be right for the 27-year-old to move on.

One former Hammer, Frank McAvennie, has demanded his old club get the deal done.

“I would pay it. £25million-£29million is nothing for a midfield player of Scott’s calibre. He’s only 27 years old and you see him play for Scotland, he scores goals, and he can play centre-half or centre-midfield,” he said to West Ham Zone.

“He’s in amongst all the big boys at Manchester United. It must be bad because he’s playing well and all of a sudden, he gets dropped. I’m asking, ‘Why is he being dropped?’ because the others are rubbish.

“I’d take him at West Ham. He needs a strong manager to get his finger out because he’s a damn good player when he puts his mind to it.”

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Exclusive: Julen Lopetegui wants World Cup winner at West Ham

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 11:01:09 +0000

It’s proving to be a fruitful and busy summer transfer window for Julen Lopetegui and West Ham United.

Exciting Brazilian talent, Luis Guilherme, keeper, Wes Foderingham, and Lopetegui’s former Wolves captain, Max Kilman, have all been captured, with plenty of other irons in the fire according to CaughtOffside sources with knowledge of their transfer plans.

The latest player to be linked with the club is French World Cup winner, N’Golo Kante.

West Ham want N’Golo Kante

Now at Al Ittihad, the Hammers have already met with the former Chelsea midfielder’s agents, and are informed about his situation and the terms of any deal should things progress.

Lopetegui has approved the transfer of the 33-year-old, however, CaughtOffside sources understand that at this stage, Al-Ittihad has no plans to sell Kante.

West Ham want N’Golo Kante

Indeed, sources note that the directors of the Saudi Pro League club said in a meeting with Kante’s agents that they would not approve this transfer under any circumstances.

In addition, new coach, Laurent Blanc, has already met with his countryman and said that he trusts him.

Saudi sources also say that Kante himself is happy to be at Al-Ittihad, though interestingly he wouldn’t rule out the possibility of returning to the Premier League again in the future.

With money seemingly no object in Saudi, players wanting to move back to Europe from there would only be doing so from a professional, rather than financial, standpoint.

Given that Kante is already approaching his mid thirties, the window of opportunity for him to return to the English top-flight is likely to be narrow, and therefore this could condition his decision.

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Arsenal star not “close” to leaving but West Ham ready to pounce says Romano

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 07:00:00 +0000

With Arsenal coming so close to landing their first Premier League title in 20 years last season, it’s clear that Mikel Arteta and his staff are getting nearer to landing the coveted silverware.

The Gunners have improved season upon season under the stewardship of the Spaniard, and likely just need a tweak here and there to get them over the line at the expense of Pep Guardiola’s Man City.

That’s no easy task of course. The Cityzens have won an unprecedented four Premier Leagues in a row, and if it weren’t for Liverpool’s victory in 2020, City would have, incredibly, won the last seven English top-flight titles.

West Ham want Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson

It’s unlikely to deter Arteta, sporting director Edu, or the players that the North Londoners currently have in their stable.

Of course, in order to make room in the squad for new faces, some players need to be moved on, whether they like it or not.

It’s something that Arteta has become something of a master at, right back to easing the likes of Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of the Emirates Stadium exit door.

Reiss Nelson in action for Arsenal

24-year-old Reiss Nelson could well be the next to make way.

“West Ham have been busy in the current transfer window and are still working as usual on several deals, including for a new striker and one more centre back,” Fabrizio Romano said to CaughtOffside for his exclusive Daily Briefing.

“It’s not ‘close’ yet but for sure Reiss Nelson is expected to leave Arsenal this summer and he’s one of the names on West Ham’s list. They like him, but nothing is imminent yet as still at initial stages.”

Another Spaniard looking to make his mark in the Premier League is Julen Lopetegui, and if he can land Nelson for a reasonable fee, the player is still young enough to have a great English top-flight career ahead of him.

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West Ham fear deadly duo could be on their way out of the club

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 11:04:04 +0000

With Julen Lopetegui installed as new West Ham first-team coach, exciting times could be ahead at the London Stadium.

Though David Moyes got the Hammers into Europe for three seasons in a row, his style of football was never really appreciated by the Irons faithful.

Knowledge that the Spaniard prefers a more attacking, front-foot way of playing should certainly see initial buy in from those that pay their hard-earned each week, and Lopetegui’s brief will remain simple.

Play attractive, winning football.

West Ham concerned that Kudus and Paqueta could leave

That might be easier said than done if both Mo Kudus and Lucas Paqueta leave for the Saudi Pro League, however.

According to TeamTalk, Al Nassr have contacted the agents of both players to understand the conditions they would need to meet to ensure the pair make the move from the best league in the world to the 68th best (TeamForm).

With money seemingly no object to the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) who are bankrolling the Pro League, it wouldn’t be a surprise to learn that the Hammers hierarchy are worried.

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£25m Arsenal man set for West Ham switch this summer

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 06:09:18 +0000

West Ham appear to be one of the busiest teams in the summer transfer window so far.

Unlike 12 months ago when it took right up until the week of the first match of the season before the Hammers managed to land any new signings, Tim Steidten has already brought three players in with more in the pipeline.

Wes Foderingham, Max Kilman and Luis Guilherme have signed for a combined €70m+ (transfermarkt), whilst a bid for Nice’s former Barcelona centre-back, Jean-Clair Todibo, would appear to be just one offer out in the marketplace.

?????? Jean-Clair Todibo has been very clear with Nice: he wants to join Juventus as priority, currently waiting for them.

West Ham had bid accepted but they’re aware of player plan to wait for Juve, as reported earlier this morning.

Personal terms already agreed. ?? pic.twitter.com/9ujE98ibpC

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2024

News that Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson is another player on the Hammers radar shows just how much effort is going into this summer’s recruitment drive.

TalkSPORT note that, in fact, West Ham are favourites to land the £25m-rated 24-year-old.

If technical director, Tim Steidten, continues working so feverishly the East Londoners could have a brilliant squad for new manager, Julen Lopetegui, to work with.

West Ham favourites for Reiss Nelson

Things were always going to change once David Moyes left the manager’s position at the London Stadium, though surely no one could’ve foreseen the pace at which that change would occur.

What that does of course is place the pressure squarely on the Spaniard’s shoulders.

For all of Moyes’ faults, he managed to get the Hammers into Europe for three seasons in a row, and that will be the benchmark for Lopetegui.

With the investment the club are making too, arguably the fans might be expecting him to go one better in 2024/25 and finish in the Champions League spots.

It’s a tall order but things are certainly moving in that direction, and Nelson’s hire could prove to be another studious addition by a club that are clearly on the up.

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Jean-Clair Todibo’s absolute priority detailed with West Ham still interested

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 09:52:54 +0000

One of the most wanted players in this summer’s transfer market is Nice’s brilliant former Barcelona defender, Jean-Clair Todibo.

The 24-year-old Frenchman was thought to be one of Man United’s priority captures given that the Ligue Un club are also owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group, however, nothing has progressed to this point because of UEFA’s ruling on multi-club ownership per The Athletic (subscription required).

West Ham are known to want to sign the player, with CaughtOffside columnist and transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, detailing their interest on X (formerly Twitter).

?????? West Ham are still interested in Jean-Clair Todibo but he’s giving total priority to Juventus now.

Todibo wants Juventus; the club need to sell players in order to try again. ?? https://t.co/bUbAjfYm9y

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2024

Romano also states that Todibo’s absolute priority is to move to Juventus, however, the Serie A giant need to sell players before they can buy, and that puts them at a slight disadvantage at this juncture.

West Ham target Todibo wants Juve move

If the Hammers can land any more of their targets in the interim, it would show Todibo that they mean business and there’s a slight chance that the player could therefore be persuaded to change his mind.

You can never say never in football, and as recently as this week we saw Monaco furious with Georges Mikautadze after the Georgian had already agreed a medical with them, only to go and agree a move to their Ligue Un rivals, Lyon.

From West Ham’s point of view, they’re beginning to build a squad for Julen Lopetegui that it seems they hope would rival the best in the division.

Todibo would certainly fall into that category, and so technical director, Tim Steidten, needs to keep working at the coal face in order keep the lines of communication open.

As the saying goes ‘it ain’t over till it’s over…’

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Exclusive: West Ham edging closer to sensational striker signing

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 09:17:50 +0000

Ahead of another gruelling Premier League season, West Ham United are really making a splash in the transfer market.

With no European campaign to play during 2024/25, Julen Lopetegui should have the luxury of his players being able to rest at crucial times of the season, whereas their direct opponents for finishing in the European places at the end of the new season could have to rotate quite a bit more in order to keep everyone fit and firing at the business end.

West Ham make an offer for Alexander Sorloth

Technical director, Tim Steidten, has already helped to execute some brilliant deals this summer, and according to CaughtOffside sources with knowledge of the Hammers transfer plans, the Irons have now made an opening bid of £25m for Villarreal’s Norwegian striker, Alexander Sorloth.

The La Liga club are open to selling the 28-year-old, who is understood to have a €38 million release fee, and the offer made by the Hammers is approaching that price tag.

It’s believed that AS Roma had been in talks with Sorloth’s agents for some time and they were about to reach an agreement on personal terms.

West Ham have made a bid for Alexander Sorloth

However, CaughtOffside sources now understand that the Giallorossi are concerned that the Norwegian striker’s thinking may change due to West Ham’s interest.

The East Londoners will hold talks with Sorloth’s agents this week, and will offer the player a contract until 2029/3030.

If the two clubs can then agree on a suitable price, assuming that the Yellow Submarine will negotiate with regards to the release fee, the matter will then be in the hands of the player.

As an old school type of centre-forward, he’d be entirely at home in the rough and tumble of the Premier League, and the Hammers will have landed themselves with a target man par excellence and a focal point of their attacks.

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West Ham talking with Juventus over highly-rated star as Leicester make formal offer

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 09:00:07 +0000

West Ham are certainly keeping themselves busy in this summer’s transfer market, with not a day going by where the East Londoners aren’t linked with another player.

Clearly, technical director, Tim Steidten, is determined to help land the players that Julen Lopetegui wants in order to have the Hammers up there challenging for honours at the business end of the season.

It’s bound to be a different looking West Ham side too, even if the majority of personnel will remain.

West Ham and Leicester in fight for Juve’s Soule

That’s because the Spaniard prefers a high-pressing, front-foot attacking game, rather than the pragmatic, defensive style of his predecessor, David Moyes.

There will be new faces of course, and one of those could be highly-rated Argentinian, Matias Soule.

The 21-year-old remains a Juventus player though he did spend a season on loan at Frosinone in 2023/24, and Gazzetta dello Sport report that the two clubs remain in discussions over the transfer of the player.

Matias Soule to West Ham or Leicester City?

In 36 Serie A games last season, Soule plundered 11 goals and three assists (WhoScored), so it’s blindingly obvious why the East Londoners want to sign him.

However, they could be beaten to the punch by Leicester City.

That’s because Gazzetta dello Sport also note that the Foxes have already gone as far as placing their opening bid for the player.

The Midlands-based side have offered €25m as well as €5m in add-ons, but the Bianconeri have turned that down as they want a guaranteed €30m.

Given that Leicester’s offer isn’t too far away from that, West Ham will need to get their skates on if they want Soule to be wearing the claret and blue next season.

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