The British tabloid reported via its website (22 January) that the Premier League sides agreed to a £1.5 million compensation package, casting further doubt on Tim Steidten’s future.
Steidten could be pushed out the door at the London Stadium [ExWHUExmployee] after his frivolous summer spending spree totalling upwards of £100m yielded underwhelming results.
Macauley is Potter’s trusted advisor, having worked with the Irons boss at Ostersund, Swansea, Brighton, and Chelsea – he will begin his duties on Thursday (23 January) with a defender, deep-lying midfielder, and forward high on the list of priorities.
Kyle Macaulay will bring in three signings for West Ham United
Potter has endured a mixed start to life at West Ham – with two losses and one win to his name – he faces a monumental rebuilding task ahead.
Although several key areas of the pitch must be addressed in the winter transfer window, recruiting a new striker must be at the forefront of attention.
Niclas Fullkrug is out for up to three months, as per Jack Rosser, joining Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen on the sidelines with the lack of a recognised centre-forward detrimental, particularly in the 2-0 loss against Crystal Palace on Saturday (18 January).
The Irons tried and failed with a £57 million bid to sign Jhon Duran from Aston Villa [David Ornstein], but among the plethora of names linked with a move to East London, a few standouts remain.
Fulham forward Rodrigo Muniz, RB Leipzig’s Andre Silva, Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi and Brighton starlet Evan Ferguson are the shortlisted options.
West Ham are currently in “major” talks for the latter, and the Seagulls are open to sanctioning a loan exit with a purchase clause [TEAMtalk].
Nevertheless, the Irons faithful will be pleased with the positive developments as Macauley begins working with Max Hahn to provide Potter with the firepower he needs to end the 2024/25 season with a bang.
