West Ham turn to target who prefers them over Everton after Eddie Howe swoops to hijack prime target
West Ham Shift Focus to New Goalkeeper Target Who Prefers Them Over Everton After Newcastle Hijack Hermansen Deal
West Ham United have been forced to rapidly adjust their transfer strategy after a dramatic twist in the pursuit of Danish goalkeeper Mads Hermansen. The Hammers had identified Hermansen as a top target for the No. 1 jersey this summer. However, their hopes of landing the Leicester City shot-stopper have been severely dented by a late and aggressive move from Newcastle United, who have entered the race with a compelling offer.
The Magpies, frustrated with their own slow progress in the market, launched a surprise hijack for Graham Potter’s priority target, dealing a blow to West Ham’s carefully laid plans. As a result, Potter and the club’s hierarchy have had to pivot quickly – turning their attention to a new goalkeeper target who, crucially, prefers a move to East London over a potential switch to Everton.
This latest development spells more trouble for Everton, who had also been tracking some of the same targets. But while the Toffees have suffered a setback, West Ham have emerged as the frontrunners for a new goalkeeper option with time still left in the window.
Newcastle’s Late Intervention Shakes Things Up
Newcastle’s sudden interest in Hermansen comes after their own frustrations in the transfer window. Manager Eddie Howe, who has only seen the arrival of Anthony Elanga so far, recently admitted publicly that the club is under pressure to act quickly as the window nears its close. Their failure to land Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford prompted them to pivot toward Hermansen, despite earlier links to Alphonse Areola.
The Danish international had been lined up for weeks by West Ham, particularly due to the incoming appointment of Casper Ankergren as the club’s new lead goalkeeper coach – a move that was expected to pave the way for Hermansen’s arrival due to their previous working relationship at Brøndby.
However, despite all signs pointing to an agreement, West Ham now appear to have conceded defeat in the chase, unwilling to match Leicester’s current £25 million asking price amid Newcastle’s more enticing offer – which includes guaranteed Champions League football.
West Ham’s Summer Struggles Continue
The chaos comes amid a summer of growing frustration at the London Stadium. Despite Graham Potter promising an “exciting and interesting” window upon his appointment, the club went the first seven weeks of the summer without making a single signing. The new manager, alongside West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan, is now under increasing pressure to deliver results and rejuvenate a squad that is clearly in need of reinforcement.
Among the priorities for the Hammers are at least two midfielders, a centre-back, a versatile forward who can play out wide, and most urgently, a new goalkeeper to replace the departed Lukasz Fabianski. The performances of Alphonse Areola since Potter’s arrival have been particularly concerning, with his latest errors in a 2-1 pre-season loss to Manchester United highlighting the need for a new No. 1.
West Ham Turn to Michael Cooper – Preferred Over Everton
With the Hermansen deal slipping away, West Ham are now focused on Sheffield United’s Michael Cooper, who is reportedly keen on a move to East London. According to journalist Alan Nixon, the 25-year-old former Plymouth Argyle star is now top of West Ham’s revised goalkeeper shortlist. Importantly, Cooper is said to “fancy” the move to West Ham, in contrast to his reluctance to join Everton earlier in the summer.
Everton had made an approach for Cooper as a potential backup to Jordan Pickford, but the Exeter-born goalkeeper was not interested in playing second fiddle at Goodison Park. West Ham, on the other hand, can offer him the No. 1 role and the opportunity to play a leading part in their rebuild under Potter.
Nixon adds that Potter and West Ham’s head of recruitment, Kyle Macaulay, are set to carry out final checks before submitting a formal offer. The deal could cost West Ham around £15 million – nearly four times what Sheffield United paid Plymouth for him just last year.
Other Options Still Under Consideration
While Cooper appears to be the new priority, West Ham continue to monitor other goalkeepers as potential alternatives. One such name is Japan international Zion Suzuki, currently with Parma. However, a deal for Suzuki looks unlikely due to his £30 million valuation, which would represent a significant outlay for a position that West Ham may now seek to address more cost-effectively.
Newcastle and West Ham Share Window Frustration
Both West Ham and Newcastle find themselves in similarly turbulent positions this summer. The Magpies’ squad remains thin with Howe visibly irritated by the lack of additions, especially with European football on the horizon. West Ham, meanwhile, have yet to generate momentum in what was supposed to be a transformative window under new leadership.
Adding to the tension, West Ham recently stirred controversy by targeting injury-prone former Newcastle striker Callum Wilson after his St. James’ Park exit. The Hammers had also missed out on Thierno Barry, who was signed by Everton manager David Moyes – ironically beating his former employers to the punch.
As the transfer window draws closer to its final weeks, all three clubs – West Ham, Newcastle, and Everton – find themselves embroiled in a complex battle for top targets. The race to secure a new goalkeeper could end up being one of the key stories in what has so far been an unpredictable and eventful window.