WEST HAM will target a midfielder after agreeing a three-year deal with Kyle Walker-Peters.
The Hammers hijacked Besiktas’ deal to sign the 28-year-old, with the Turkish club having announced a deal before having to pull out.
Having landed Walker-Peters, as well as left back El Hadji Malick Diouf, West Ham will now look to overhauling their midfield.
Liverpool‘s Harvey Elliott is Graham Potter‘s top target, though the Hammers are put off by the Reds’ £40m price tag.
West Ham will ask the champions if they could strike a deal on loan with an option to help with their tight financial position.
Elliott is ready to leave Anfield this summer and will not be short of suitors – meaning Liverpool may be reluctant to agree a loan.
Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes is also being considered.
The Hammers had made moves to sign both Walker-Peters and Fernandes last summer under Julen Lopetegui, with Potter still keen on the Saints duo.
Walker-Peters left Southampton at the end his contract this summer following their relegation back to the Championship.
Graham Potter has been keen to land back-up to Aaron Wan-Bissaka following Vladimir Coufal‘s exit.
Walker-Peters’ versatility, having shown he is more than capable of playing down the left or as a full-back, will also be a big help.
The two-cap England man, had agreed a lucrative deal with Besiktas and a medical had been scheduled.
The defender had been set to fly to Turkey before surprising Besiktas with a request to hold off.
Besiktas said: “It is publicly known that the arrival of professional football player Kyle Walker-Peters, with whom we previously announced an agreement in principle and invited him to Istanbul for a medical examination, has been postponed.
“Today, Kyle Walker-Peters notified us, requesting an extension.
“Consequently, our club has withdrawn its transfer.
“Our club continues its transfer efforts in accordance with its established policy. We respectfully inform the public.”
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