West Ham face nightmare scenario as Aston Villa plot hijack for perfect Graham Potter signing. Graham Potter absolutely has to bring a top-class striker to West Ham United in the summer, but Aston Villa would wreck one of his plans.
Aston Villa are flush with cash following the sale of Jhon Duran, and if Ollie Watkins is moved on as well in the summer, West Ham could face a nightmare situation from that ripple effect. Graham Potter has already brought Evan Ferguson to the London Stadium on loan.
However, even if we do end up signing the 20-year-old on a permanent deal in the summer, that doesn’t mean Potter shouldn’t be looking to sign another powerhouse centre-forward.
The Hammers will most likely be moving on Danny Ings, Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkrug before the start of next season, so more additions will be required.
Potter is said to be planning a squad revamp in the summer. And central to those plans should be the addition of a proven striker – someone who can improve us instantly.
Now though, it seems like Villa could be set to throw a spanner in the works for the Hammers.
Aston Villa could hijack West Ham’s perfect Graham Potter signing
The Hammers face stiff competition from Aston Villa for one of our key transfer targets this summer by all accounts.
Villa have become a real powerhouse in the Premier League under Unai Emery. So the last thing we need is them stepping into the race for one of Potter’s targets.
According to a report from Caught Offside, Villa are now turning their attention to Crystal Palace centre-forward Jean-Philippe Mateta. That’s terrible news for Hammers boss Graham Potter.
Mateta is reportedly a key transfer target for Potter ahead of the summer transfer window.
And if Aston Villa are in for him now as well, signing him will be an even more difficult task than it already was.
Jean-Philippe Mateta absolutely perfect for West Ham
The Palace forward, 27, has been quite simply superb this season, with 13 goals and two assists to his name in 28 games for the Eagles.
The Frenchman is the quintessential target man forward, but he has incredible technical ability as well. Standing at 6ft 4in tall, Mateta is a real handful for opposing defenders, and has caused them all sorts of problems this season.
The West Ham fans got a first hand look at just how good Mateta is during Crystal Palace’s 2-0 win over us at the London Stadium last month.
At 27, the former Lyon and Mainz striker is the perfect signing for the Hammers for the here and now. However, if Aston Villa are really in for Jean-Philippe Mateta, Graham Potter will really have his work cut-out if he is to bring him to West Ham in the summer.
