UEFA could hand West Ham shock advantage over Chelsea for exciting striker. When West Ham paid Chelsea £1.2m to reunite Kyle Macaulay with Graham Potter it was inevitable there would be some crossover.
West Ham boss Graham Potter was chewed up and spat out by the circus that surrounded Chelsea during his brief tenure. But it says a lot that his recruitment guru Kyle Macaulay was retained by the Blues until the Hammers came knocking.
Especially during a time when Chelsea have been ravenously identifying and snapping up top young talent from across the world.
West Ham and Chelsea on collision course over striker. When Potter ended his 20-month hiatus from management after his Chelsea sacking to accept the West Ham job he insisted on Macaulay joining him.
Now the club are hoping to reap the rewards during what will be a crucial – and extended – summer transfer window. West Ham and Chelsea have two bites at the cherry this summer.
Inside West Ham’s London Stadium. Inset, Hammers boss Graham Potter, majority owner David Sullivan and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay. Inside West Ham’s London Stadium. Inset, Hammers boss Graham Potter, majority owner David Sullivan and head of recruitment Kyle.
The transfer window will open June 1-10 before closing for less than a week and opening again until September. West Ham need another overhaul to fix their poorly composed squad.
Potter and Macaulay are targeting a host of young stars to reshape the Hammers side around.
Given he has been plotting Chelsea’s future transfers until just two months ago, that means there is bound to be some crossover in terms of targets between the London rivals.
One of those is giant 22-year-old Dutch striker sensation Emanuel Emegha.
Chelsea had big advantage over Hammers for Emegha. Football Correspondent Graeme Bailey recently confirmed to Hammers News that West Ham remain interested in Emegha.
The problem for West Ham is that Chelsea are reportedly keeping tabs on his too and have had a distinct advantage as a potential ace card – until now. Towering Strasbourg striker Emegha was on West Ham’s radar in the January window.
Bailey claims nothing has changed and the Hammers very much remain interested in Emegha.
Which should be no real surprise because West Ham desperately need to sign two new forwards this summer and Emegha’s club are owned by BlueCo, a consortium led by Chelsea owner Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
Now UEFA could hand West Ham shock advantage over Chelsea for Emegha
A rangy, powerful and pacy striker, Emegha has scored 12 goals 24 games this season to help Strasbourg to the cusp of a Champions League place. Now UEFA could hand West Ham a shock advantage over Chelsea for the exciting Dutch Under 21 striker.
Chelsea are looking to sign at least one new forward this summer too. But UEFA look set to block Chelsea from signing any Strasbourg players.
The Ligue 1 side – managed by ex Hammers hero Leroy Rosenior’s son Liam – are one point off a Champions League spot and have all the momentum going into the run-in.
Telegraph journalists Matt Law and John Percy have revealed that Chelsea will have to take drastic action to avoid sanctions including the threat of European expulsion if they and Emegha’s side both make the same UEFA competition.
Enzo Maresca’s side are fourth in the Premier League table so there is every chance that could happen.
If it does then BlueCo would have to pause their involvement in Strasbourg via a trust.
Chelsea and Strasbourg would then not be able to transfer players to one another or use a shared scouting database until the end date of the trust.
Strasbourg one point off fourth in Ligue 1. If they and Chelsea qualify for the same European competition, then BlueCo would have to pause their involvement in Strasbourg via a trust. Chelsea and Strasbourg would not be able to transfer players to one another or use a shared… https://t.co/i0vIBVbNS6
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) March 29, 2025
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The rules are so strict they are said to be putting English clubs off multi-club expansions given the threat of European expulsion or the need to reshuffle.
Macaualy and Potter will be dearly hoping Rosenior can do his dad’s old club West Ham a favour and finish the job.
If Chelsea and Strasbourg both end up at UEFA’s top table, it will clear the path for the Hammers to bring Emegha to the Premier League.
