West Ham United may have stolen a march on Leeds United in the race to sign a free agent that had reportedly been keen to hear from Daniel Farke’s side this summer.
Graham Potter’s side and Leeds are expected to be big rivals next summer with the Hammers enduring a dismal 2024-25 campaign. The Hammers hovered above the league’s drop zone for much of last season.
They ended up finishing in 14th, but for long periods it looked like it might be a 16th or 17th-placed finish. Potter will be hoping for different outcome next season and has made three defensive signings.
Potter is now looking to bring in attacking reinforcements having waved goodbye to Danny Ings and Evan Ferguson, the latter joining Roma. West Ham have identified a striker strongly linked with a Leeds move.
West Ham table offer for striker hoping for Leeds United offer
According to TalkSPORT, West Ham have offered former England international Callum Wilson a contract. The player’s agent had spoken to the Hammers about a move to London, and West Ham have responded.
Potter’s side have offered Wilson a ‘minimal’ deal that includes bonuses for goals and appearances. It is unclear if he is keen on the deal, but it is similar to what he was offered by Newcastle, which he rejected.
It comes after reports over the weekend said Wilson had been ‘hoping’ to receive an offer from Leeds this summer. It was claimed that Wilson would be open to moving to Elland Road on a pay-as-you-play deal.
West Ham could end up signing a third Leeds United target
Two of West Ham’s three signings have been on Leeds’ shortlist this summer. Jean-Clair Todibo was signed permanently after his loan at West Ham before the Hammers signed two stars linked with Leeds.
The first, a £21.6m deal for El Hadji Malick Diouf. Leeds had been linked with Diouf, who impressed for Senegal in a 3-1 win over England at the City Ground in June alongside Sunderland star Habib Diarra.
The other, announced in the last few days, is Kyle Walker-Peters. Also an England international like Wilson, Walker-Peters was a free agent and linked with Leeds but after ignoring Besiktas, he’s joined West Ham.
Now, West Ham could sign a third player linked with Leeds this summer in the form of Wilson. Leeds may have become more interested in Wilson after Mateo Joseph informed Daniel Farke he wants to leave.
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