One Cummings and many goings at West Ham

Well, not much has happened on the rebuilding front so far this summer. The only signing has been 19-year old striker Daniel Cummings from Celtic. He made his senior Celtic debut as a sub against Aston Villa in the Champions League, but is probably one for the Under-21 side this season. Graham Potter has a record of giving youngsters a chance, so perhaps Cummings might be one for the future along with returning loanees George Earthy, Callum Marshall (who scored nine times for Huddersfield last season) and Freddie Potts.

The squad is certainly looking thin with the departures of Cresswell, Ings, Coufal, Fabianski, Zouma, Soler, Ferguson and it seems Antonio. Much seems to depend on selling Mohammed Kudus to free up some cash. Tottenham have had a £50m bid knocked back but if it's upped to £60m plus then he will surely go. It would be nice to sell Mo to anyone but Spurs, though Chelsea seem to have lost interest. 

The fact is Kudus started brilliantly in 2023-24 but then had a poor season last time round and never seemed to recover from that five-game suspension after being stupidly sent off at Spurs. He tried to take on too many players at times and only scored five goals. Mo's undoubtedly talented but his best position is on the right wing where Jarrod Bowen plays. If WHU can get a good price then it makes sense to sell a player who looks like his ambition lies elsewhere.

The best other options for raising cash might be if Emerson or Nayef Aguerd are  sold, though Potter reportedly likes Aguerd and I'd be happy to see him stay. He might have a mistake in him at times, but they're fewer than Dinos makes. Edson Alvarez might also leave, though having just captained and scored for Mexico as they won the CONCACAF Gold Cup you do wonder, like Sgt Wilson, if that's awfully wise.

We thought we'd won the transfer window last summer so let's remember that early signings don't always work out. Though there has to be hope that in their second seasons we'll see improvements from Kilman, Todibo, Summerville and, if he stays, Fullkrug. What is essential is that Potter and co have clear targets once the Kudus money comes in. It may all go down to deadline day, so let's hope Karren Brady has stocked up on her fax paper from Ryman's.