A report last week claimed that West Ham United were ‘a long way off’ finalising a deal for one of Liverpool’s fringe players.
Now, with Fabrizio Romano insisting that one of the Hammers’ rival suitors are closing in, a late-summer switch from Merseyside to East London suddenly feels even further away.
It is no secret that West Ham United are big admirers of Harvey Elliott.
Despite the Premier League winner’s medal which now shines brightly amongst his personal collection of prizes, Elliott is keen to leave Liverpool in favour of more regular minutes. Having started only twice in the top-flight last season, his role in Arne Slot’s title triumph was, therefore, akin to that of an extra cast into the shadows of an Oscar-winning picture.
A source close to the London Stadium boardroom informed Hammers News that West Ham have a ‘small chance’ of landing Harvey Elliott before the September deadline.
A small chance is still a chance, of course.
When it comes to another midfielder tired of waiting for opportunities which looked destined never to arrive – Tyler Morton is stuck behind Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones – it appears that a bid of £15 million will do the trick.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty ImagesWest Ham United miss out as Lyon near Liverpool’s Tyler Morton
According to the Daily Mail, West Ham ‘would love’ to sign both Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton.
But, while the Hammers realistically need to raise more funds via sales before they can meet Elliott’s £40 million price-tag, the more affordable Morton is opting for a completely new challenge outside of English borders.
“Olympique Lyon [are] closing in on Tyler Morton deal with Liverpool for £15m transfer fee,” Fabrizio Romano wrote on his official X account on Friday afternoon.
“Negotiations at final stages.”
According to reports, Morton agreed personal terms with Lyon earlier in the week.
Les Gones, who will be playing Ligue 1 football again next season after their relegation for financial reasons was overturned, shifted their focus to Morton after failing to agree a fee with Nice for Pierre Lees-Melou.
A 22-year-old with thirteen appearances for England at Under-21 level, Morton impressed during loan spells at Hull City and Blackburn Rovers. He did not make even a single appearance in the Premier League under Arne Slot, however.
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty ImagesShea Charles tipped for stardom as Hammers eye Southampton wonderkid
While top target Raphael Onyedika is in no rush to leave Club Brugge, and while Morton is on his way to France, West Ham still have plenty of other options in mind.
Hammers News understands that Aston Villa want £50 million-plus for Jacob Ramsey, however. One EFL expert thinks Southampton will command a similarly huge fee for Shea Charles a year or two down the line, too.
Former Manchester City kid Charles, alongside Saints teammate Mateus Fernandes, is another athletic, ball-carrying midfielder on Potter’s radar.
“I think he’ll be the standout central midfielder in the Championship this season,” Football League pundit Ali Maxwell said on the Not The Top 20 podcast.
“I’m actually so bullish on Shea Charles that, without wanting to over exaggerate, I would say he’s one, maybe two seasons away from being considered a £50 – £60 million player.
“He is a player with so few weaknesses. When it comes to interceptions, key passes, tackles… He covers so much ground. He’s physically impeccable for a 21-year-old. And, on the ball as well, just divine.
“So, as you can tell, I am pretty up for seeing Shea Charles play for Southampton!”