In truth the Hammers have made a mess of the middle of the park since selling Declan Rice<\/a> to Arsenal for \u00a3105m two years ago.<\/p>\n Replacing a generational talent like Rice was always going to be near impossible for West Ham.<\/p>\n All the dynamism, athleticism, class and personality he brought to the Hammers midfield, Rice transferred seamlessly over to his performances for the Gunners.<\/p>\n West Ham failed miserably to replace the attributes Rice brought their team, particularly pace, power and energy.<\/p>\n Potter wants to change that now and is being linked with a host of younger midfielder talents who are mobile and offer something different to the ageing collection of players that need serious renovation.<\/p>\n West Ham need a midfield reboot like Arsenal<\/p>\n Arsenal have strengthened their central midfield with the signings of Martin Zubimendi and Christian N\u00f8rgaard.<\/p>\n Mikel Arteta<\/a> had to after the departure of Thomas Partey.<\/p>\n The Hammers want to offload players such as Guido Rodriguez and Edson Alvarez.<\/p>\n Potter is keen to bring in at least two new midfielders with talks ongoing for Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton.<\/p>\n Southampton\u2019s Mateus Fernandes is said to be a player of interest to the Hammers while the likes of James McAtee have been linked too.<\/p>\n Those players all fit Potter and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay\u2019s<\/a> stated vision for West Ham.<\/p>\n Like Arteta has built at Arsenal \u2013 and most other Premier League managers look to do \u2013 Potter wants a younger, more dynamic squad.<\/p>\n So a new link emerging this week has raised some serious eyebrows.<\/p>\n Now West Ham have reacted to a shock claim they want to bring an Arsenal favourite back to London amid transfer policy confusion.<\/p>\n Towards the end of last season Potter insisted he is not ageist but admitted his plan was to drastically lower the average age of the Premier League\u2019s<\/a> oldest squad.<\/p>\n Most players West Ham are being linked with this summer range between 20 and 25 in age.<\/p>\n West Ham react to shock claim they want Arsenal favourite<\/p>\n Potter\u2019s first capture El Hadji Malick Diouf is Senegal\u2019s starting left-back aged just 20.<\/p>\n Diouf is the perfect example of Potter and Macaulay\u2019s recruitment philosophy.<\/p>\n So a claim from Germany has taken everyone by surprise.<\/p>\n Because Rheinische Post (21 July, page C4)<\/a> is reporting that West Ham have suddenly thrown their hat in the ring along with Sunderland for ex Arsenal star Granit Xhaka<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Swiss international is 32 now and has been playing in the vastly inferior and slower-paced Bundesliga since leaving the Gunners.<\/p>\n Last week, former West Ham technical director Tim Steidten<\/a> named Xhaka as the key signing who elevated Bayer Leverkusen to the next level.<\/p>\n \u201cGranit Xhaka was , in my opinion, the most important player for the project in Leverkusen and the composition of the team,\u201d Steidten told Transfermarkt<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cHe only arrived in the fourth year and created this balance. Only then did the picture make sense. Such a picture has to be drawn slowly; it takes a certain amount of time and requires excellent teamwork across the entire club.\u201d<\/p>\n Hammers fans have been promised the next level for years now.<\/p>\n But would Xhaka really be the man to make that kind of impact now? Especially in the Premier League.<\/p>\n Xhaka being a West Ham target completely jars with everything Potter and Macaulay stand for in terms of recruitment.<\/p>\n After all it was only a few weeks ago Potter was stating he wants signings who can hold a future resale value for West Ham if he can get them.<\/p>\n West Ham board react to shock Xhaka rumours<\/p>\n Xhaka certainly won\u2019t be that man as he turns 33 next season.<\/p>\n![\"West](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-2217002881-1024x658.jpg\")
Photo by Richard Pelham\/Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Bayer](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-2148359778-1024x598.jpg\")
Photo by Alexander Scheuber \u2013 UEFA\/UEFA via Getty ImagesXhaka link causes confusion over West Ham transfer policy<\/p>\n