Steidten eyeing West Ham move for once-£75m ace as club negotiate his exit

West Ham United technical director Tim Steidten is reportedly eyeing up a move for a player who once commanded £75 million, and the Hammers are joined by illustrious clubs in the race for his signature.

West Ham making January transfer plans amid Lopetegui pressure

Manager Julen Lopetegui briefly eased the pressure on his shoulders with a 4-1 win over newly-promoted Ipswich Town recently, but calls for his potential removal intensified yet again when the Hammers followed that up with a dismal defeat away to Tottenham.

£100k-per-week West Ham attacker could now be sold by Lopetegui in January

A “fresh start” for the player is apparently possible.

By
Emilio Galantini

Oct 25, 2024

The Spaniard has won just three games in all competitions so far – going on from late August to October without a single victory at one point – and reports suggest Lopetegui is already facing a review by West Ham if results continue in this manner.

West Ham prepare to take on Manchester United at the London Stadium this weekend, with Erik ten Hag also under pressure in the Red Devils dugout as both tacticians collide in a bid to save their respective jobs.

Lopetegui certainly hasn’t been helped by the absence of summer striker signing Niclas Fullkrug. The Germany international bagged 16 goals in all competitions for Borussia Dortmund last season, prompting David Sullivan to invest £27 million on him, but Fullkrug is currently back in his homeland attempting to recover from a persistent Achilles tendon injury.

There are even suggestions that West Ham may decide to sell Fullkrug in January, as Lopetegui demands the West Ham hierarchy to sign another forward mid-season.

West Ham eyeing Richard Rios as Palmeiras negotiate exit

According to South American news outlet Hoy Diario del Magdalena, via Sport Witness, West Ham are targeting Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios.

The Colombia international is also being chased by PSG and AC Milan, so elite clubs are seriously taking note of his performances on the continent, so much so that a price tag of £75 million was once mentioned.

However, that price has reduced significantly, with £12.5 million now seen as a realistic figure to strike a deal for Rios after a £62.5 million price drop. The 24-year-old has made 42 appearances in all competitions in 2024, scoring three goals and assisting four others, whilst playing 2,730 minutes.

Rios is a mainstay for Palmeiras and can play in both defensive midfield and further forward as a traditional central midfield player, but it is believed that his club are “negotiating the departure” of him.