Pete O’Rourke column: One of Moyes top three targets now set to join West Ham, Leeds want Man City ace, £45m price tag could now block Tottenham deal

Mon 7 August 2023 6:50, UK

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WEST HAM

Fans are worried about the lack of signings at the London Stadium – and that has just heightened the tension between David Moyes and director of football Tim Steidten.

Midfield and centre-back are the priorities for West Ham, and Moyes has highlighted a trio of James Ward-Prowse, Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire as his top targets.

However, Steidten would like to move for younger players such as Ajax’s Edson Alvarez and Monaco ace Youssouf Fofana as they would provide more resale value in the future.

I’m told there is a clash between manager and director, and as such there has been limited transfer activity this summer.

Sources say Ward-Prowse is the most likely of the three Moyes targets with West Ham the only club interested in his services – and the player himself keen to join.

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The Irons will put pressure on Southampton to do a deal at around the £30million mark.

MAN UNITED

The Red Devils won’t push Maguire and McTominay out of the door this summer – but will consider parting with the duo for the right fee.

Any sales would allow Erik ten Hag to further strengthen his squad as he eyes more signings in midfield.

However, he is open to handing both players a first-team role this season if the right offer doesn’t arrive.

The players themselves could choose to push for an exit, though, with the European Championships in Germany less than 12 months away.

As already mentioned, West Ham are keen on the duo – and it will likely take fees of £30million to prise each player away from Old Trafford.

LEEDS UNITED

The Whites are monitoring the situation of Coventry star Gus Hamer.

He was in great form for the Sky Blues last season and is now entering the final year of his contract.

I’m told talks have been held over a potential renewal but an agreement is still some way off.

Premier League clubs are also interested, with Burnley seeing a player-plus-cash offer for his services rejected earlier in the window.

Coventry are reluctant to sell, even if they lose Hamer for free in 2024, as they target another promotion push this season.

The Sky Blues got top dollar for Viktor Gyokeres and would hold out for another eight-figure fee if they are to sell – with a bid well in excess £12million likely to test their resolve.

Meanwhile, I’m told Leeds have made a centre-back signing a huge priority.

Liverpool’s Nat Phillips and Man City ace Taylor Harwood-Bellis are potential targets.

Both are unlikely to play at their current clubs and Leeds are hoping to tempt one of them to Elland Road for a promotion push.

The number ten role has also been earmarked as an area of interest with Daniel Farke expecting to lose Wilfried Gnonto and Crysensio Summerville by next month’s deadline.

Farke’s side are also actively working on a striker signing but will need to raise transfer funds before pulling the trigger.

TOTTENHAM

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is set for a surprise exit to Atletico Madrid despite being a top performer under Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho.

Ange Postecoglou will now search for the right replacement, and I’m told he will look to secure an alternative before letting Hojbjerg leave.

Spurs looked at Barcelona’s Franck Kessie – but he is set to finalise a move to the Saudi Pro League.

Hojbjerg is likely to cost Atleti in excess of £25million, sources say.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are set to move for another centre-back signing – despite wrapping up deals for Ashley Phillips and Micky van de Ven.

I’m told Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen is the top target, but his £45million price tag is proving prohibitive at the moment.

MAN CITY

It is a surprise to see Joao Cancelo still at the Etihad Stadium as the new season approaches.

City want to sell the right-back this summer as he is unlikely to win over manager Pep Guardiola following their high-profile fall-out.

Cancelo himself is interested in a move away from the treble-winners – if the right option arises.

Barcelona are leading the race but questions remain over the state of their finances, even after selling Ousmane Dembele to Paris Saint-Germain.

Pep Guardiola would love to strengthen at right-back if Cancelo is to leave, and Bayern Munich star Benjamin Pavard is a concrete target for the Spaniard.

I’m also told Man City are desperately trying to convince Kyle Walker to stay as Bayern continue to court him.