‘West Ham’s summer transfer priority’ revealed as ‘Wan-Bissaka decision made’
West Ham are prioritising a move to sign a new left-back in the summer amid ongoing concerns about Emerson Palmieri, according to their former scout.
Mick Brown, who worked as a senior scout at the London Stadium until leaving alongside David Moyes and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that the club have already begun looking at options.
Brown told Football Insider in November that questions had been asked behind the scenes about Emerson’s performances and replacements have been assessed by West Ham’s recruitment team.
However, other positions took priority in the January transfer window and the plans to sign a new left-back have been pushed back to the summer as a result.
Following the end of the mid-season window, the club are now putting plans in place to improve Graham Potter’s squad in the summer.
Meanwhile, Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s performances since joining from Man United have eased concerns at right-back and will allow them to focus their recruitment efforts elsewhere.
West Ham work on deal to sign new left-back as Aaron Wan-Bissaka plan revealed
Brown previously told Football Insider that the Hammers are prepared to let Vladimir Coufal move on at the end of the season and bring in a replacement.
Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted they will prioritise strengthening at left-back before looking for a right-back.
“They’ve brought in Wan-Bissaka who has done exceptionally well for them,” he told Football Insider.
“So their priority is on the other side, at left-back.
“I know they’re not 100% sold on Emerson, there have been concerns about his performances.
“Because of that, Wan-Bissaka has sometimes been forced to move over and play at left-back.
“They’re looking to bring in a new left-back to solve that problem.
“In terms of targets, I’m not sure, but I know it’s a position they’ve been looking at since before January, even though their focus was elsewhere in the window.
“I’d expect that to be a position they look to address in the summer.”
In other news, West Ham to make Vladimir Coufal contract decision.
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