West Ham United haven’t yet made much headway in the transfer window this summer. So far, Graham Potter has only made two signings, with Jean-Clair Todibo joining permanently after his loan spell.
With less than three weeks until the club’s first Premier League match of the season, Potter must act swiftly to bring in a few bodies to bolster his squad.
The attacking department is a primary concern. Niclas Fullkrug is the only senior centre-forward at the club, meaning West Ham have work to do still.
West Ham's search for a forward
One player who looks like he is close to signing is Callum Wilson. The former Newcastle United striker is available on a free transfer after departing the Magpies and could be a solid option.
Reports suggest he has already agreed terms with West Ham, although he is 33, and it likely won’t be a long contract. A younger option could be just what the Hammers require.
According to Football Insider, the Irons have also made an enquiry about Idrissa Gueye regarding a potential summer swoop.
The Metz starlet is only 18, but has plenty of clubs such as Liverpool, Brighton, Sunderland and Crystal Palace swarming around him.
French news outlet L’Equipe claim that a fee of £17m will be enough to secure his signature this summer.
This should be a move Potter is all over, especially as Gueye could be an instant upgrade on Wilson.
Why West Ham United want to sign Idrissa Gueye
There is no doubt that Wilson is a proven Premier League goalscorer, having netted 88 goals in the competition across 239 games for Newcastle and Bournemouth.
The caveat, however, is that his injury record is notoriously poor. During his five-season spell with Newcastle, he made 130 appearances in all competitions.
He missed 114 matches due to various injury setbacks, hampering any chance of consistency during his time on Tyneside.
Gueye, meanwhile, has already racked up 22 senior appearances during the early stages of his career thus far, while securing his first cap for Senegal.
Recording five goals and an assist in Ligue 2 last season proved that he can shine at that level, no doubt about that.
Goals
5
Assists
1
Big chances created
1
Total duels won per game
4.6
Shots per game
1.9
Successful dribbles per game
0.3
Via Sofascore
Hailed alongside several other Senegal starlets as “an exciting crop of talents” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Gueye has the potential to reach the very top of the game.
The striker scored every 188 minutes for Metz in the second tier, while finishing the season with an impressive 19% goal conversion percentage.
He also missed five big chances, suggesting his final total would have been higher if the youngster were more clinical in the final third.
This will come with experience, however, and a move to West Ham will allow him to secure game time in the Premier League.
Wilson, should he stay fit, will score goals for the Irons. But his wages will be high, and there is no guarantee he will be 100% fit for every game.
Gueye, on the other hand, has a raw unpredictability about him. If given chances, he could explode onto the scene for West Ham this season.
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1 ByDominic LundJul 28, 2025