“West Ham’s DESPERATE Last-Ditch Bid to Sign TROUBLEMAKING Bad Boy Duo DUMPED for SHOCKING Disciplinary Disasters!”

With just a week left before the summer transfer window closes, West Ham find themselves in crisis mode.

Early-season results have confirmed the fears of pundits who tipped the Hammers as relegation candidates, with a 3-0 defeat to newly-promoted Sunderland followed by a 5-1 hammering at home to Chelsea.

Two games in, Graham Potter’s side already look among the weakest in the Premier League.

Much of their struggle stems from a poor transfer window. What should have been one of West Ham’s strongest recruitment periods has instead left them desperately short in key areas.

Despite FIFA extending the market due to the new Club World Cup, the club has failed to capitalise.

With David Sullivan effectively acting as director of football, Kyle Macaulay leading recruitment, and Potter promising an “exciting summer” based around young, ambitious players, the outcome has been underwhelming.

Nine senior players have already departed, with two more exits imminent, leaving the squad threadbare. Only four signings have come in, just two of whom – El Hadji Malick Diouf and Mads Hermansen – were recruited for the starting XI.

Midfield remains the most glaring weakness after the departures of Edson Alvarez, Guido Rodriguez, and soon Andy Irving. Reinforcements are also badly needed in attack and defence.

In their desperation, West Ham have turned to two high-profile outcasts. Reports in France suggest the club has approached Adrien Rabiot after Marseille transfer-listed him following a bust-up with Jonathan Rowe.

At 30, the French international does not fit Potter’s profile of young, sellable talent, yet Villa are also said to be interested.

Meanwhile, journalist Pete O’Rourke claims West Ham have revived their interest in Tottenham’s Yves Bissouma, who previously worked under Potter at Brighton.

The 28-year-old Mali midfielder has been frozen out by Spurs boss Thomas Frank due to persistent lateness.

The move would be ironic given Potter recently had to discipline Emerson Palmieri for the same issue.

Both potential signings – with a combined age of 58 – represent a significant departure from West Ham’s stated recruitment strategy. Yet they are seen as major upgrades on current options, highlighting the club’s plight.

Club insider Sean Whetstone reports that the board, frustrated by failed attempts to land Potter and Macaulay’s top targets, are now taking a more hands-on approach. Deals for Rabiot and Bissouma bear all the hallmarks of Sullivan-led interventions.

Should West Ham fail to secure either player, they risk being left with no viable alternatives except a move for long-linked free agent Josh Brownhill.

For a team already struggling with morale, discipline, and results, the closing days of the window could define whether Potter has a fighting chance of keeping them in the Premier League.