West Ham’s Best January Move Was Avoiding a £30m Deal for 23-Year-Old – Opinion
West Ham United Fans Were Desperate for More January Signings.
Graham Potter faces a significant challenge at West Ham, and he knows it.
The 49-year-old manager is reportedly planning a major squad overhaul at the London Stadium this summer.
However, making rushed signings in January would have only depleted his budget for the upcoming window.
In my view, the best approach for the winter transfer period was securing Evan Ferguson on loan and welcoming back James Ward-Prowse. That was smart business.
Given the scale of changes expected in the summer, with at least six or seven new arrivals anticipated, it was crucial for Potter to hold back and not overspend in January.
The upcoming transfer window is critical for the Hammers, and any missteps could set the club back significantly.
Fortunately, West Ham’s most significant success in January wasn’t an actual signing—it was avoiding one.
West Ham’s Biggest January Victory Was Not Signing a Striker
Over the years, Hammers fans have often criticized David Sullivan for his reluctance to spend in the January transfer window.
While some of that criticism has been fair, this time, the club made the right call.
In fact, I believe the biggest win of the window was steering clear of one particular deal.
West Ham were heavily linked with Ajax striker Brian Brobbey throughout January, and for a time, it seemed like the transfer was close to completion.
However, when Ajax raised their asking price to £30 million, the Hammers wisely backed out.
Brobbey isn’t a bad player by any means, and he might have been a decent addition. But spending that kind of money on him would have been a significant gamble.
In the end, Potter made the correct decision by walking away from the deal.
West Ham Can Aim Higher Than Brian Brobbey
To be clear, Brobbey is a talented striker. He netted 18 goals in 30 Eredivisie matches for Ajax last season, which is an impressive tally.
However, this season, his form has dipped dramatically, managing just four goals across all competitions.
While he possesses decent speed, his bulky frame makes it difficult for him to operate effectively in tight spaces.
If West Ham truly want to push forward under Potter, they need a striker who fits his system—a more complete forward who can either partner with Evan Ferguson, should the Irishman sign permanently, or lead the line independently.
Jhon Duran would have been an ideal option, but that opportunity has passed.
Now, Potter must focus on bringing in a forward who perfectly suits his style of play.
Had West Ham caved in during January and spent £30 million on Brobbey, it would have significantly limited their ability to secure a top-tier striker in the summer.
That’s why I firmly believe that missing out on the young Dutch forward was, in fact, the biggest success of West Ham’s winter transfer window.
By keeping their financial resources intact, the Hammers have positioned themselves well to make smarter, more impactful signings in the summer—ones that can truly elevate the team under Potter’s leadership.
