“SHOCKING LEAK! West Ham’s New Star SPILLS SECRETS: Mega Star DITCHING Club After EXPLOSIVE Graham Potter Showdown!”

Mads Hermansen is set to become West Ham United’s fourth summer signing, joining the club after El Hadji Malick Diouf, Kyle Walker-Peters, and Callum Wilson.

The £18 million deal for the Danish goalkeeper marks another important addition for Graham Potter, but the West Ham boss is not done yet.

Potter is keen to add at least one, possibly two, new midfielders and a young forward before the transfer window closes.

Ideally, he would also like to bring in a centre-back, although that move would depend on whether Nayef Aguerd or Konstantinos Mavropanos departs.

With Hermansen’s arrival confirmed, West Ham’s next focus is trimming the squad.

The board has made it clear that “fringe players” will be moved on to help balance the books, especially given the club’s public acknowledgement of its PSR and financial pressures.

Speculation continues that another high-profile player could be sold, with Lucas Paquetá’s name often mentioned.

Newcastle are reportedly interested, and while a sale would require a £60–70 million fee, the idea is not far-fetched. Paquetá was close to joining Manchester City two years ago before spot-fixing allegations disrupted the move.

Still, Potter has several players who could be offloaded first to raise funds. Aguerd or Mavropanos could be sold if attractive offers come in.

Other names linked with exits include Andy Irving, Guido Rodríguez, Maxwel Cornet, Edson Álvarez, and Tomáš Souček.

Emerson Palmieri’s future also appears to lie away from the London Stadium. Since Potter’s arrival, the Brazilian-born Italian has been on the periphery.

He was replaced by academy prospect Ollie Scarles in Potter’s first game in charge and was substituted in every match he started under the manager last season.

Recently turned 31, Emerson was left out of West Ham’s pre-season tour of the United States and told he could find a new club.

Interest in the £13.5 million signing has emerged from his former team Santos in Brazil, as well as clubs in Italy and Turkey.

However, he has been spotted training at Rush Green ahead of the new season, sparking rumours of a possible stay.

Those rumours, though, appear unfounded if Kyle Walker-Peters’ comments are anything to go by.

The versatile full-back, who arrived on a free transfer from Southampton, revealed details of his “brilliant chats” with Potter, which included clarity on who the manager’s four full-backs for the season will be – and Emerson was not among them.

Walker-Peters brings significant versatility, able to play both right and left sides in full-back or wing-back roles.

His signing is seen as shrewd business, especially with both Wan-Bissaka and Diouf set to miss up to five weeks in January due to African Cup of Nations duties.

When discussing his decision to join West Ham, Walker-Peters highlighted his desire for strong competition for places.

He namechecked Wan-Bissaka, Diouf, and Scarles as the other full-backs in the squad – notably excluding Emerson – suggesting the squad already knows the Italian international’s time at the club is ending.

“I wanted strong competition for places, which there is here with the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, El Hadji Malick Diouf, and Ollie Scarles,” Walker-Peters told the club’s official website.

“I always think it’s important to have someone pushing you, and if we want to win trophies – like the UEFA Conference League a couple of years ago – you need that.

“I’ve had some great chats with the manager, who’s made things really easy for me and been understanding about me getting back up to match fitness. Everything’s looking positive for the new season.”

Potter’s plan for the defence is clear: Walker-Peters, Wan-Bissaka, Diouf, and Scarles will be the four full-backs.

Emerson’s omission underlines the likelihood of his departure before the window shuts.

West Ham are believed to be seeking £5–7 million from any sale of Emerson, which would provide additional funds for the reinforcements Potter wants.

The club is expected to remain active in the market, with a midfielder next on the priority list and further moves possible if outgoings materialise.

For now, the squad continues its preparations for the new season with a clearer picture emerging of who will be part of Potter’s plans – and who will not.