“West Ham DESPERATE to Splash £25.5M on PL Star Who Left Graham Potter SPEECHLESS in 2022 – You Won’t Believe Who!”

Graham Potter’s tenure at West Ham has seen mixed results so far, including a disappointing loan move for Evan Ferguson, the striker he previously handed a senior debut to at Brighton.

Despite this setback, Potter remains committed to reuniting with familiar faces from his past, and is now targeting another former player from his time at Chelsea.

West Ham in pursuit of Omari Hutchinson

Potter, working closely with the club’s recruitment team and board, is intent on strengthening West Ham’s squad with genuine quality.

Last summer’s £120 million spending spree failed to deliver results, as the Hammers languish in 17th place near the end of the Premier League season.

Their position outside the relegation zone is more a reflection of the promoted clubs’ struggles than their own strength.

Ipswich Town, already relegated, sit at just 22 points, highlighting how fine the margins have been.

While attention around Ipswich’s potential sales focuses on Liam Delap and his £30 million release clause, Potter has turned his attention to winger Omari Hutchinson, with reports linking the 21-year-old to West Ham (CaughtOffside, 4 May).

Potter previously coached Hutchinson during his time at Chelsea and was full of praise for the youngster in the 2022–23 campaign, calling him a “dangerous” player who consistently “showed his quality” (Evening Standard, 12 December 2022).

Hutchinson has recorded five Premier League goal contributions this season under Kieran McKenna at Ipswich, and the club reportedly wants more than £25.5 million for his services.

Pressure mounting for Potter

Potter, long regarded as a manager of tactical and developmental quality, has yet to fully assert his influence at West Ham.

Having rejected several opportunities after his departure from Chelsea, he was convinced by the project in East London.

However, the current season has been underwhelming at best.

With the summer transfer window looming, Potter is expected to take full control of recruitment decisions.

Once his imprint is firmly established on the squad, he’ll face clearer judgment from fans and the board alike.

Despite needing to stay within Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR), West Ham are still expected to be active in the market.

Their aim is to revitalize their European aspirations and move beyond another season of disappointment.

In the meantime, West Ham prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (4 May), another Premier League side that’s endured a tough domestic campaign, with their Europa League semi-final run offering the only silver lining.