Tim Steidten may have been 'burning the book at both candles' with his globe trotting private jet exploits, but even he cannot make something from nothing! So talks of him 'slinging in' vast bids for players are entirely unsubstantiated due to the fact that the kitty is nearly empty.
ALL the Declan Rice money has been used up, as has virtually ALL the Gianluca Scamacca money, so any trading now will be based on money brought in by players leaving or loan deals. Hugo Ekitiké of PSG is one such 'realistic' target, the French club would ideally prefer to sell the player straight off, but may be tempted into a loan to buy deal similar to the one that saw Alphonse Areola join Hammers from the Ligue 1 perennial champions.
Ekitiké is unproven at senior level so a loan to buy deal could suit Hammers perfectly and might well suit PSG as the player could return at an increased value should he have a successful time in the Premier League, as it is he looks highly unlikely to get much game time in France and at 21 years of age he would surely rather be playing than bench warming.
Unfortunately the 'hard sell' for acquiring the player is how much game time he would receive under the managership of David Moyes who is legendarily cautious when it comes to introducing strikers, his cautious approach might put the mockers on this one!
With under three days to go before the window closes there WILL be a final push to get a couple of deals over the line, expect the 'Steid' plane to be zig zagging continents as the fast becoming cult hero weaves his magic. - Ed