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Our first pre-season game of the 2025/26 season against Zurich ended in a 3-1 victory for the Hammers, the goals coming through Andy Irving, Callum Marshall and Lucas Paqueta.

However, if you could look past the awful commentary alongside the utterly abysmal camera quality, you would've been able to see a rather intriguing game which showed improvements but also patterns that haven't changed whatsoever.

It was a slight difficulty to get the team-sheets done due to the fact we had two seperate lineups... which was announced before the game, the 'A' team was filled with the more senior players with the inclussion of the evergone Cornet, and the 'B' team had the majority of the returning youth players, such as Potts, Orford, Marshall as well as Diouf.

To kickstart with what we all knew already, the 'A' team midfield pairing of Guido Rodriguez as well as James Ward-Prowse were both completely run through, it was easy for Zurich to find gaps which subsequently gave them two clear-cut chances, but both wouldn't convert. But comparing 'A' to 'B' was light day and, the midfield of Potts and Orford as well as Soucek, seemed very comfortable and also could press forward more together with and without the ball, something of which we couldn't even be able to fathom under Guido and Prowse.

Our first goal was converted by Andy Irving, but the play between Bowen and Wan-Bissaka created the chance for the goal, a duo which we saw worked very well last season.

The second goal came through Callum Marshall with a lovely strike into the bottom-right corner just as the second half began. It seemed that we were able to create more chances in the 'B' team rather than the 'A'.

West Ham's latest confirmed signing in Malick Diouf, played the entirety of the second half and gave good impressions amongst fans. The Senegal international seemed to be everywhere on that left-hand side and constantly provided chances in the box either with a one-two or a cross.

He also very nearly grabbed himself a goal at the end, but a handball & clearance off the line meant that we got a penalty instead, which Lucas Paqueta converted to end the game at the finishing scoreline of 3-1.

Overall, a positive performance, but one that evidently shows that the Hammers require new midfielders in the remainder of the window. There will be more to come and more to learn with the Premier League summer series up in a week's time, but in the meantime, it's crucial that transfer business continues.

Team 'A': Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Scarles, Cornet, Rodriguez, Irving, Ward-Prowse, Bowen (C), Fullkrug
Team 'B': Foderingham, Mavropanos, Aguerd, Casey, Diouf, Potts, Orford, Soucek (C), Paqueta, Guilherme, Marshall

The Besiktas twist began around the early afternoon yesterday when it was shockingly announced that Kyle Walker-Peters' transfer to Turkey had suddenly been called off after a change of heart by Walker-Peters himself, and subsequently, Besiktas had to announce on their social media that he was not going to sign despite the deal being almost done.

It was then announced that two clubs had shown interest in the Premier League those two being West Ham and Everton. It was known before that Graham Potter wasn't the biggest fan of Walker-Peters, but these comments were made before Wan-Bissaka had decided to now represent Congo, which means he will be gone for AFCON this season, around December-January time, which played a factor in Potter changing his mind.

It was also believed that KWP wasn't initially happy with the gametime being offered, but after having conversations with Potter and further discussion about his role, he was sold and has now officially agreed to sign a three-year contract with the Hammers.

The medical for KWP will take place over the weekend, and then he will be putting pen to paper with an official announcement expected on Sunday or Monday.

He's a player that some might not be happy to get, but he fulfils the homegrown quota, he's had an enormous amount of Premier League experience, can play on both sides and is a fantastic player to have involved in the starting squad or to play for cup games and really it's hard to see how this could go wrong for West Ham and Potter.

More business is to come, and the future signing of KWP was not an opportunity that the club expected to arise, hence why the progression of the midfielder has taken a step back.

JWP, AWB, KWP, any more double-barrel names? Or at least ones that don't have a 'W' in the middle? Maybe that's the latest transfer strategy.

See the West Ham Live Scores and keep an eye out for our first pre-season friendly tomorrow at 14:00.

Graham Potter and Kyle Macaulay have started movin' and somehow got Sully grooving, after the negative of negative updates, it seems to have now ramped up to a degree where we've officially had a bid accepted at last for El Hadji Malick Diouf and he's officially waved goodbye to Slavia Prauge and said hello to the Hammers.

Whilst the deal has yet to be announced officially, he has officially completed his medical and is expected to be announced either today or tomorrow.

Despite Diouf being an excellent player, many other positions are primary and many others need our focus than where our first signing plays. It now seems that Potter has finally got a player that he's been longing for all window, and now the deal is almost done, our attention switches back to the midfielder positions.

Midfield and Liverpool duo Harvey Elliot and Tyler Morton are the two latest midfielders thrown into the equation. It is thought that Potter would prefer Elliot out of the two, but Liverpool are asking for either £40,000,000 with a buy-back clause or a straight £50,000,000, which doesn't contain a buy-back. Definitely, the club cannot afford Harvey Elliot at the moment, and if we were able to, it would require using the majority of our budget, which wouldn't be money well spent.

Tyler Morton, a younger Liverpool talent, has also been put under high consideration, with a similar player profile to Potts but provides a more attacking aspect to the game. Liverpool have put a £12-15,000,000 asking price, which all in all is a much more affordable option than Harvey Elliot.

Alongside the Liverpool duo, Southampton youngster, Mateus Fernandes, is also 'admired' by Graham Potter & Macaulay, meaning we've got a few options to choose from when it comes to the middle of the park, which we've so desperately been needing.

In regards to Sales, the exits have been quiet since the departure of Mohammed Kudus, but it is confirmed that the club have accepted a few bids for Emerson, but he has rejected all of which we've accepted due to the countries not being suitable to him. Emerson has expressed his interest in leaving the club this summer, which was known a few months ago, so I'd suggest keeping a close eye on that front.

And not to worry, if you get bored with Sully's business tactics, there's always other Premier League news

Yesterday, the departure of Mohammed Kudus was officially completed to Spurs, and it’s fair to say that the media was having a field day with it all.

The confirmed transfer fee is £54,500,000 however the add ons are currently unknown, the deal will be paid across 3 years, however, it’s confirmed that £5,450,000 of that transfer fee will go to Ajax due to a 10% Sell on clause, but the remainder of the money all will go to Potter & Macaulay this window.

In addition to the Kudus sale, Guido Rodriguez seems to be the next nearest player to leave. The Argentine is set for a move to Mexico with two clubs having interest, those of which being Tigres & Club America and supposedly a €2,000,000 bid from Tigres has already been accepted. For sure, in this instance, it’s a clear and obvious decision that Potter has to make. Selling Guido not only gives us a small sum, but it’s someone off the wage bill who was earning far too much for what was being provided.

A replacement for Rodriguez isn’t too necessary with Freddie Potts returning, and Potter has confirmed his intention to utilise him for the upcoming season. Potts also has spoken out upon his return to West Ham, saying: “My return has come at a perfect time. It means a lot to be back here because I’m a massive fan and it’s always been my dream to play for West Ham.”

A young, hungry player who wants to fight for the badge… what else could we ask for! It’s exactly what the club is desperate to have.

It is also important to note that after seeing the outrage of officially confirming that Kudus had been sold, Sully decided to put fuel on the fire and make his comments public, saying “We know the fans are unhappy, but how many fans, if they ran West Ham and had £54.5m to spend, would spend it buying Mohammed Kudus? Hopefully, the money is used to improve the team. All money will be used to bring in new players.” \

He’s spoken his piece, Hammers fans will have to see if it lives to be true.