West Ham United finds itself in an increasingly precarious position as the summer transfer window progresses, and the lack of significant activity at the club is beginning to raise serious concerns among both fans and pundits alike. The Irons’ summer transfer dealings have been modest at best, with the only noteworthy acquisition being the permanent signing of French defender Jean-Clair Todibo for £40 million. This move, which was made after activating his buy clause from a loan deal, ensures that Todibo will continue his tenure at the London Stadium, but beyond that, there has been little else in terms of fresh blood to bolster a squad that struggled last season. While Todibo has shown glimpses of his quality, it’s clear that much more is needed if West Ham is to avoid another season of underachievement.
Despite finishing the previous season with some European silverware, winning the UEFA Conference League, West Ham’s domestic form was far from impressive. The squad lacked depth and consistency, and key areas of the team were in desperate need of reinforcements. This has been further compounded by the uncertainty surrounding the futures of some players, most notably Niclas Fullkrug and Mohammed Kudus. Both players were signed with high hopes, yet neither has lived up to expectations in their first season at the club, which has led to speculation that both could be moved on in the current window.
Fullkrug’s situation has been particularly troubling. The German international arrived at West Ham following a stellar campaign in the Bundesliga, where he had proven himself as a reliable goal scorer for Werder Bremen. His £27 million transfer fee was seen as a shrewd piece of business, but his time at the London Stadium has been far from successful. While injuries have certainly played a role in limiting his impact, the reality is that Fullkrug has simply not delivered the type of performances expected of him. His transition to the Premier League has been difficult, and he has struggled to find his rhythm in a West Ham side that has lacked creativity and fluidity in attack.
As a result, West Ham now finds itself in a difficult position. According to reports from The Daily Mail on June 26, the club is prepared to cut their losses and allow Fullkrug to leave this summer. At 32 years old, it is unlikely that West Ham will recoup the £27 million they spent on the striker, especially given his lack of impact. However, the club will likely look to maximize whatever funds they can get from his departure, as the need to balance the books and reinvest in the squad grows ever more pressing.
The possible departure of Fullkrug adds to the growing sense of frustration around the club, particularly when considering the broader issues facing the team. West Ham has been linked with a number of players in recent weeks, but there has been little concrete action in terms of actual signings. The lack of progress in the transfer market has not only raised doubts about the club’s ambition but has also put manager Graham Potter in an increasingly difficult situation. Potter, who took over at West Ham after a turbulent spell at Chelsea, is yet to prove himself in charge of the Irons. While many see him as a manager with a promising tactical mind, he has yet to oversee a sustained period of success at the Premier League level. His time at Chelsea was marked by inconsistency, and his early tenure at West Ham has been similarly uncertain.
For Potter, the challenge is that without sufficient resources and player reinforcements, it’s hard to assess his true potential as a manager. Much like at Chelsea, his ability to implement his philosophy and build a coherent team is being stifled by a lack of squad depth. The absence of signings thus far is particularly concerning, as it suggests that the club is either unwilling or unable to address the glaring weaknesses in the squad. West Ham’s attack, in particular, looks one-dimensional, with little in the way of creativity or alternative options. If Fullkrug departs and no replacement is found, the club will be left short of attacking options, leaving Potter with few weapons at his disposal.
The situation is compounded by the uncertain future of another key player—Mohammed Kudus. The Ghanaian winger arrived at West Ham last summer with high expectations, but like Fullkrug, he has failed to make a significant impact. Kudus has shown flashes of his potential but has often struggled with consistency and adjusting to the demands of the Premier League. Reports suggest that West Ham is also willing to move on from Kudus this summer, which raises questions about the club’s scouting and recruitment strategy. Given the money spent on Fullkrug and Kudus, it would be a costly mistake if West Ham were to part ways with both players without receiving adequate compensation or making reinvestments in the squad.
Potter’s challenge, of course, goes beyond simply finding replacements for Fullkrug and Kudus. West Ham is in need of several key signings if they are to have any hope of pushing for a top-half finish next season. The team lacks the depth and quality to compete effectively with the top clubs in the Premier League, and the failure to strengthen the squad could leave them vulnerable to another disappointing campaign. The central midfield, in particular, looks weak, and the full-back positions could also benefit from reinforcements. With the transfer window still open, the hope is that West Ham will act swiftly to address these issues, but time is running out, and fans are becoming increasingly impatient.
The lack of transfer activity also points to a broader issue at West Ham—the club’s long-standing financial constraints and the lack of investment from ownership. The current owners, David Sullivan and David Gold, have been repeatedly criticized for their lack of ambition and for not committing enough resources to building a competitive team. While the club’s financial situation has improved somewhat in recent years, with the success in the Conference League and the sale of players like Declan Rice, there is still a sense that the owners are reluctant to make the necessary investment to push the team to the next level. This reluctance to spend big in the transfer market has left West Ham in a cycle of mediocrity, with a squad that is neither good enough to challenge for the upper echelons of the Premier League nor strong enough to avoid the threat of relegation.
The absence of new signings is also putting increasing pressure on Potter, who is already under scrutiny after a mixed start to his managerial career at West Ham. Without the necessary reinforcements, it’s difficult to see how he can turn things around. The lack of squad depth means that injuries and suspensions could severely hinder the team’s progress, and if key players like Jarrod Bowen or Tomas Soucek are sidelined, there are few players of comparable quality to step in.
What West Ham needs right now is clear: they need to make smart, strategic signings that can add depth and quality to the squad. The board must show more ambition and take decisive action in the transfer market. If they fail to do so, they risk allowing their current squad to stagnate and may find themselves fighting relegation rather than challenging for European spots. As for Graham Potter, he needs to be given the tools to succeed. A manager can only do so much with the resources at his disposal, and without the right players, it will be almost impossible for him to implement his vision for the team. Only time will tell if the club can turn things around, but if the summer transfer window passes without significant activity, it’s hard to see how West Ham can avoid another season of struggle.