Julen Lopetegui and Tim Steidten have lined up a rapid Lucas Paqueta replacement for West Ham but Spurs are also in the mix.
West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur fans are used to seeing their best players leave down the years.
From Dimitri Payet, Marko Arnautovic and Declan Rice to Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Harry Kane.
Every player has their price and neither West Ham or Tottenham sit at the top of the football food chain.
Spurs and the Hammers both look set for busy summer transfer windows.
West Ham are set to appoint Julen Lopetegui as their new manager. Together with Hammers technical director Tim Steidten, a big rebuild is needed with as many as 10 signings required.
Meanwhile at Spurs, Ange Postecoglou has now demanded big changes to the squad after seeing their season – much like West Ham’s – disappointingly peter out.
Brazilians shipped out at West Ham and Spurs?
Postecoglou is said to already know which players he wants to ship out of Tottenham with Richarlison being one according to the likes of The Telegraph.
West Ham’s own Brazilian Lucas Paqueta could follow his Selecao teammate in being sold this summer too.
Paqueta has been heavily linked with a move to Man City at his £85m release clause. David Moyes confirmed at the weekend that the collapse of Paqueta’s move to Man City scuppered a deal he had in place to sign Cole Palmer.
While Tottenham may struggle to find takers for inconsistent Richarlison, Lopetegui faces having to replace a player who, on his day, is among the best in the Premier League.
Now it seems the Hammers have a plan in motion – but Tottenham are lurking too.
Lopetegui and Steidten line up rapid Paqueta replacement
That’s as Lopetegui and Steidten line up a rapid Paqueta replacement for West Ham but Spurs are in the mix.
The London rivals are reportedly battling one another for jet-heeled winger Armand Lauriente.
That’s according to Italian radio journalist Mirko Di Natale.
Sassuolo attacker Lauriente plays off the left but can also operate as a forward. He is renowned for his blistering pace, a key commodity in the Premier League.
Di Natale says West Ham and Tottenham are vying for the 25-year-old’s signature along with Juventus and a Ligue 1 side.
He states both clubs have watched former France Under 21 star Lauriente on several occasions.
But Spurs are also in the mix says reporter
The reporter claims Sassuolo want 25 million Euros (£21.5m) to sell. But the price may well fluctuate between now and the window.
“Juventus are among the clubs following Armand Lauriente’s situation,” Di Natale says on X.
“The scenario linked to the salvation of Sassuolo could change many things between now and the end of the season.
“Many Serie A teams are interested, but also two from the Premier League – Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United have followed him several times – and one from Ligue 1…
“Sassuolo is asking for 25 (m Euros) today, but it is clear that the price will depend on the end of the season,” he added in a reply to a question about the fee.
Who is Lauriente and what would be bring to West Ham or Spurs?
So who is Lauriente and what would be bring to West Ham or Tottenham?
He has five goals and four assists in 33 starts for Sassuolo this season.
Lines of communication are already established between West Ham and Sassuolo after the Hammers paid them £35m to sign Gianluca Scamacca.
Football data experts WhoScored list Lauriente’s biggest strengths as his dribbling ability and direct free-kicks.
Worryingly the site has crossing, holding on to the ball, passing, aerial duels and defensive contribution as weaknesses.
Lauriente is a former Rennes teammate of West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd.
In terms of his playing style, WhoScored states the winger likes to dribble, cut inside and shoot from distance. Factoring in his electric pace and it sounds like Lauriente has the makings of an exciting player under the right manager.
Of course no transfer rumour would be complete without the obligatory YouTube highlights reel.
You can check out Lauriente in action in the video below.
