New social media activity from Wilfried Zaha has added further intrigue amid reported talks over signing for West Ham.
It has been reported that Wilfried Zaha could become Julen Lopetegui’s first signing at West Ham.
The Hammers have been linked with ex Palace attacker Zaha on several occasions in the past.
Indeed just last month it was claimed Zaha could move to West Ham in the summer after a year with Galatasaray.
The prospect of Zaha signing for West Ham with David Moyes as manager always seemed very remote.
Moyes inherited Zaha amid much hype when taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Man United.
But things simply did not work out for the influential winger or the Scot at Old Trafford.
With Moyes’ leaving, though, that would no longer be a potential barrier for the Hammers or Zaha.
According to KUMB this week, Galatasaray winger Zaha could be the first signing Lopetegui makes when he’s formally announced as the new Hammers boss.
The report claimed Zaha’s agents flew to England for further talks with their counterparts at West Ham over a move.
Zaha’s cryptic post fuelled West Ham move talk
We reported last night that Zaha had then set West Ham tongues wagging with a cryptic post on X.
The 31-year-old wrote: “God’s timing,” alongside an hourglass emoji – usually used to signify ‘waiting’.
Some Hammers fans felt Zaha might be referring to the timing of Moyes’ departure, Lopetegui’s appointment and his desire to return to the Premier League.
It did seem rather coincidental that his rare and random post came amid the reports of talks with – and a potential move to – West Ham.
Many Hammers fans in the replies certainly saw it as a hint from Zaha that he could be on his way.
Now new Zaha social media activity adds further intrigue amid the West Ham talks.
New Zaha social media activity adds further intrigue
Because the winger, who has 10 goals and four assists in 20 starts for Gala this season, has decided to delete the post.
Not before we got a screenshot of it, though.
We can only guess what the reason for that might be.
Perhaps it was because his post drew too much attention to the potential move to West Ham before Lopetegui has even been officially appointed?
Maybe the reported talks did not go as planned and any chance of a move is off.
Or could Gala be miffed over the whole situation?
The fact Zaha has deleted the message certainly suggests something could be afoot. Or at least was.
The prospect of signing Zaha has divided opinion among West Ham fans.
Prospective signing divides Hammers opinion
Many feel that, at 31, the club should be looking at younger, hungry players. Especially as West Ham already have the second oldest squad in the Premier League.
There are also concerns whether he could get back to the levels he showed previously in the Premier League after a year playing in a far inferior competition.
Others point to the fact the Hammers desperately need to sign players who fulfil the homegrown status quota.
With Lucas Paqueta likely to be sold if the case against him is dropped, Lopetegui will need a new left-sided creative player.
Those fans in favour of a move for Zaha also point out he has been a consistent goal threat in England’s top flight with 68 goals and 29 assists in 305 appearances.
A further layer of intrigue comes from the fact Zaha used to be with agent Will Salthouse of Unique Sports Management.
Salthouse is a preferred agent of West Ham co-owner David Sullivan and is close friends with his eldest son Dave.
Salthouse is also believed to be involved in Lopetegui joining West Ham.
But reports back in 2019 claimed Zaha was suing USM over a failed transfer away from Crystal Palace in the summer of that year, as reported at the time by The Daily Mail.
You can check out Zaha in action for Gala this season in the video below.