It looks like scattergun Chelsea chief Todd Boehly has ruined West Ham United’s best laid striker transfer plan.
When it comes to operating in the world of football transfers there isn’t many more shrewd and knowledgeable than West Ham technical director Tim Steidten.
At the other end of that particular scale sits Chelsea chief Todd Boehly.
You would have to go a long way to find two more contrasting approaches to transfers than the methods of Chelsea and West Ham.
One is looking to negotiate sensible deals for versatile if unproven stars at reasonable prices following extensive scouting.
The other seems to be copying targets from other clubs and throwing money at clubs and players to beat rivals to deals.
Different approaches for same end goal at West Ham and Chelsea
But ironically the end goal behind West Ham and Chelsea’s plans is the same – to build an athletic, skilful and exciting team around young players.
The key difference being that Boehly – once linked with a Hammers takeover before his consortium bought Chelsea – seems to have unlimited funds for his project compared to the £100m Steidten reportedly has for West Ham’s big rebuild.
The way Boehly has lavishly splashed the cash at Chelsea has drawn criticism.
Now it will incur the wrath of the Hammers.
Because scattergun Chelsea chief Boehly has ruined the West Ham striker transfer plan.
Chelsea has given a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘scattergun approach’.
Both in terms of transfers and managers at Stamford Bridge.
Scattergun Boehly ruins West Ham striker plan
West Ham have been carefully working on a plan to sign Atletico Madrid forward Samu Omorodion.
New Hammers head coach Julen Lopetegui made signing his fellow Spaniard a top priority.
He reportedly wants to build his new-look side around towering striker Omorodion, who is far from the finished article but boasts huge potential.
West Ham looked like they were one small step away from getting the pacy star.
There was a gap in valuation between them and Atletico. But – crucially – Diego Simeone wanted Nayef Aguerd, which Steidten could use as a potential makeweight in the deal.
When Atleti rejected West Ham’s first approach, Omorodion changed his agent and released a cryptic statement about his future.
It was reported the Hammers were going back in with another offer.
But now Chelsea have bulldozed their way into the deal and essentially put an end to any hopes West Ham have of signing Omorodion.
Boehly has seen a bid of £35m rejected by Atleti according to Gianluca Di Marzio, who claims he is now suddenly Chelsea’s first choice transfer target.
As a result of scattergun Chelsea’s interest and recent track record of paying over the odds for players, Atletico smell the chance to make some serious money.
It’s now being claimed Atletico want double Chelsea’s offer to sell Omorodion.
No chance Hammers sign Omorodion now
Omorodion could have taken the right next step in his career by joining his compatriot at West Ham.
A team full of young players looking to prove themselves at the top level under less scrutiny than they would be at an elite club.
But now Chelsea have barged in and will replace one raw forward in Nicolas Jackson with another in Omorodion if they eventually get their man.
And it seems highly unlikely Omorodion will get the game time he needs to develop at Chelsea, where he will be under intense pressure – especially if signed for a massive fee.
One thing is for certain, though, he won’t be joining West Ham now.
Chelsea’s involvement has inflated the price beyond all realms of realism.
So it is back to the drawing board for Steidten and Lopetegui at West Ham.