Former Liverpool and Aston Villa star Stan Collymore has explained why West Ham United could be the ideal landing spot for a big-name forward, with the player in question facing an uncertain future at this current club.
West Ham making summer transfer plans
Having ended the January window with the addition of Evan Ferguson on a six-month straight loan deal, Graham Potter and the Hammers hierarchy are already believed to be making some plans for the summer.
West Ham think they'll regret not agreeing deal for this striker in January
The Hammers are already ruing a missed opportunity.
ByEmilio GalantiniFeb 8, 2025
This includes potential strikers, in the event they don’t or can’t make Ferguson’s loan a permanent move, with Man United striker Rasmus Hojlund believed to be on West Ham’s list of targets.
Brentford (home)
February 15th
Arsenal (away)
February 22nd
Leicester City (home)
February 27th
Newcastle United (home)
March 10th
Everton (away)
March 15th
On the pitch, West Ham have made a fairly solid start under Potter, with performances improving overall despite some results not going their way.
The east Londoners take on Brentford at home in three days, their first taste of action since a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea last week, and West Ham’s squad will be refreshed for the occasion.
Stan Collymore tips West Ham to sign Man City star Jack Grealish
A rival player who’s also seen precious few minutes recently is Man City and England forward Jack Grealish.
The ex-Villa captain started City’s 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League last night, and looked bright before he was forced off with yet another injury. Grealish, who cost Pep Guardiola’s side £100 million in a club-record deal, cut a frustrated figure – going straight down the tunnel after being replaced by Phil Foden – with some reports suggesting he could be facing his final months at the Etihad Stadium.
Collymore, speaking to GOAL, has explained why Grealish could leave Man City to join West Ham as a potential landing spot.
“No. I sincerely hope not. I think Jack’s output is nowhere near the required level,” said Collymore on the prospect of Villa re-signing Grealish.
“If you look at the two players that have been brought in, [Marco] Asensio and [Marcus] Rashford, they can play either side of Ollie Watkins. There is a question mark over both – can they do it, will they do it? They have got pedigree.
“Jack, really, going to Manchester City and being a part of the treble-winning team – even then he wasn’t the main man, that was Kevin De Bruyne. He was good but not great. Last season, a stat of scoring one goal in just over a year… I don’t think he goes past people any more. [Jeremy] Doku when he first came into the team did that, [Omar] Marmoush you imagine will do that.”
Collymore then added that he could see the £300,000-per-week winger at West Ham as an alternative destination.
“Jack might end up going somewhere like Saudi because I’m struggling to see a top four, five or six team that would take him. The traditional top four or five, wages and fee would be a problem.
“If you are an aspiring club, Newcastle could go and buy anybody that’s young and hungry and fresh, likewise Villa. If you are one of the clubs like Bournemouth and Brighton, you probably couldn’t afford him. You could probably see him at a club like West Ham, bizarrely, because they have got the money and London as clout.
“I’m absolutely sure that Unai Emery won’t be going anywhere near Jack Grealish. Great emotional story, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.”