West Ham one step closer to signing ‘brilliant footballer’, club to sign £6m replacement

West Ham United are closing in on a deal to sign Kyle Walker-Peters from Southampton, with the two clubs in advanced talks over a transfer. The Hammers have been searching for a new full-back after losing Ben Johnson to Ipswich Town, and Walker-Peters has emerged as a leading candidate to fill the void.

According to reports, West Ham have offered Flynn Downes to Southampton as part of the deal, with the midfielder having impressed on loan with the Saints during their promotion-winning campaign in 2023/24. Russell Martin, the Southampton manager, has expressed his desire to keep Downes on a full-time basis, and the inclusion of the midfielder in the deal could sweeten the transfer for the Saints.

Walker-Peters, a 27-year-old England international, has been impressive for Southampton in the Championship, and his signing would add a proven Premier League operator to Julen Lopetegui’s squad. The left-back has been praised by Martin for his technical ability, bravery on the ball, and intelligence, and is seen as a key signing for West Ham as they look to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.

The deal is expected to be worth around £6 million, with West Ham offering a significant fee to secure Walker-Peters’ services. The signing would be a coup for the Hammers, who have been searching for a top-class left-back to replace Johnson. Walker-Peters’ arrival would also provide competition for places in the West Ham squad, with the likes of Aaron Cresswell and Emerson Palmieri already vying for a starting spot.

Meanwhile, Southampton are set to sign Yukinari Sugawara from AZ Alkmaar in a £6 million deal. The Japanese international has been impressive for the Dutch side, providing four goals and nine assists in the 2023/24 campaign. Sugawara’s signing would be a significant boost for Southampton, who are looking to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.

The transfer activity at West Ham and Southampton highlights the ongoing efforts of both clubs to strengthen their squads for the upcoming season. With the Premier League campaign set to kick off in August, both teams are keen to secure top talent to improve their chances of success. The signings of Walker-Peters and Sugawara would be significant coups for both clubs, and would demonstrate their commitment to investing in their squads.