West Ham have big decisions to make in the left-back role this summer with fresh competition from a future star.

West Ham are supposedly competing with several European giants, including Premier League rivals Arsenal, in a transfer race for talented Club Brugge defender Maxim De Cuyper this summer.

The left-back position looks to be one of particular interest at the London Stadium come the end of the season. Emeron has held that role since his arrival at the club from Chelsea in 2022, but has been largely unchallenged for the starting berth at times.

Emerson has been linked with an exit from West Ham in recent months. Galatasaray were said to be weighing up a bid last summer having failed to sign Aston Villa man Lucas Digne, but nothing came of those reports.

Arsenal ‘in talks’ with Club Brugge ‘standout’

With Graham Potter now at the helm, 19-year-old Oliver Scarles looks to have claimed that starting role from the more experienced Emerson. That could open the door to an exit for the Brazilian this summer but West Ham would then need to invest in a new recruit to provide support for the teenager in that position.

That could be De Cuyper. The 23-year-old is contracted at Brugge until 2028 but there is no shortage of links with an exit come the end of the season. Mundo Deportivo name Paris Saint-Germain as potential bidders for the ‘standout’ player with Tuttosport this week claiming that Arsenal are already ‘in talks’ over a move for the player, with AC Milan also hovering.

That second report also namechecks West Ham as a potential destination. The Hammers may be the only one of those clubs unable to offer European football to the player, who has impressed in the Champions league this season, with an asking price of £20 million reported.

West Ham to offer Ollie Scarles new contract

De Cuyper has five assists in 24 Jupiler Pro League outings this season. He’s played in the Europa League and Conference League, as well as the Champions League.

Meanwhile, West Ham are also working on a new deal for Scarles, who is seen as the future at the London Stadium. Claret and Hugh label the teenager as a ‘revelation’ and claim that a new contract will be offered to the player ‘before Christmas’ should his form continue.

Speaking after an impressive outing in the 1-0 win over Arsenal, Graham Potter said: “I need more than a word. Amazing. That’s some performance.

“He’s been really, really good since we’ve come in. It’s a big thank-you to the academy, because that type of player is [rare]. And person as well - he’s a really good character. Obviously I’m saying a lot now but I need to calm it down because he’s still young and has a lot to do. But he’s got the temperament to be really […] There’s a lot to look forward to.”

In other news, one pundit has made a West Ham transfer prediction and pointed to PSR rules.