West Ham must use £30m Chelsea news to avoid another Angel Gomes transfer humiliation - opinion

West Ham must use news that Chelsea will not push to sign Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher this summer to their advantage and act fast to avoid another Angel Gomes style fracas at the London Stadium.

The Hammers were one of several clubs said to be chasing the signature of Gomes as the England international becomes a free agent this summer. The midfielder’s contract at Lille is about to expire and all signs point towards the 24-year-old being Premier League bound.

A robust terrier in the centre of the park, Gomes will be a marquee signing for any top flight club and he has the potential to revive the West Ham midfield. Graham Potter clearly knows that and was reported to have put in a personal call to the player in a bid to convince him to make the move to the London Stadium.

West Ham said to have failed in Angel Gomes pursuit

However, that is thought to have failed with Gomes not interested in West Ham. Tottenham Hotspur have emerged as frontrunners with Manchester United also linked.

That whole situation was humiliating for Potter and evidence that, given this season’s circus, West Ham is perhaps not an attractive option for Europe’s best right now. West Ham can bounce back from that setback by upping their pursuit of Kelleher.

The Liverpool number two has long been tipped to exit Anfield this summer with desires to be number one at a Premier League club. On Friday, The Athletic confirmed that the shot-stopper would leave Merseyside come the end of the campaign with the arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili the final straw, placing a £30 million price tag on the Republic of Ireland international.

Chelsea out of West Ham and AFC Bournemouth race for £30 million goalkeeper

Earlier this season, Chelsea had been widely linked with making a swoop for the player. Enzo Maresca has flip-flopped between Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen in the Blues goal without a great deal of consistency from either.

However, Mail Sport reporter Lewis Steele has now clarified that Maresca will not move for Kelleher in a boost for West Ham. The journalist names AFC Bournemouth as potential suitors while GiveMeSport ran a fresh report of Hammers interest on Friday.

The Cherries do still have a shot at securing European football for next season, but are underdogs to do so. If neither West Ham nor Bournemouth can offer him European football, it will surely come down to who between Potter and Andoni Iraola can best sell their project.

Potter must not lose that race, having already been embarrassed by reports of that failed Gomes phone call. Kelleher is a first rate goalkeeper who has experience in the top flight and Champions League. There are reports of West Ham interest in relegated Southampton man Aaron Ramsdale but he is not the same upgrade on Alphonse Areola that Kelleher would offer.

After Kelleher impressed against RB Leipzig in Germany earlier this season, Liverpool legend Steve McManaman told TNT Sports: "It's almost disrespectful calling him a number two, because of course, he does play second in command when Alisson is fit, but he's played too many games now to be associated as one. He's an outstanding goalkeeper, outstanding when called upon."

In other news, Tottenham and West Ham must hold David Moyes to £41m Everton ransom - opinion.