West Ham 'begin' groundwork on £5.1m defender as £40m striker seen as ideal replacement

West Ham are now preparing for a tough-looking clash with leaders Liverpool at Anfield as they continue their bid to find consistency under Graham Potter. The Irons have struggled to get going under Potter, and they had to settle for another draw last week, drawing with AFC Bournemouth at home.

Liverpool will naturally be tough opponents as they march towards the Premier League title, and they will be determined to bounce back from their defeat to Fulham last weekend. As the Hammers prepare for that one, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding the London Stadium.

West Ham eye defender

West ham are said to be interested in a deal to sign Club Atlético Independiente’s Kevin Lomónaco. Crónica report that both Crystal Palace and West Ham are chasing a deal for the 23-year-old centre-back who looks set to stay with Atletico Independiente due to them activating a purchase clause in their loan agreement with Red Bull Bragantino.

It’s claimed both London clubs have ‘begun exploring’ the possibility of signing the defender, with Crystal Palace likely planning for life after Marc Guehi, while the Hammers could do with more depth at the back amid uncertainty over Aaron Cresswell’s future. A £5.1million price is being mooted.

Delap links

West Ham are said to be interested in signing Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap this summer. Delap has a £40million release clause in his contract that will come into force if and when the Tractor Boys are relegated.

A number of clubs are said to be interested, and GiveMeSport are saying that the Irons are one of them, reportedly seeing the striker as a solution to their striker issues, not convinced by Evan Ferguson enough to sign him - or at least trying to sign him - on a permanent deal this summer.

Delap has scored 12 times for a struggling Ipswich side this season, and at just 22 years of age, £40million could be very good value if the forward is able to remain a consistent scorer at Premier League level for years to come. Potter is very likely to sign a striker one way or another this summer, with Niclas Fullkrug having struggled to stay fit this season, and the German is already 32 years of age, while Michail Antonio is 35 and out long-term, and Danny Ings is likely to move on this summer. The striker position is likely to be a priotity for those reasons.

Potter warning

Commentator Ian Darke has warned Potter about fans getting restless amid poor form heading towards the end of the season. “Like anything, there will always be some criticism,” Darke told West Ham Zone.

“If West Ham start next season anything like they did this season with Lopetegui – all a bit hit-and-miss and off the boil – then fans will get restless. If performances and results don’t meet anywhere near expectation levels, fans will speak out. I think West Ham will give Potter a really good go at this, though, so any talk of him coming under pressure is very premature.”

Your next West Ham read, Pundit issues 'ludicrous' verdict after twist in Paquetá's FA case