West Ham United have turned their attention towards Leicester City’s Mads Hermansen after missing out on Botafogo goalkeeper John Victor. He took to social media to confirm his decision to continue with the Brazilian club.
Earlier today, we covered claims from Brazil explaining that West Ham had agreed a €10m fee with Botafogo.
ESPN Brasil reported West Ham initially offered to quadruple his current salary before changing terms midway through the negotiations. This didn’t please John, and the move has now collapsed.
The UK press reports Graham Potter’s side have turned their attention towards the Leicester City stopper. It was even stated West Ham have agreed a £18m fee with Leicester and the Denmark international is said to undergo medical tests with the London club.
Tipsbladet relay it and then cover former Denmark international Peter Kjær’s take on the Leicester player’s impending move to West Ham for £18m.
He’s now an expert for Viaplay and believes the 25-year-old’s signing can be a bargain for the Hammers for £18m.
“If he goes in and becomes the first goalkeeper, and he has a long and fine career at West Ham, then it’s a bargain, but if he becomes the second goalkeeper and plays the small trophy, then it’s not a bargain. Then he’s a squad player,” he said.
“I don’t think that will be a theme here at all. If I were to put my savings on it, we’re dealing with something that could well be a bargain. He has huge potential, he’s still only 25 years old.”
Alphonse Areola lost his place in the starting XI during the course of last season before regaining it after Graham Potter’s arrival in January. Kjær, who previously represented Beşiktaş and Aberdeen, believes Hermansen can be the new No.1 at West Ham.
“It’s the manager who buys him. He didn’t buy Areola, so in some way it’s always nice that the manager who has you is also the one who buys you,” Kjær explained.
“So, in that way I can also see that if he reaches the level he did in the first half at Leicester, I will also consider him to be a better goalkeeper than Areola. They have to play for it, and it’s tough, but that’s how it has to be in the goalkeeper position.”
