Ferguson was the primary target — young, hungry for more game time than he was getting — and duly picked West Ham over a whole host of interested parties. Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth were just some of the clubs who explored the logistics of a move for the Republic of Ireland international.

West Ham boss Graham Potter has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brentford (kick-off 15:00). Here are the key lines from his news conference: Lucas Paqueta and Edson Alvarez have trained with the squad and are expected to be available and so is Jean-Clair Todibo.

Graham Potter’s transfer strategy at West Ham could be hit this summer if chairman, David Sullivan, has to find as much as £25m to plug a financial gap.They and other players that might be of

Graham Potter has certainly given West Ham’s players the solidity and stability they’ve needed all season, and injured players returning could help his cause.