West Ham Transfer: Lookman Targeted as Kudus Faces Spurs Bid

West Ham transfer talks are intensifying as the London Stadium hierarchy draw up contingency plans for a potential Mohammed Kudus departure, and Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman sits firmly at the top of their shortlist.

West Ham transfer blueprint for the summer window

The Hammers’ recruitment team have been working on a long-term squad refresh ever since Tim Steidten arrived as technical director. According to sources in Italy and England, the latest West Ham transfer priority is to secure a dynamic wide forward who can both score and create. Kudus currently fills that brief, yet Tottenham Hotspur’s interest has escalated to the point where Daniel Levy is readying a bid in excess of £60 million. If the Ghanaian playmaker leaves, West Ham will need an immediate replacement to maintain momentum under David Moyes.

Why Ademola Lookman fits Moyes’ tactical template

Lookman has exploded in Serie A since swapping RB Leipzig for Atalanta, registering 15 goals and 8 assists in all competitions last season. His ability to drive inside from the left, press aggressively, and finish clinically mirrors Kudus’ contribution on the right flank. Scouts have flagged the 26-year-old’s Premier League experience at Everton, Fulham and Leicester as an extra bonus, making him a lower-risk West Ham transfer compared with rawer talents. Crucially, Lookman is comfortable in multiple roles, allowing Moyes to switch between a 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 without losing width or penetration.

Tottenham’s move for Kudus complicates the picture

Ange Postecoglou is pushing Spurs to secure Kudus early, believing his dribbling and goal threat can replace the departed Lucas Moura and supplement Son Heung-min. West Ham have privately insisted they will not sell unless their valuation is met, but the lure of Champions League football and a significant wage rise could tempt Kudus. The board therefore see the Lookman deal as an essential insurance policy, ensuring any outgoing funds are immediately reinvested in the squad—a hallmark of recent West Ham transfer activity.

Financial framework behind the latest West Ham transfer pursuits

Initial discussions with Atalanta suggest a fee of around £35 million could secure Lookman, although La Dea are reluctant sellers after qualifying for Europe. Steidten is believed to have budgeted an extra £10 million for add-ons tied to appearances and continental qualification. Wages would sit comfortably within West Ham’s existing structure, with Lookman expected to earn close to £100,000 per week—well below the top bracket reserved for Jarrod Bowen and Kurt Zouma.

Should Tottenham close on Kudus for the reported £60-65 million, the Hammers would still bank a healthy surplus after covering Lookman’s purchase price, strengthening other positions such as left-back and central midfield. That prudent approach typifies every major West Ham transfer since the sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal last year.

Competition for Lookman intensifies

West Ham are not alone. Napoli view Lookman as a fallback if Khvicha Kvaratskhelia joins Paris Saint-Germain, while RB Leipzig retain a matching clause from his previous spell in Germany. Nevertheless, the player’s camp favour a Premier League return, and Steidten’s relationship with their representatives gives the Irons a head start. The agreement of personal terms is not expected to be a stumbling block, pushing the saga into a straight negotiation between the two clubs.

Next steps in a tightly choreographed West Ham transfer timeline

Moyes wants clarity before the squad depart for their preseason tour of the United States in mid-July. The board are therefore aiming to wrap up Lookman’s signing—or confirm Kudus’ stay—within the next four weeks. Failure to do so could force the club toward alternative targets such as PSV’s Johan Bakayoko or Rennes’ Jérémy Doku, but those options are considered less proven.

In parallel, West Ham will continue scouting defensive reinforcements, with Manchester City’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Stuttgart’s Hiroki Ito both linked. The knock-on effect of any marquee West Ham transfer in attack could dictate budget availability for those secondary moves.

Potential ripple effects on the Premier League landscape

Should Lookman arrive and Kudus depart for Spurs, the balance of power in London derbies could shift. Tottenham would add a versatile forward capable of operating centrally or wide, whereas West Ham would gain a winger with Serie A-honed decision-making. For neutrals, the prospect of Kudus lining up against his former club adds spice to the fixture list, while Lookman’s return promises narrative intrigue of its own.

Statistical comparison: Kudus vs Lookman

• Goals per 90 (2023/24): Kudus 0.42 | Lookman 0.46
• Assists per 90: Kudus 0.31 | Lookman 0.24
• Successful dribbles per 90: Kudus 2.9 | Lookman 2.7
• Pressures per 90: Kudus 15.8 | Lookman 17.2

The numbers underline how closely matched the two attackers are, making the proposed West Ham transfer for Lookman an analytically sound succession plan.

Fan sentiment and boardroom confidence

Supporters are split. Some fear losing Kudus so soon after his arrival from Ajax, while others remember how the Rice windfall financed a stronger, deeper squad. The club’s communications team are keen to frame any sale as part of a sustainable model—a stance that has become a mantra for every major West Ham transfer since the move to Stratford.

What the experts say

Former Hammer Joe Cole told BT Sport: “Lookman would thrive under Moyes. He’s matured in Italy and now understands the defensive side better. If Kudus leaves, that’s a blow, but Lookman can soften it.” Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano adds that negotiations are “concrete” but warns that Atalanta “will not give discounts.”

Opinion: A calculated gamble worth taking

Swapping Kudus for Lookman would inevitably provoke mixed emotions. Kudus is younger and arguably boasts a higher ceiling, yet Lookman is a proven Premier League asset entering his prime. If Tottenham pay the premium West Ham demand, the Irons could emerge stronger overall—especially if surplus funds address other weak spots. In that sense, this West Ham transfer saga feels less like surrender and more like smart squad engineering.