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