West Ham Enter Race for Guessand as Potter Plots Forward Line Reinvention
West Ham weigh up move for Guessand
West Ham United are readying themselves for a competitive summer transfer window with a bid for Nice striker Evann Guessand, as Graham Potter looks to reshape an attack that struggled throughout last season. The 23-year-old Ivory Coast international is attracting strong interest from Wolverhampton Wanderers, who are in a stronger financial position following the £62.5 million sale of Matheus Cunha to Manchester United. According to the Daily Mail.
Guessand netted 13 times for Nice in Ligue 1 last season, helping them secure a fourth-place finish and European qualification. With three years left on his current deal, he is expected to be available for a fee in the region of £20–25 million. Wolves appear better placed to act immediately, but West Ham are keen to stay in the running, provided they can generate funds through player sales.
Sales may hold key to summer activity
The need to sell before buying has placed greater scrutiny on potential exits, particularly that of Mohammed Kudus, who could command a significant fee. The Hammers are also open to offers for Niclas Fullkrug, while Michail Antonio is out of contract following a lengthy injury lay-off.
Potter, who replaced David Moyes mid-season, is expected to be backed but will have to be measured in his approach. His focus is to breathe life into a squad that accumulated just 43 points last term and frequently lacked threat in the final third.
With Wolves already committed to spending £23 million on Jorgen Strand Larsen, they could yet hold an advantage in the race for Guessand. Still, West Ham’s interest remains firm, and a deal could progress quickly if player exits are finalised.
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Evann Guessand looks like a smart, hungry option — not just another big-name gamble, but a striker with genuine upside who’s proven himself in a top European league. Thirteen goals for Nice in a tactically disciplined Ligue 1 side is no small feat.
West Ham fans have known for a while that the attack needs major surgery. Antonio’s time has probably come to an end, Fullkrug never quite clicked, and although Kudus offers quality, he feels more like a No.10 than a natural centre-forward. If they need to sell to make moves happen, so be it — the squad needs rebalancing.
What’s really encouraging is that this feels like a Graham Potter signing. Technically sharp, mobile, tactically adaptable. If they can land Guessand, it sends a message that the rebuild is underway and that they’re not waiting to be left behind in the market.
