Tim Steidten has sparked panic in his homeland with an exciting West Ham move for German star Jamie Leweling.
As well as identifying a new manager to replace David Moyes, Tim Steidten must also find the Hammers a host of new players this summer.
Six current West Ham stars are out of contract at the end of the season and look set to leave the Premier League’s smallest squad.
West Ham have 22 players right now. So that will reduce the number to 16.
Throw in that the likes of Lucas Paqueta, Nayef Aguerd, Maxwel Cornet and Danny Ings could be sold and suddenly West Ham have only 12 first team players.
Fans will have seen numerous links to young British players – many from the Championship – in recent days.
Busy Steidten sparks panic in homeland
Steidten has also been to Brazil to initiate negotiations for exciting attacker Wesley Gassova of Corinthians.
The Hammers technical director is certainly a busy man right now.
And Steidten has sparked panic in his homeland with an exciting West Ham move for German star Jamie Leweling.
That’s according to German outlet Bild.
The news site’s journalist Yannick Huber says his information is that West Ham United and Roma want 23-year-old Stuttgart right winger Leweling.
Leweling has four goals and seven assists for Stuttgart this season with the club third in Bundesliga and on course for Champions League football.
But it’s not a straightforward deal for West Ham to do.
And their interest has led to heightened tensions due to a somewhat complicated arrangement.
West Ham’s exciting move for jet-heeled star Leweling
Leweling is owned by Union Berlin and is on loan at Stuttgart, who have an option to buy him for just £5m.
However this is where West Ham have muddied the water. Because Huber reports that the option expires at the end of May.
It is in Union’s interests that Stuttgart don’t take up the option as they could then negotiate freely with the Hammers and rival suitors Roma.
The good news for West Ham and Steidten is that Stuttgart are hesitating over activating their purchase option for the winger. West Ham’s interest has sent them into a panic over what to do as we head into May.
The report says Stuttgart sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth has insisted the club cannot fork out much money on transfers even if they make the Champions League.
West Ham Leweling up their attack?
Although even if Stuttgart do sign Leweling up they may be tempted to cash in at a higher price.
So what is it about Leweling that Steidten likes?
Well according to Bild, West Ham have been watching him ‘primarily because of his extremely dangerous speed dribbling and his direct runs deep’.
One look at his stats suggests West Ham would be signing something of a rough diamond.
Football analysts WhoScored highlight dribbling as Leweling’s biggest strength.
That is exciting to hear for West Ham fans who have grown tired of Moyes’ risk averse approach.
Leweling also wins a lot of fouls for his time – which will be music to the ears of James Ward-Prowse.
Importantly Leweling can also play as a forward.
His major weakness is holding on to the ball while his aerial ability and passing also need work.
It sounds like he could forge a dangerous forward line alongside the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen.
Ironically Leweling reportedly snubbed a call-up from Kudus’ Ghana in order to focus on getting in the German squad.