West Ham could miss out on Angel Gomes as Marseille enter talks to sign England star on a free transfer

West Ham United desperately need a rebuild after this horrendous 2024/25 season. The Hammers have several holes to plug and positions they must improve.

Thankfully, the West Ham hierarchy knows what the team needs. They will prioritise signing a new striker and reinforcing the midfield area in the summer transfer window.

The engine room is a massive area of concern, with the team lacking guile, control, and steel. West Ham must sort this issue for manager Graham Potter, but plans hit an impasse.

West Ham are interested in signing LOSC Lille midfielder Angel Gomes and offered him a contract worth £100,000 a week. Potter is a fan of the diminutive former Manchester United orchestrator.

The England international midfielder rejected the deal, although there is no indication that West Ham ever left the picture.

However, Gomes could be slipping further away from West Ham, with reputable French outlet L’Equipe reporting that Marseille have entered talks to sign him on a free transfer.

Those talks have been going on for several weeks, and Marseille sent a contract proposal. There is no mention of whether Gomes has accepted the offer.

Marseille are poised to qualify for the UEFA Champions League as they sit second in Ligue 1 with two games left.

They will likely have the edge in the race as all parties (including West Ham) try to persuade Gomes.

West Ham should pull out all the stops to sign Gomes – View

Given the dire need for creativity, composure, and control in the West Ham midfield, missing out on Gomes would be a massive blow.

Here is a rare opportunity to sign an England international – someone with experience playing in a top league and Champions League potential, without paying a transfer fee.

Gomes can play deep in midfield or behind the striker seamlessly, giving his managers a technically proficient and versatile operator.

At 24, Gomes reduces the average age of this ageing squad. He is a modern midfielder capable of competing in the Premier League.

The fact that Marseille are circling should be a wake-up call. West Ham cannot afford to hesitate or lowball.

If West Ham are serious about this rebuild and backing their manager, they must pull out all the stops to get Gomes to East London.