West Ham plot move for Arsenal man who used to play for Stoke City | OneFootball

West Ham United have enquired with Arsenal regarding a potential loan move for young defender Jaden Dixon

West Ham United's pursuit of new additions rumbles on, as the Hammers have now set their sights on a loan move for a Premier League defender who struggled to make an impact in the Championship previously.

The summer transfer window has been open for a month now, but West Ham are yet to have made any fresh additions to the playing squad.

Keiber Lamadrid’s loan move has become permanent, as Mateus Fernandes’ £85 million move to Tottenham Hotspur remains the only notable outgoing at this stage too.

Incoming director of player recruitment Nils Koppen has a huge task on his hands to provide Hammers head coach Nuno Espírito Santo with players capable of firing the club back to the Premier League at the first time of asking following relegation for the first time in over 14 years.

The Belgian will be busy working around the clock sounding out potential targets, as West Ham have set their sights on a player who struggled to establish themselves in the English second tier but earned a Premier League move just six months ago.

West Ham United have made a loan enquiry for Arsenal youngster Jaden Dixon despite Stoke City struggles

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Following their relegation to the Championship, it goes without saying that things need freshening up around the London Stadium this summer, with some exciting recruits a necessity.

The news of club captain Jarrod Bowen announcing his intentions to stay with the club for next season comes as a cataclysmic boost for the club, who will be looking to the England international to spearhead them back to the top flight.

Nevertheless, he will need support around him across the pitch, including in defence, as West Ham have now reportedly set their sights on young Arsenal defender Jaden Dixon, as per Pete O’Rourke via X.

Dixon, 19, spent the bulk of his youth career with Arsenal's North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur before making the move to Stoke City in the summer of 2023.

He made just six first-team appearances for the Potters across all competitions, struggling to break his way into the side under either Steven Schumacher, Narcis Pelach, or Mark Robins.

Some reports initially suggested that a £3.2 million plus bonuses deal was agreed with Arsenal to see the youngster return to the capital in January 2026. However, Stoke Sentinel reported that such a fee has the potential to be met as a result of a plethora of substantial clauses inserted within the transfer agreement.

The England youth international, capable of playing anywhere across the back line, has gone on to make one senior appearance under Mikel Arteta for Arsenal thus far, a 15-minute cameo in the FA Cup against Mansfield Town, but could now be set for a return to the Championship this summer.

West Ham's interest will come as a surprise to many given his lack of first-team minutes in his career so far, especially with Stoke, though he appears to be rated extremely highly by the Gunners, and a loan move to the second tier could be just what his development requires at this stage.

Whether he would go straight into Nuno's back line, at this stage, remains to be seen, but as West Ham weigh up their options, Dixon has emerged as an interesting prospect this summer.

West Ham United summer business must ramp up sooner rather than later as interest in former Stoke City defender Jaden Dixon emerges

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With Lamadrid remaining the only permanent addition this window thus far for West Ham, things must accelerate in the transfer window sooner rather than later for the club.

The Hammers will have their sights set on an immediate return to the top flight, and with pre-season now underway, the time for additions is now to give them ample time to acclimitise and integrate themselves into the West Ham squad.

The rumour mill has been swirling for the East London outfit over the past couple of weeks, but nothing concrete has happened just yet, as Dixon joins the long list of potential targets this summer.