Report: West Ham eye free transfer to lead new attack | OneFootball

West Ham Target Calvert-Lewin in Smart Summer Move

Potter Identifies Premier League-Ready Striker

West Ham United’s summer rebuild under Graham Potter appears to be well underway, and according to a report by Football Transfers, the Hammers have made contact with Everton regarding the availability of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

With the 28-year-old England international’s contract set to expire on 30 June, West Ham are eyeing a potentially shrewd free transfer move for a player who once commanded a valuation of over £40 million. The report indicates the club are prepared to better his £100,000-per-week salary in order to tempt him to the London Stadium.

The move would represent a long-awaited upgrade in West Ham’s attacking department as Michail Antonio prepares to exit after a memorable decade of service. Antonio, now 35, is not expected to renew terms, leaving a void in both experience and physical presence that Calvert-Lewin could naturally fill.

Photo: IMAGO

Resurgent Fitness and Missed Opportunities

West Ham’s interest isn’t new. As revealed by Football Transfers, “intermediaries offered the striker to West Ham last summer in a deal worth up to £35 million,” but concerns over his injury record led to hesitation. That caution may now prove costly, with the striker’s fitness markedly improving in the 2024–25 campaign, making 26 starts across all competitions.

Still just 28, Calvert-Lewin appears to have regained both sharpness and confidence, offering aerial dominance and clever movement that fit Potter’s preferred system. West Ham are clearly hoping that a Bosman move for a now-proven player with Premier League pedigree will bring maximum value with minimal financial risk.

Vision for a New-Look West Ham Attack

Graham Potter’s tactical style is built on fluidity, pressing, and positional rotation — traits that Calvert-Lewin has shown under Sean Dyche’s more direct setup. That versatility, paired with his physicality and hold-up play, makes him a strong candidate to lead West Ham’s frontline.

“West Ham have been put on ‘red alert’ and view this as a low-risk, high-upside move for a striker entering his prime,” says Football Transfers. Given the lack of a transfer fee and the player’s improved availability, it’s easy to see why Potter is keen to bring him in now — a year after the club initially passed on him.

Timing Feels Right for Both Sides

Calvert-Lewin appears ready for a fresh start after rejecting Everton’s latest contract offer. His “widely expected” departure would free him to explore a club offering both increased wages and a prominent role in a competitive squad.

With West Ham undergoing what looks like a subtle identity shift under Potter, this deal makes sense: a calculated risk with considerable upside, especially given the striker’s desire to revitalise his career at a pivotal age.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a West Ham fan’s perspective, this feels like exactly the type of deal we should be doing. We’ve watched Michail Antonio put in the hard graft for ten years, but the time has clearly come for a new number nine to step in. Calvert-Lewin ticks so many boxes it’s almost suspicious — Premier League-proven, physical presence, and available for free? What’s not to like?

Yes, the injury history is a bit of a red flag, but to be fair, 26 starts last season is no small feat — especially in an Everton side who struggled in the first half of the season. If Potter believes in his fitness and system fit, then we should trust the judgement. After all, we’ve spent big in the past and not always got that sort of return.

It also sends a message that we’re still an ambitious club. Outbidding Everton on wages shows intent. Bringing in someone who’s been around the England setup means we’re thinking beyond just mid-table mediocrity. This isn’t just plugging a hole — it’s trying to build a team capable of playing exciting, modern football.

In short, if this deal goes through, we’ll be getting a potential 15-goal-a-season striker without coughing up a transfer fee. In today’s market, that’s a result.