Hammers could have signed £40 million Player of the Year winner

West Ham completed their 2022/23 season on a high note after lifting the UEFA Conference League trophy with a 2-1 win over runners-up Fiorentina. After that, Hammers star forward Lucas Paqueta was the subject of a transfer interest from Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, as he registered twelve goal contributions in his debut season at the London Stadium. The defending Premier League Champions even agreed an £85 million transfer fee with the Hammers, but the deal didn't materialise due to some off-field issues.

As part of Paqueta's transfer move, another transfer agreement between the two clubs was also reached where West Ham would sign talented playmaker Cole Palmer from Manchester City. However, both transfers didn't happened and Palmer joined Premier League rivals Chelsea in a £40 million move instead. Since then, Palmer has gone strength to strength at the Stamford Bridge becoming a key player in Chelsea's attack.

Hammers could have signed £40 million Player of the Year winner

Last season, Palmer scored 25 goals and provided 15 assists for the Blues to help them qualify for the UEFA Conference League despite a struggling start to their Premier League campaign. Moreover, Palmer has started the new season on a high note as well, finding the back of the net six times in the league that included a first half hat-trick against Brighton and a goal in the 3-0 win over West Ham at the London Stadium. Further, Palmer scored a goal and gave an assist for the England national team as they reached the final of the UEFA Euro 2024 again this summer.

Recently, Cole Palmer was also awarded with England's Player of the Year highlighting his growing significance for both Chelsea and the England national team since the beginning of the previous season. However, Palmer could have been playing for West Ham if Lucas Paqueta's transfer to Manchester City would have been completed and thus, the Hammers would have been well placed in the league table to aim for a top six Premier League finish towards the end of the season. However, that isn't the case and missing out on the 22-year-old creative playmaker highlights West Ham's struggles with signing a quality forward in the recent transfer windows.