West Ham’s summer transfer business has so far failed to deliver.
Big-money additions such as Mads Hermansen and Callum Wilson have struggled to make an impact, while Graham Potter’s side have slumped to four defeats in their opening five Premier League games.
With the manager already under serious pressure, change could be on the horizon both on and off the pitch.
And now, it seems the club is already planning for the January transfer window.
Hammers Send Scouts to Watch Cissé
According to a fresh report from Claret & Hugh, West Ham remain interested in Rennes midfielder Djaoui Cissé.
The Hammers tried and failed with a £22 million approach for the 20-year-old in the summer, but have continued to monitor his progress closely.
The outlet claims scouts have been in attendance to watch both his Ligue 1 performances and his outings for France’s Under-21 side, returning with “encouraging reports.”
That could prompt a fresh approach in January, though any deal may depend on whether Kyle Macaulay—Potter’s trusted assistant and head of recruitment—remains at the club. Macaulay is widely expected to follow Potter out the door should the manager be dismissed.
Cissé, a product of the Rennes academy, only broke into the first team in February 2024 but has quickly become one of France’s most exciting midfield prospects. He has already racked up 20 senior appearances and further boosted his reputation at the Under-21 European Championship, where he netted three goals in four games.
Praised by Rennes boss Habib Beye as a player whose “tactical understanding is impressive,” Cissé combines technical skill with sharp decision-making and could bring much-needed balance to a West Ham midfield that has looked disjointed this season.
Whether the Hammers can land him in January may depend not only on Potter’s future but also on the club’s Premier League survival hopes.
