Ferguson was the primary target — young, hungry for more game time than he was getting — and duly picked West Ham over a whole host of interested parties. Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth were just some of the clubs who explored the logistics of a move for the Republic of Ireland international.

Graham Potter’s transfer strategy at West Ham could be hit this summer if chairman, David Sullivan, has to find as much as £25m to plug a financial gap.They and other players that might be of

Winger Crysencio Summerville "has had a setback" in his recovery and is not likely to return until after the international break. Potter said he has "had a rest but not too much of one" and added that the squad "have a bit of freshness" to them following a weekend off.