After a bit of transfer window back-and-forth, West Ham appear to have finally found their man between the sticks.
The club is on the verge of completing an £18 million deal to sign Leicester City goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, as they look to bolster their squad ahead of the new season.
Pivoting Plans After Failed Pursuit of Botafogo’s John Victor
Initially, West Ham had their eyes set on John Victor from Botafogo.
But when talks with the Brazilian side didn’t pan out, the Hammers quickly shifted focus to Hermansen, who impressed last season at Leicester despite the club’s disappointing relegation.
The 25-year-old Danish goalkeeper is now close to making the move to East London.
Deal Details and What West Ham Expect from Hermansen
According to reports, the agreement for Hermansen is worth £18 million upfront, with an additional £5 million in potential add-ons.
That valuation reflects just how much West Ham rate the Denmark Under-21 international, who has been Leicester’s standout performer in recent months.
Exploring Other Options Before Settling on Their First Choice
While Hermansen was always high on the list, West Ham also explored other possible signings.
Among them were Michael Zetterer of Werder Bremen and Zion Suzuki from Parma.
However, in the end, Hermansen stood out as their top target, and now he’s expected to complete a medical and put pen to paper very soon.
Filling the Void Left by Fabianski and Addressing Areola Concerns
This move comes at a critical time for West Ham. Lukasz Fabianski has left the club, and there are doubts over whether Alphonse Areola can fully step up as the undisputed number one.
Bringing in Hermansen is a clear signal that the Hammers are looking for stability and reliability in goal.
Busy Summer Transfer Window for the Hammers
It’s been an active window for West Ham so far.
The club has brought in Callum Wilson, Kyle Walker-Peters, and El Hadji Malick Diouf, while Jean-Clair Todibo was made a permanent signing.
On the flip side, several notable names have departed, including Mohammed Kudus, Aaron Cresswell, Vladimir Coufal, Danny Ings, Kurt Zouma, and Michail Antonio.
Hermansen’s Journey from Brøndby to Premier League Spotlight
Hermansen made the switch from Brøndby to Leicester in 2023 and has clocked up 72 appearances for the Foxes since then.
Despite the club’s relegation, his individual performances caught the eye, earning him this next big opportunity in the Premier League with West Ham.
What Comes Next for the Danish Keeper?
With the medical expected soon, all signs point toward Hermansen officially joining West Ham in the coming days.
The club is banking on him to step up as their new first-choice keeper and help solidify a squad that’s undergone serious changes this summer.