West Ham are ‘preparing a transfer offer’ for Arsenal target Carlos Baleba
West Ham are reportedly preparing a bid to sign Arsenal’s target for the likes of Brighton star Carlos Baleba, and could leave for just £17m.
West Ham are making transfer plans amid a relegation battle
With six games remaining, West Ham sit in 17th place, two points above the relegation zone with one of the most turbulent seasons in recent memory coming to an end.
Two managers, an almost catastrophic collapse in the first half of the campaign and an almost miraculous recovery under Nuno Espírito Santo defined 2025/26 at the London Stadium.
A 4-0 win at already-relegated Wolves on April 10 pushed Tottenham back into the bottom three and gave Nuno’s side a decent two-point cushion, but with Arsenal, Brentford and a potentially decisive final-day meeting with Leeds still to come, nothing is settled.
The Opta Supercomputer gives West Ham a 39.3 per cent chance of going down, which is significant enough to make every result between now and May feel like a real six points.
The numbers needed to stay on top appear to be 40 points, leaving Nuno in need of another eight from the rest.
Insiders say the “exciting” West Ham player could join Leeds on one condition
It would be a blow for the Hammers.
Next up is Crystal Palace, then Everton at home, before the game gets really tight.
For a club that has spent 29 of 32 game weeks in the relegation zone at one point this season, even reaching this point with their fate in their own hands represents a limited achievement.
What makes the situation unusual is that plans for the next season have already started, whatever they are.
The permanent signing of loanee Axel Disasi, who has performed faithfully since arriving in February, is being considered, subject to survival.
It has also been reported that West Ham are the frontrunners to sign Diasis permanently after his lengthy loan spell, despite competition from Aston Villa and Fulham.
And now a new name has entered the frame, which speaks of ambition.
West Ham are preparing a bid for Rennes star Djaoui Cisse
According to Africa Foot, West Ham are among the clubs ‘preparing a deal’ for Djaoui Cissé, the Rennes midfielder who has attracted a lot of attention across Europe this season.
Leeds are also working on a bid, while Aston Villa, Arsenal and Newcastle are monitoring his situation.
The competition from Germany is much greater, however.
Bayer Leverkusen have also applied and are reportedly in a good position for the 22-year-old player, while Cissé’s camp is said to be attracted by the prospect of joining.
That position clearly captures the desire of a player who is under contract until 2030 and has strong ambition, and is understood to be prioritizing playing time and a project built on young talent.
Cissé is a box-to-box midfielder with the type of profile that today’s clubs across Europe covet: 6 ft 2, technically gifted, hard-working and productive on the ball.
He has represented France at U21 level, scored a goal in the European Championship last summer, and holds dual French-Malian citizenship.
Having played 22 games in all competitions this season, he has played almost 1,000 minutes in Ligue 1, and Africa Foot say that Rennes valued him for up to £17 million.
He has also been compared to Brighton star Carlos Baleba by scouts and has been called an ‘outstanding’ midfielder.
Whether West Ham can realistically compete for a player of this profile while battling relegation is a bit of a self-answering question – if they go down, any deal for a player with European ambitions becomes more difficult to seal.
But the rumor that they are working on a proposal at all shows the planning being done at the club regarding the situation where they stay, rebuild, and look to go in a different direction than the season they just endured.
The former Barcelona player has agreed a new deal after repeated links with West Ham and England
He has not yet responded to his party’s request.
