Graham Potter targets £30m Chelsea star as first West Ham signing

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Chelsea looks on during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Chelsea FC and Shamrock Rovers at Stamford Bridge on December 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images).
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could leave Chelsea in the January transfer window (MB Media/Getty)

Graham Potter is targeting Chelsea midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as one of his first signings for West Ham, according to reports.

Dewsbury-Hall joined Chelsea in a £30 million deal from Leicester City in July but he has struggled to secure a regular role under Enzo Maresca this season.

Last term, the 26-year-old was a key figure in Maresca’s Leicester side which won the Championship to secure promotion to the Premier League.

But since his move to Stamford Bridge, Dewsbury-Hall has made just five appearances as a substitute in the Premier League and his seven starts have been spread across the Carabao Cup and the Conference League.

Potter, meanwhile, has now been confirmed as West Ham’s new manager following the club’s decision to sack Julen Lopetegui this week.

And according to MailOnline, Dewsbury-Hall has been identified as one of West Ham’s top midfield targets to sign in the January window to help reinforce Potter’s squad.

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Chelsea passes the ball during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Chelsea FC and Shamrock Rovers FC at Stamford Bridge on December 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is yet to start a game in the Premier League this season (Getty)

When asked about Dewsbury-Hall’s situation at Chelsea last month, Maresca refused to rule out the prospect of the midfielder leaving the club in the January transfer window.

Asked if Dewsbury-Hall would remain at Chelsea until the end of the season, Maresca replied: ‘Unfortunately, I can not say that about Kiernan or about all of the squad because when the window is open, anything can happen.

‘The only thing I can say about Kiernan is that we are very happy with the way he is working and his performances.

‘We don’t want one of our players to leave. The problem is sometimes the question is more for them. If they say ‘you don’t want me to leave but I am not happy and want to play more’, in that case we are not going to say, ‘no, you have to stay’.

‘It’s a matter of an agreement between the club and the player. The only thing I can say is I am happy with Kiernan, then we will see.’

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