West Ham transfer news: Hammers 'hijack' Besiktas deal for former England international

Published: July 18 2025 | 11:45

Last updated: July 19 2025 | 12:41

Potter plan: West Ham 'hijack' Besiktas deal for former England defender

West Ham United are reportedly closing in on the signing of former Southampton defender Kyle-Walker-Peters, who is completing a medical over the weekend.

West Ham United have reportedly agreed a deal to sign former Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters.

The 28-year-old departed St Mary's at the expiration of his Saints contract last month, with the club preparing for a term in the Championship.

Walker-Peters was a rare standout for Southampton during the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, in which they collected just 12 top-flight points.

After making the permanent switch from Tottenham Hotspur in August 2020, the defender played 192 games for the South coast outfit, scoring six goals.

Europa League winners Spurs supposedly had internal talks regarding the possibility of re-signing Walker-Peters this summer, although the North Londoners have decided against such a move.

West Ham 'hijack' Besiktas move to secure KWP

According to The Standard, West Ham are close to announcing another defensive arrival ahead of the 2025-26 league campaign.

The report claims that the Hammers have agreed a deal to bring former Southampton and Spurs man Walker-Peters to the London Stadium.

It is understood that the full-back was set for a medical with Besiktas this week before learning of West Ham's interest in a potential deal.

As a result, Walker-Peters delayed his flight to Turkey - a move which angered the Eagles, who publicly pulled out of the transfer on Thursday.

The 28-year-old is now racing towards a switch to East London with a medical booked in over the weekend, preparing to put pen to paper on a bumper three-year contract.

West Ham bolster their defence

Walker-Peters represents the second full-back arrival at the London Stadium this summer following the £19m signing of El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague.

The Hammers have also made the loan move of Jean-Clair Todibo a permanent one for a fee in the region of £29m.

Graham Potter is beginning to mould the West Ham squad into his image after arriving on a rescue mission at the beginning of the calendar year.