West Ham United are believed to be eyeing up a move for Sheffield United‘s Michael Cooper despite Ruben Selles’ previous comments on the goalkeeper.
The Hammers are in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer after Lukas Fabianksi left the club and Alphonse Areola now left with just former Blade Wes Forderingham as support. Whilst the East London side have been linked with Leicester City‘s Mads Hermansen for weeks now, progress to bring the Danish international to the club has been slow.
Cooper Emerges As Second Option
According to Alan Nixon via his Patreon page, Sheffield United’s Michael Cooper has become an alternative option for Graham Potter’s side, with a £15 million price tag attached to the 25-year-old. Everton have also been pursuing the former Plymouth Argyle man in search of a backup for Jordan Pickford, but have had an offer rejected by Sheffield United.
Leeds United and Sunderland have also been tipped with interest last month, but Daniel Farke’s side have instead signed Lucas Perri of Olympique Lyonnais, whilst the Black Cats look set to keep Anthony Patterson as their starting ‘keeper. Burnley have also been mooted with a move, which may be exacerbated by the loss of James Trafford to Manchester City.
Ruben Selles has been adamant about his stance towards a sale of Cooper following last week’s pre-season friendly against Burton Albion, for which the goalkeeper was absent due to injury concerns. He said (Quotes via Yorkshire Post):
“He’s definitely staying, it’s not about that.
“I understand the concerns because people are not there day by day but it’s nothing related to that.
“The last game was a decision from me to give game-time to the other goalkeepers. On Tuesday he felt a bit of discomfort in the knee but he should be back in a couple of days.”
Cooper joined United last summer from Plymouth, replacing Foderingham as the first-choice option at Bramall Lane. He conceded 33 goals in 43 matches and recorded 21 clean sheets, but the Blades failed to gain promotion back into the Premier League, losing to Sunderland at Wembley in the playoff final.
Writers’ View
With extensive links to Mads Hermansen this window, it would be surprising for West Ham to also pursue Michael Cooper. Alphonse Areola is at the peak of his ability and is still a top goalkeeper, and in Hermansen, they will recruit Leicester City’s best player from last season, so a potential move for the 25-year-old would leave Graham Potter with a major selection headache. As he previously commented, Ruben Selles will not let Cooper leave South Yorkshire this window, affirming his belief that the goalie is the best candidate to help bring the Blades back into the top-flight.
