Both West Ham and Arsenal are expected to be very busy indeed in the transfer market this summer, with Graham Potter and Mikel Arteta desperate to bolster their ranks at The London Stadium and The Emirates respectively.

In fact, Potter is said to be planning a huge squad overhaul this summer.

And boy do we need that at West Ham.

It could be suggested that the Hammers head coach actually needs to strengthen every single department of his squad.

Now he needs to oversee a top tier summer window, and then we really will be on the right track as a club.

If the latest rumours are to be believed, West Ham are planning one incredibly ambitious move in particular.

West Ham could stun Arsenal by signing Maxim de Cuyper

It seems like the Hammers could be set to deal a big blow to the Gunners in the summer transfer window.

It doesn’t sound right does it? Surely Arsenal are better placed than West Ham to sign top players during the off-season? Well, the latest report claims the East London outfit could be about to cause our London rivals a bit of a problem.

According to a report from Tuttosport, the Hammers are trying to beat the Gunners to the signing of Club Brugge star Maxim de Cuyper this summer.

The Belgian outfit are said to be demanding around £20 million for De Cuyper’s signature.

The fact that West Ham are even trying to hijack Arsenal’s move for the 24-year-old left-back is really impressive.

The Belgium international, who can also play as a left winger, has bagged one goal and five assists in 24 league games for Club Brugge this season (Transfermarkt).

During those appearances, De Cuyper has averaged 1.9 tackles, two clearances and 2.6 key passes per game (Who Scored).

West Ham beating Arsenal to De Cuyper would be a big statement

He is an elite talent, with pace, athleticism, dynamism and technical ability in abundance.

The Belgian is tailor made for the Premier League, and he would take Potter’s side to a whole new level down the left.

The thing is, we obviously don’t want to stunt Ollie Scarles‘ progress and development, so Emerson Palmieri would definitely have to be sold if the Club Brugges ace comes in.

If West Ham can beat Arsenal to the signing of Maxim De Cuyper, not only would it be a major statement, but it would also be a really big blow to the Gunners and Mikel Arteta.

Despite Myles Lewis-Skelly’s recent emergence, Ricardo Calafiori has failed to impress on the whole, whilst Oleksandr Zinchenko could be sold and Takehiro Tomiyasu continues to relentlessly struggle with injuries.

Despite Arsenal’s obvious need for a top-class centre-forward, a new left-back may well be required at The Emirates as well this summer.

And West Ham could be about to scupper one of Arteta’s key plans for Arsenal by signing Maxim de Cuyper this summer.