Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano has made an astonishing claim about West Ham signing a Man City star that will shock fans.

There have been a few deals between West Ham and Man City down the years.

And a number that haven’t quite got over the line for the Hammers or Manchester City for one reason or another.

From the days of Ian Bishop, Steve Lomas and Trevor Sinclair through to Craig Bellamy, Pablo Zabaleta, Joe Hart and many more.

The world and its wife knows that Manchester City and West Ham have twice seen an £85m deal for Lucas Paqueta hit the buffers due to the spot fixing allegations against him.

West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady also revealed recently that last summer’s initial collapse of the Paqueta deal denied the Hammers Cole Palmer, a move which had been agreed.

Man City then loaned West Ham their midfield flop Kalvin Phillips in January instead.

The least said about that and Phillips the better.

Last summer Man City took on Jamal Baptiste when he was released by West Ham.

One year later he was released again after failing to prove himself worthy of a long-term deal.

West Ham and Man City’s good relations

While Manchester City can essentially go out and buy top, proven, established talent to continue fighting for silverware, West Ham are having to do things differently.

Hammers technical director Tim Steidten and new head coach Julen Lopetegui are working on an extensive rebuild with a limited budget.

The first major signing of the summer for West Ham was Brazilian 18-year-old sensation Luis Guilherme.

It is a clear sign of the strategy in place at West Ham now with Steidten in full control of recruitment.

The club are targeting getting young, exciting talent before they are properly on the radar of the elite.

Much like the famous Red Bull model.

The strategy comes with obvious risks. Especially in the ultra competitive Premier League.

But that is where the Hammers place faith in the likes of Steidten and Lopetegui and their knowledge, judgement and scouting network.

Taking Rob Newman from Man City to head up recruitment under David Moyes previously simply did not work out.

Romano’s astonishing claim about West Ham signing Man City star

Among the many positions West Ham need to strengthen is left sided attacker. Not least because the club does not know what is going to be happening with Man City target Paqueta.

West Ham signed a player for that position from Manchester City this weekend.

It has been reported by club insiders and media outlets that West Ham will sign Manchester City forward David Chigwada.

The 16-year-old is lightning quick and was taken from Blackburn Rovers by Man City two years ago.

Chigwada went viral earlier this year for a skill move termed ‘The Chigwada Spin’, as he starred for Manchester City’s under-17 squad at the Future Cup.

Now transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Chigwada will be heading to the London Stadium.

And he has made an astonishing claim about West Ham signing Man City star.

Because Romano states that Chigwada is joining the Hammers not just as a prospect for the future but a player to be considered for the first team next season – at just 16.

“2007 born talent David Chigwada has signed his West Ham contract after leaving Manchester City,” Romano said alongside a picture of Chigwada signing his deal.

“West Ham moved fast to bring in a talent for present and future.”

West Ham go back to their roots

That is a very bold claim indeed.

It is clear West Ham are changing their entire recruitment philosophy.

But signing a 16-year-old to be considered for the first team squad suggests Chigwada is some player.

Steidten revealed he promised Brazil Under 20 star Guilherme he would be joined at West Ham by other young, exciting players.

It seems he is already making good on that promise by luring Chigwada from the champions Man City to the London Stadium.

If Lopetegui really is brave and bold enough to throw players as young as Chigwada and even Guilherme in at the Premier League deep end then it marks a major shift at West Ham back to the club’s proud roots.

After all the Hammers are known as The Academy of Football for a reason.

West Ham fans can see the Chigwada Spin in the video below.

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