{"id":260552,"date":"2026-08-31T18:40:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T18:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/31\/how-west-ham-can-quickly-make-a-better-signing-than-austbo\/"},"modified":"2026-08-31T18:40:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T18:40:11","slug":"how-west-ham-can-quickly-make-a-better-signing-than-austbo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/31\/how-west-ham-can-quickly-make-a-better-signing-than-austbo\/","title":{"rendered":"How West Ham can quickly make a better signing than Austbo"},"content":{"rendered":"

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West Ham United<\/a> are in pursuit of further reinforcements for Nuno Espirito Santo<\/a>‘s squad before the end of the summer transfer window after a frustrating start to the campaign.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Hammers have drawn two and lost one of their opening three matches in the Championship<\/a>, drawing 1-1 with Watford in their most recent outing at the weekend.<\/p>\n

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\n
\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/John Sibley<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

They officially confirmed their latest signing on Monday morning when they unveiled winger Edvin Austbo in a deal worth an initial fee of \u00a310m, which could rise to \u00a318m.<\/p>\n

The 21-year-old attacker is a right-footed left winger who has joined from Norwegian outfit Viking to compete with Manor Solomon for a starting berth in the side.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Why Edvin Austbo may not be a starter for West Ham<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

Despite being signed for a significant sum of money, in Championship terms, Austbo may not be a regular starter for the Hammers in the Championship this season.<\/p>\n

Experienced winger Manor Solomon joined on a permanent deal from Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer and has already scored one goal, against Burnley, in two starts for the club in the league.<\/p>\n

The Israel international also racked up ten goals and 12 assists in 39 appearances in the division when he played on loan at Leeds United in the 2024\/25 campaign, which shows that he is a proven Championship performer who can offer regular quality in the final third.<\/p>\n

Austbo, however, has arrived at the London Stadium as a young up-and-coming winger who has yet to prove that he can deliver goals and assists as regularly as Solomon.<\/p>\n

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Austbo (Eliteserien)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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2025<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

2026<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

Appearances<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

27<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

xG<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.18<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.47<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Goals<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Big chances created<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

xA<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5.12<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.33<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Assists<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

The 21-year-old winger scored eight goals and provided six assists in his last 38 league games for Viking, which is not quite as impressive as Solomon’s haul in his last campaign in the English second tier.<\/p>\n

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\n
\"West\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Craig Brough<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Therefore, despite being a big-money arrival, the Norway U21 international may have to settle for a role off the bench in the short term because the Hammers already have a more effective player in his position in their squad.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n How West Ham can already make a better signing than Austbo<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

Whilst Austbo may not make an immediate impact on the pitch, due to Solomon being a better option, the club are looking at another signing who would be a much better addition to the group.<\/p>\n

According to journalist Jacob Steinberg, West Ham United are interested in a deal to sign Hull City left-back Ryan Giles before the end of the summer transfer window.<\/p>\n

The reporter claims that the Hammers have submitted a last-gasp offer to sign the English full-back on loan with an option to buy, but the Tigers are hoping to keep hold of him.<\/p>\n

West Ham will now have to up their offer in talks with the Premier League in an attempt to convince them to part ways with the left-footed star before Tuesday night’s deadline.<\/p>\n

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\n
\"ryan-giles-hull\"\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/David Klein<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Giles would be a phenomenal addition to the squad if the Hammers can agree a deal for him before the window slams shut because he is a proven Championship performer who could slot straight into the starting line-up after Malick Diouf’s move to Brentford.<\/p>\n

Whilst Austbo is a young and unproven talent who may be a back-up initially, the left-back would arrive as a first-choice option who could hit the ground running in the second tier.<\/p>\n

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25\/26 Championship<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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Ryan Giles<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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Rank vs LBs<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

Successful crosses<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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48<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Top 7%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Chances created<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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39<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Top 14%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Cross accuracy<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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23.6%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Top 41%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Big chances created<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Top 6%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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xA<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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6.17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Top 7%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Assists<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Top 5%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

The 26-year-old defender was one of the outstanding creative players in the Championship in the 2025\/26 campaign, creating 11 ‘big chances’ for his teammates from a left-back role.<\/p>\n

The former Middlesbrough star helped the Tigers to earn promotion to the Premier League with his assists from left-back, and he could step in to provide instant creativity for the Hammers as Diouf’s replacement.<\/p>\n

Since the start of the 2020\/21 campaign, Giles has created a staggering 65 ‘big chances’ in the Championship from a left-back position, which further speaks to the consistency of the creativity that he provides in the division.<\/p>\n

Kyle Walker-Peters had to play at left-back, as a right-footed player, in the draw with Watford and did not offer much of a threat going forward, creating 0.08 xA, which is why Giles would be such a welcome addition to the squad.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Ryan-Giles-Luton-town\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The Hull full-back would fill a glaring gap in the starting line-up after Diouf’s departure, arriving as an impactful starter, which is why he would be a much better signing than Austbo, who may have to wait for his chance to shine.<\/p>\n