Weighing in on West Ham’s possible double transfer from Stoke City

While the names involved are not ‘next level’ or up-and-coming prospects, the two linked players from Stoke City linked with West Ham could be exactly what this club needs now.

With the team far too shallow to compete in the Premier League, let alone the League Cup they’ve already been bounced from and the upcoming FA Cup, West Ham need January reinforcements. Through necessity, the Hammers have found out the Roberto and Carlos Sanchez, two Pellegrini/Husillos signings are not up to this level of play.

The answer? A double swoop for Stoke City captain Joe Allen and keeper Jack Butland to replace and reinforce the Hammers’ bench options. These names are not exactly exciting or ‘next level’ like we were all promised, but stabilization is the first step to pushing on and both players can help achieve that.

Joe Allen

Joe Allen is the crux of this deal. Stoke City are in heaps of trouble. Currently sitting 22nd in the table, two points into the relegation zone, on some pretty awful form. The Welsh captain needs to be moved on to recoup some money for the Stoke board and the team can get their rumored lofty demanded fee, or close to it if they play ball with West Ham.

That fee is believed to be an incredible £15m, which straight up is far too much for a player of Allen’s skill and age. The story also claims that Allen has multiple suitors looking into his services and that West Ham wants to bid  £8m for him. Classic move missing the valuation by half, but ultimately that is a more realistic fee.

Allen will be 30 in March, and understandably this is a concern for supporters. But, Allen shouldn’t be viewed as the midfield partner for Declan Rice or the Mark Noble replacement. No, Allen should be seen as a bench player that can step into the XI when needed, but can also be deployed as a sub to solidify the midfield without dropping to Sanchez levels of “skill.”

More from Green Street Hammers - West Ham

• Brighton vs West Ham predictions: Can James Ward-Prowse help end the curse?
• West Ham and two Premier League rivals made huge transfer stand
• Lucas Paqueta bet allegations discussed in West Ham and Man City transfer talks
• Bournemouth vs West Ham predictions: Premier League opener amid transfer chaos
• West Ham near Denis Zakaria transfer after final James Ward-Prowse bid

He isn’t the answer to our midfield needs, but Allen is a reliable Premier League proven player who can fill a role at the club. He works hard, is physical, is still an international player, and is a leader on the pitch. The Hammers can check a lot of boxes with his signing.

Jack Butland

The real jewel of this proposed double swoop is Jack Butland. Hidden behind a failing team, Butland has gone from England international to relegation bound Championship keeper in too short of a period of time. Instead of his skill level dropping so rapidly it’s probably more likely that his team is just really bad in front of him.

While West Ham isn’t a stalwart defensive team, Butland could reassert himself in a Premier League team while learning from Lukasz Fabianski along the way. At just 26-years-old, the player is far from passed it and should be invested in longterm as an eventual replacement for Fabianski and keeper batterymate for Nathan Trott and/or Joseph Anang.

We’ve seen this season that keeper depth is something that can never be overlooked. Bringing in Butland now gives West Ham an alternative beyond David Martin for FA Cup matches or even Premier League matches to allow for the A1 Fabianski to take over Cup duties which are of utmost importance.

Getting Butland in is the most important part of this deal and taking on Joe Allen (as mentioned a serviceable player) at a higher rate could be the way to do it. Wouldn’t it be nice to see the board target these two players and pull the trigger on a, let’s say, £12m deal that acquired Allen and brought in Butland on a loan-to-buy deal with a future figure at £10-£15m (stipulating on his performances) to kick-start the January window?

Maybe it’s too lofty to expect, but both players could be used right now. Sanchez and Roberto need to go from the team and Jack Wilshere might be on his way out too. That leaves more than enough space and money to bring in a ‘next level’ young signing to help fill out the team, and even more players on top of that. Make it happen, West Ham!