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How David Moyes can bolster West Ham’s summer ‘war chest’

By Adam Smith

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 29: David Moyes, Manager of West Ham United looks on prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton FC at London Stadium on February 29, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 29: David Moyes, Manager of West Ham United looks on prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton FC at London Stadium on February 29, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /
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With this Premier League season all but over, the numbers have been leaked for West Ham’s summer budget. While not huge, it can be added to by selling off some assets for cash. Here are whos likely to go!

The budget is reportedly in for West Ham to revamp their squad under David Moyes, should the summer transfer window go on as planned…should the season be cancelled…or if West Ham stays up if the season is played out. Sky Sports’ Kaveh is reporting that Moyes was supposed to be given £40m to strengthen his team, with an additional striker and multiple fullbacks being targetted.

This number can grow, however, but with an increased budget from player sales so too will the need for more players. As it stands, these are the players on their way out, the best guess at their value, and if the club need to replace them!

Andriy Yarmolenko – no fit, but a talent nonetheless

To say Yarmolenko was a flop at West Ham is extremely harsh. The Ukrainian winger was brought in from Borussia Dortmund as a power forward with exceptional dribbling, great playmaking abilities, and most of all a deadly left boot that can hurt opponents from range. Two massive injuries sidelined him for most of his West Ham career.

At just 30, there is still plenty of gas in the tank for Yarmolenko. He doesn’t fit in the Hammers’ 4-4-2 formation as he needs to be played as a forward without much responsibility to trackback. With Jarrod Bowen now brought in and Grady Diangana returning from his West Brom loan, there is no place for Yarmo, despite him still being a talented winger who can score goals.

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The Hammers bought Yarmolenko for approximately £18m and will take a large cut on him if and when they sell him. Still, a figure of £6m-£10m is what they can expect, with Ukraine, Germany, and Italy as possible landing spots for him. As mentioned, there is no need to spend this money to replace him either.

Arthur Masuaku – time to sell instead of guess

One of the few Hammers left with an actual nickname, Arthur Masuaku is spare parts for David Moyes and will likely be sold as soon as clubs can move players on. He’s a skillful dribbler, has terrific vision, and can create with some superb passing, yet Aaron Cresswell has him pegged to the bench, unable to overtake him under the reign of three different managers.

Masuaku isn’t a defender, but also isn’t an attacker. His best position is at wingback where he can stay extra wide and work off of the sideline and a packed midfield to get forward and attack. unfortunately for him, there is no indication this system will be used by Moyes.

A range of £5m-£8m is what the Hammers should seek for Masuaku and there will be a need to replace him. Look for Masuaku to go to France or Germany and for Moyes to look for a British replacement in the Championship to push Cresswell.

Manuel Lanzini – you can’t turn back the clock

Looking back even two years ago, it would be crazy to say West Ham were looking to sell Manuel Lanzini, yet here we are. The Argentinian jewel in the Hammers’ midfield was primed for a World Cup alongside Messi and Aguero, but a massive training camp knee injury saw him miss the tournament and most of the following season, rehabbing his knee.

The Lanzini that has returned from this injury has been shocking, in comparison to the level he used to be at. West Ham’s midfield maestro that learned from Dimitri Payet, played off of Marko Arnautovic, and was not ready to be the focal point of the offence is half a yard slower, afraid of physical contact, and uninterested in the other half of the ball.

If Moyes does choose to sell Lanzini, there shouldn’t be a massive discount on him. Anywhere between £15m-£20m should be the target here, and the mentality shouldn’t be to move him on regardless of price. That being said, flipping that money for Eberechi Eze or Said Benrahma would be the move to make.

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So there it is three big wage earners at the club that can all be moved on to give Moyes more money to spend where he needs it. Other than Yarmolenko, there is a need to replace these players, but with eyes on the Championship, there are players available that would make an improvement on the team. With that, the budget jumps conservatively to £66m and could see a few solid players enter the fold.