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Cherry Picking: Who West Ham Should Buy From AFC Bournemouth?

By Henry Tomlinson

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Jack Stacey of Bournemouth in action during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and AFC Bournemouth at American Express Community Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Jack Stacey of Bournemouth in action during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and AFC Bournemouth at American Express Community Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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The world of football is up in the air and no one knows what will happen once the Coronavirus Pandemic is over. If there is relegation at the end of the 2019/20 season and West Ham avoids it. The Hammers could look to raid AFC Bournemouth, who currently occupy the third relegation spot, for players.

The Cherries have struggled this season due to injuries and poor form with some of their key players. This has led to Eddie Howe’s team plummeting down the league and into the drop zone for most of the season. Despite their league position, Bournemouth does have some very good players that West Ham could benefit from bringing to the London Stadium.

David Brooks

The young Welshman’s absence from the Bournemouth side this season has been one of the main reasons for their perilous league position. Brooks has been out for most of the season with a bad ankle injury, although once he has recovered, he will no doubt show his quality again.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has played 30 times in the Premier League, scoring seven goals and assisting a further five. Brooks has averaged a goal contribution every 189 minutes. a much better record than all the current midfielder at West Ham this season. The Wales International would be a perfect replacement if Manuel Lanzini does leave the Hammers in the next transfer window.

Brooks is valued at £21.6 million on TransferMarkt.com and normally Bournemouth would want a lot more than that for the youngster. Relegation is costly however and if the Cherries are relegated and like everyone takes an extra financial hit due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Brooks could be bought for close to his value. West Ham should be at the front of the queue for Brooks and should keep him in the Premier League.

Jack Stacey

West Ham will be in need of a new right-back this summer to challenge Jeremy Ngakia and injury-prone Ryan Fredricks for a place in the team. This is even more evident as veteran Pablo Zabaleta will be leaving the club at the end of his contract.

At Bournemouth, there could be the perfect option, Jack Stacey. The Englishman has found minutes hard to come by on the south coast, but when Stacey has played, he has always seemed to impress. Willing to get forward and overlap the winger, the 24-year-old is able to put a decent ball into the box, leading to the two assists he has provided this season.

Bought from Luton last season for just over £4 million, West Ham should be able to pounce and get themselves a bargain should the Cherries face the drop.

Nathan Ake

Ake has been one of the best central-defenders outside of the top-six in the Premier League for the last couple of seasons. The Dutchman has been solid in the at the back and is always capable of turning up at the other end of the park.

Since signing for Bournemouth, Ake has appeared 109 times in the Premier League, scoring eleven times. A record of a goal every 10 appearances is better than most strikers West Ham have bought of the last few years.

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The Dutch International has attracted some big admirers due to his outstanding performances, Chelsea being most notable. The Blues used to be Ake’s old stomping ground before he made the move down south. With rumours of Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena potentially leaving the club and Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna well into their thirties a new centre-back could be needed.

West Ham will face stiff competition for the 25-year-old, but if successful in their hunt, Ake could form a major part of the Hammers defence for years to come.