Three players West Ham should consider from the relegated sides

After the conclusion of the project restart, West Ham did find a way to safety in what was a disappointing season, to say the least. However, there are talented players from the relegated teams that could help the Irons next season.

West Ham fans and players would have never thought at the start of this season that the club would have found themselves in a relegation battle, but now that the season is finally over, it is time for West Ham to navigate the transfer-market and rebuild this squad for next season.

Half the battle will be to try and clear some big wages off the books, whereas the other half is to find young and hungry players that will play for the badge and try to rebuild the squad with pace and hunger.

Even though Watford, Norwich and Bournemouth were poor this season, they still have some very talented players on their squads that could immediately contribute to next years squad. With the 3 clubs looking to sell some of their bigger players to account for the loss of revenue that relegation brings to a club.

Here are my 3 biggest targets I think the Hammers should consider from these relegated sides.

3. Max Aarons, Right-back, Norwich City

NORWICH, ENGLAND – JUNE 27: Jesse Lingard of Manchester United battles for possession with Max Aarons of Norwich City during the FA Cup Quarter Final match between Norwich City and Manchester United at Carrow Road on June 27, 2020 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

The Hammers need major reinforcements at the fullback positions, and although Ben Johnson looks to be quite a player, that should not stop West Ham from making a big investment into a very young and talented prospect. Aarons is only 20 years of age and appeared in 36 Premier League matches for the Canaries last season.

Although, bigger clubs will for sure be interested in the hot prospect. The Hammers will be able to guarantee him playtime and make sure he is one of the first names on the team sheet. This will continue the development of what looks to be a great right-back in the making.

2. Joshua King, Forward, Bournemouth

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JULY 26: Joshua King of AFC Bournemouth scores his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Everton FC and AFC Bournemouth at Goodison Park on July 26, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Tim Goode/Pool via Getty Images) /

Although the Hammers do have some decent options up top in Sebastien Haller and Michail Antonio, King would bring a whole new dynamic to the attack. Although King is no longer a young player at 28 years of age, the Norwegian has the experience to provide some valuable attributes to a team trying to build and go up the table.

King has 10 goal contributions in 26 Premier League appearances this year and could provide help to Haller, as well as injury backup to Antonio. If Bournemouth is looking to offload King on the cheap, the Hammers should definitely give the Cherries a call.

1. Gerard Deulofeu, Forward, Watford

Watford’s Spanish midfielder Gerard Deulofeu controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Watford and Tottenham Hotspur at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, north of London on January 18, 2020. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

If there was going to be a forward/wide player from Watford on this list, I’m sure every West Ham fan would have expected Ismaïla Sarr to be the one. However, although as much as I love Sarr as a player, I don’t think the Hammers would be willing to shell out what the Hornets are asking for, and the possibility that Sarr gets contacted by a bigger club based off of his performance this season is very likely. Deulofeu is a very different story.

The electric Spaniard came to Watford from Barcelona and was very productive for the Hornets prior to his injury this season that held him out for the rest of the season. He is expected, however, to be fully fit and ready for next season.

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With Watford potentially looking to sell Sarr or Doucouré for a massive fee, the Hammers should try and snag Deulofeu on the cheap, as his pace and skill could provide something that the Hammers were missing from Felipe Anderson this season.