A big summer transfer window is ahead for West Ham, we’ve identified the positions and players they should go for.
David Moyes’ side will surely need at least six players and there remains the added concern of star man Declan Rice leaving.
The ability to sign and keep certain players will depend on where West Ham will play next season with Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and no European football at all, all still possibilities.
West Ham have a vital transfer window approaching, here is what and who the club need to sign.
Goalkeeper
Starting at the back, Lukasz Fabianski has been good throughout this season in the Premier League, however, he is nearly 37 years old. Alphonse Areola, on loan from PSG, has been the second choice playing in most cup matches but his stay at the club is set to end in the summer therefore the Hammers need a new stopper to compete with Fabianski and take the first choice role in the long-term, maybe even from next season.
West Ham have two ways to keep Areola in East London, renewing the loan for another year or buying him permanently. He is a top class goalkeeper with age on his side, popular with fans and settled in claret and blue, the club should strongly consider keeping him.
Potential signings: Alphonse Areola, Sam Johnstone, Dean Henderson
Centre-Back
Kurt Zouma is without a doubt the best centre-back at the club. Craig Dawson has been exceptional alongside him for most of this season and is adored by the fans but West Ham could still need a new partner for Zouma. This is because how good Angelo Ogbonna will be when he returns from a lengthy injury is unknown, plus he is a veteran now, Dawson is great but does have some limitations and Issa Diop has been inconsistent and could depart if a good bid comes in for him.
A young central defender is needed, possibly a left footer like Ogbonna is which would allow for more balance in defence and bring Zouma back to the right hand side where he is more comfortable.
Potential signings: Duje Caleta-Car, Lloyd Kelly, Nikola Milenkovic, James Tarkowski, Joe Worrall, Mohamed Salisu
Left-Back
With Arthur Masuaku expected to leave at the end of this campaign a new left-back is a must to compete alongside Aaron Cresswell. Again, a young player is needed to be the future on that side with Cresswell now 32-years-old. His influence on the side is huge with his crossing and set-piece delivery abilities and he can play left of a back three giving Moyes the option to change formation.
Consequently, an attacking left-back is needed, who’s capable of playing wing-back, so Pablo Fornals doesn’t have to be a makeshift player in that role. Ben Johnson, is set to be given a new long-term contract, he is the future on the right of the West Ham back four. His strength is defensively so a youthful attacking full-back on the left would compliment so well.
Potential Signings: Aaron Hickey, Sergio Gomez, Lee Buchanan, Borna Sosa, Kostas Tsimikas, Oleksandr Zinchenko
Central Midfield
There is a definite chance for big change in this area of the pitch. West Ham legend and captain Mark Noble will be retiring and the on loan Alex Kral probably won’t stay. The Hammers could need to go out and get two back-up central midfielders to compete with Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek. Plenty of fans hope that highly rated youngster Conor Coventry, currently on loan at MK Dons, could fill one of the voids.
There also remains the possibility that Declan Rice is sold. If that does happen then a big money midfielder is needed with Kalvin Phillips seemingly the perfect Rice replacement. If Chelsea came in for Rice could West Ham look at Conor Gallagher?
Potential Signings: Kalvin Phillips, Boubacar Kamara, Jason Knight, Josh Brownhill, Conor Gallagher
Attacking Midfielder/Winger
West Ham have plenty of options in this area but could do with one more with Andriy Yarmolenko, despite becoming a hero in recent weeks, is set to not have his contract renewed at the end of the season. He has been the scorer of big goals so who better to fill his shoes than a return to East London for Jesse Lingard.
Manuel Lanzini is capable of playing in a deeper role meaning West Ham could buy just one central midfielder and use him there. Armstrong Oko-Flex is an exciting young player but having not featured for the first-team yet he can’t truly be considered.
Potential Signings: Jesse Lingard, Brennan Johnson, Adnan Januzaj, Gerard Deulofeu, Keane Lewis-Potter
Striker
The position that will surely eat the most of the West Ham transfer window budget (unless Rice leaves). Michail Antonio has had ups and downs this season and there is no doubting his quality in some areas but he needs competition and West Ham are crying out for a new striker.
There are plenty of options and players with different skill sets. From the target man with Premier League experience, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, to the workhorse and more unknown Darwin Nunez. The true size of the budget and what level of European competition, if any, will have a huge impact on who Moyes chooses to sign. But it is vital he signs a striker before the start of next season after putting it off last summer and in January this year.