West Ham set their sights on signing Celtic's attacking midfielder

In the Sunshine State Tour friendlies, West Ham have started to implement Julen Lopetegui's new style of football. But some of the experienced players are struggling to adapt under the new coach. Players like Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Cresswell, Tomas Soucek and James Ward-Prowse all have been top performers in the last five years in the Premier League. However, now they all are around the age of thirty and mostly struggle to keep up with the pace required at the top level in the Premier League.

In the Wolves and Crystal Palace matches, Vladimir Coufal and Aaron Cresswell both seemed slow and often couldn't clear the ball properly inside the box which lead to more goals conceded. In the midfield, Tomas Soucek and James Ward-Prowse both had difficulties dealing with the opponent's high press and thus couldn't move the ball forward inside the final third. Thus, the Hammers need to find replacements for them to build a more balanced squad.

West Ham set their sights on signing Celtic's attacking midfielder

For Soucek, the obvious replacement seems Guido Rodriguez. West Ham signed the World Cup winner in a surprise transfer move on a free transfer. Rodriguez has great recovery pace and his build up play helps create several chances and keep more possession. For James Ward-Prowse, CaughtOffside reports that West Ham have set their sights on signing Celtic's attacking midfielder Matt O'Reilly.

The Danish midfielder is a box-to-box midfielder who can play as a deep lying defensive midfielder as well as a creative playmaker. Last season, the 23-year-old was in great form for Brendan Rodgers side, scoring nineteen goals and providing eighteen assists as Celtic won the Scottish League. Although James Ward-Prowse is a great set piece taker, he isn't a creative playmaker and doesn't have much pace either.

Matt O'Reilly on the other hand, can play as a pivot keeping the possession and progressing the ball further along the pitch as well as a creative midfielder alongside Mohammed Kudus due to his world class finishing and passing inside the final third. The report also claims that alongside West Ham, Leicester are also huge admirers of the midfielder's talent. Also, Celtic value Matt O'Reilly at around £25 million.

Thus, it is upto West Ham if they decide to bring in a replacement for James Ward-Prowse this summer or wait for an another year to bring in a new midfielder. Currently, improving the defence is a big priority for which West Ham are trying to bring in a new centre back and a new right back before the new season kicks off in under two weeks.