It is transfer deadline day, and it remains to be seen if West Ham United will be able to get any more business done. The Hammers are in a precarious position, sitting 18th in the table and six points behind Nottingham Forest. Relegation would be a disaster for a club whose move to the London Stadium was meant to progress them into being a Champions League one, not a Championship one.
The window so far has been mixed. Lucas Paqueta has left the club. Whilst the Brazilian was outstanding on his day, mentally, he needed to go back home to Brazil. James Ward-Prowse, whom Nuno Espirito Santo has had a problem with since they were together at Nottingham Forest, has gone on loan to relegation rivals Burnley.
Players such as Niclas Fullkrug, Guido Rodriguez, and Luis Guilherme all received moves to top European clubs, but they will not be missed. As for incomings, Taty Castellanos and Pablo have boosted the Hammers' forward line. Whilst Adama Traore's strength and pace could be a huge asset for West Ham in the second half of the campaign.
Signing a center-back appears to be West Ham's priority now. They have been linked with Axel Disasi and Taylor Harwood-Bellis. Time will tell if any deals will be made before the window closes at 7 (GMT) today. West Ham have made some great deadline day signings in the past, and here are the top three.
West Ham United's best ever transfer deadline day signings
3. Carlos Tevez
Carlos Tevez unexpectedly arrived at West Ham United alongside Javier Mascherano on deadline day of the 2006 summer transfer window. Mascherano struggled for game time, as Hayden Mullins kept him out of the team. Mascherano left in January for Liverpool, but Tevez stayed and played a crucial role in West Ham surviving relegation.
Tevez always had a great relationship with the supporters. After scoring a free-kick against Tottenham Hotpur he jumped into the stands at Upton Park. He scored seven goals with three assists in his final 10 Premier League games of that season. His goal against Manchester United on the final day of the season ensured that the Hammers pulled off the great escape and sent Sheffield United down to the second tier.
2. Michail Antonio
Michail Antonio was a bargain, signing from Nottingham Forest for just £7 million at the end of the 2015 summer window. He initially struggled for game time and was often played out of position, including at right-back under Slaven Bilic.
Antonio persisted and went on to become West Ham's top goalscorer in the Premier League with 68. He was part of the side that won the Europa Conference League. However, his Hammers career ended when he was involved in a car-crash. He has played for West Ham's Under-21s in Premier League 2 this season, but has been unable to return to first-team action since the accident.
1. Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen has to be number one, given he has taken the mantle off of Mark Noble and become Mr. West Ham. Not much was known about Bowen when he joined the club, as he arrived from Hull City on deadline day in 2020. However, he soon became a Hammers favorite.
Bowen is even closer to breaking Antonio's Premier League record; the current West Ham captain is only four behind his former teammate. Bowen scored the winner against Fiorentina to win the Europa Conference League. If the Hammers are to survive relegation this season, Bowen will need to continue to play a crucial role.