Friday, March 29, 2024

Could West Ham be in for a busy final week of the transfer window?

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Putting in what was a rampant display in East London on Monday night as West Ham stormed their way to a 4-1 win against Leicester, it appears that the mood in the Hammers’ camp is at a red-hot high.

Opening the 2021/22 campaign with an action-packed 4-2 win away at Newcastle, David Moyes’ men have won their opening two fixtures of a Premier League campaign for just the second time in the club’s history.

With Michail Antonio cementing his spot in West Ham folklore as he became their all-time Premier League top goalscorer on Monday night, could they now be set to finally dip into the transfer market?

With a Europa League campaign on the horizon and a stacked schedule this year, it is no secret that the Hammers are desperate to bring in reinforcements before the window slams shut next week.

Boasting one of the Premier League’s smallest squads and Alphonse Areola the only new arrival at the London Stadium, we have taken a look at who could be on their way to West Ham over the next few days.

Search for a central defender

With Angelo Ogbonna, Craig Dawson, and Issa Diop the only senior central defenders in the whole of West Ham’s squad, it has been widely reported over the past months that Moyes is desperate to bring in another option this summer.

Despite it appearing like the Hammers were inching closer towards a move for Fiorentina’s Nikola Milenković last week, the deal collapsed due to agent fee demands, and their search only continued.

However, with time really starting to tick away before the window slams shut at the end of the month, it appears that the former Manchester United manager has made his number one target clear.

Along with it being reported over in France that West Ham are interested in a deal for Croatian international Duje Caleta-Car, the East London outfit are keen on bringing Kurt Zouma across the capital.

While the Hammers might still be trying to sort out personal terms with the Chelsea ace, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported on Monday morning that Moyes’ side are ready to meet the Blues’ €30m asking price and a “verbal agreement” is already agreed.

A return for Jesse Lingard?

Making a stunning impact when he arrived at the London Stadium back in January, Moyes, and his assistant Stuart Pearce, have made it clear that they are keen on Jesse Lingard making a permanent return over the next week.

Playing a vital role as the Hammers managed to secure a sixth-place finish last season, the Manchester United man bagged nine goals and four assists in 16 Premier League games.

However, returning to Old Trafford over the summer and even making a cameo appearance off the bench in United’s 1-1 draw at Southampton on Sunday, it was reported by The Mirror last week that the former champions have lowered their valuation.

While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might have made it clear that he wants the England hopeful to remain part of his squad, it has been reported that United have lowered their price tag from £30million down to £20million.

Unable to get any guarantee of regular first-team action with a World Cup only around the corner, Lingard is now priced as low as 1/5 with Unibet to complete a return to West Ham before the window slams shut.

Cover for Antonio

Putting in a Man of the Match display as he became West Ham’s all-time Premier League goalscorer with a brace on Monday night, fans around East London will know that they must wrap Michail Antonio in cotton wool this season.

The only recognised striker in Moyes’ ranks and suffering from well-documented hamstring issues, the Hammers have also not been helped by the news that their attacking talisman will be joining up with Jamaica after accepting a call-up.

Only adding even more fixtures to a stacked campaign, the former Manchester United manager will be desperate to bring in some much-needed cover for Antonio over the next week.

Failing to bring in another number nine after letting former club-record signing Sebastien Haller head off to Ajax back in January, Foot Mercato reported on Monday evening that the Premier League side are moving towards a deal for Montpellier striker Gaëtan Laborde.

Watching former targets such as Danny Ings and Tammy Abraham secure moves elsewhere over the summer, all West Ham fans will know that the addition of a striker is critical over the next week.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tom Dunstan


Formerly of The Independent, Tom has spent the past six years as one of our senior writers and betting experts. Alongside working with numerous publications from across the globe, Tom also graduated from the University of Falmouth in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Media.
Spending almost the past decade working in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, he has also spent time featuring in sports radio. Tom can be followed on Instagram - @iamtomdunstan

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