West Ham recruitment chief Tony Henry believes the club needs to sign ‘two or three’ new players to reach the next level.
The Hammers are expected to undergo a significant shake-up of the first-team squad, fronted by manager Slaven Bilic, after a disappointing campaign during the 2016-17 season.
Bilic’s side endured a rollercoaster campaign, where they stuttered between 18th and ninth place throughout the majority of the Premier League season, before settling for an 11th place finish last week.
The Croat has made multiple attempts to freshen up his squad over the past 12 months, but he is expected to continue his search for quality additions this summer.
But Henry, who is the club’s director of player recruitment, believes the club should limited themselves to a ‘maximum’ of ‘three’ new signings.
He told the club’s official website: “We need two or three, maximum. If we can get the ones that we want, I think we’ll be a really good team next year.”
West Ham have already identified their main summer transfer targets, and are likely to step up their interest with formal offers in the coming weeks.
But they already appear close to be completing their first summer deal, with experienced full-back Pablo Zabaleta set to be the first through the door.
The Standard have reported within the last 24 hours that the 32-year-old, who is set to be released by Manchester City, is due in London this week to put the finishing touches on his move.
A club insider, meanwhile, has claimed on Twitter that West Ham are set to make formal offers for two Premier League goalscorers, Kelechi Iheanacho and Michy Batshuayi, who are at the top of their wishlist.
Iheanacho and Batshuayi are our two top forward targets and we will make a move for both ?
— ExWHUEmployee (@ExWHUEmployee) May 22, 2017
The goalscoring department is one area where West Ham have been particularly lacking of late, with Michail Antonio finishing as the club’s top goalscorer this term with nine goals, despite missing the last six games.
But Henry’s revelation does suggest, however, that the Hammers will be looking for quality rather than quantity in the summer transfer market.