OPINION
Tottenham are reportedly looking to sanction something of a clear out this January, with Victor Wanyama chief amongst those believed to be heading for the exit door – with West Ham among the potential suitors.
If the report from the Daily Mail are true and the 27-year-old is being earmarked of a move, then the Hammers should make sure they are his first option for a departure, but the move would surely bring to an end Jack Wilshere’s short time at the London Stadium.
The Kenyan is part of an increasingly rare breed, a proper defensive midfielder concerned with protecting his back four and very little else.
The Hammers are critically understaffed in the centre of the park at the moment, and the sudden availability of a player of Wanyama’s quality cannot be passed up on.
Declan Rice has looked incredibly precocious this season but looks destined to remain as a first team stalwart for years to come and Mark Noble, for all of his passion and experience, is not getting any younger.
Most worried, however, will be Jack Wilshere. The England international cannot seem to catch a break with his injuries, and for all of his qualities, at some point West Ham have to cut their losses and move on.
The 26-year-old has played just five times since his summer switch from Arsenal, and it will be grave concern for Manuel Pellegrini that he has already fallen back into a cycle of injuries and absence.
The Chilean recently referred to Wilshere as a £100million player, but he cannot do anything from the treatment room, and Wanyama could prove to be a much wiser, lower risk investment who brings a lot more to the side.
He might have only arrived this summer, but Wilshere should be seriously sweating if the Kenyan also makes the move from north London.