West Ham United insider @ExWHUemployee has recently discussed the club’s January transfer plans and claimed that the club’s owners are “pleading poverty”.
During the summer transfer window, the Hammers sealed the arrival of four players – two on permanent deals and two on loan (per Transfermarkt).
The two players on permanent deals – Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek – set the Irons back £19.98m combined.
Meanwhile, Said Benrahma and Craig Dawson arrived on loan from Brentford and Watford respectively, both with causes in their moves which would see them sign permanently.
In the latest episode of The West Ham Way Podcast, @ExWHUemployee discussed what the Irons are planning for the upcoming winter transfer window. (52:32)
He said: “In terms of the budget for January, I don’t think there’s going to be much. Already the chairmen are pleading poverty, particularly now that we’ve gone into lockdown again.
“So, I don’t think there’ll be much of a budget but we are looking for a left wing-back/left-back to sort of help the situation with [Arthur] Masuaku and [Aaron] Cresswell.
“[Also], a central midfielder and a forward [are targets].”
TIF Thoughts on what @ExWHUemployee said about the January transfer window…
As can be seen in what the in-the-know podcaster had to say, he believes that David Gold and David Sullivan are already “pleading poverty”, so, there will not be much of a budget in January.
However, @ExWHUemployee did explain that the three positions which the Irons are looking in are left-back, central midfield and up front.
Do you expect many incoming players in January?
No, not going to happen
Yes, anything is possible
With just two natural left-backs in the squad, one of which is currently injured (per Transfermarkt), that would seem a sensible position to recruit in.
Also, with only five players who are out-and-out players in a position through the middle of midfield and only two natural strikers, those positions make sense.
However, another area which may be worth looking at for David Moyes is the left-wing, as they only currently have Benrahma who is an out-and-out player in that position.