Many West Ham fans have been putting forward their ideal signings for the next two windows.
A large number of players and positions have been mentioned, from Calum Chambers to Franck Kessie.
Some are obviously more realistic than others, but the running theme seems to be centre-midfielders and full-backs. Finding a defensive-midfielder to play next to Declan Rice was also a suggestion.
With The Guardian calling the Hammers “the real dark horses for a place in the top six” back in August, the club needs to be prepared to spend, which they showed they were when spending £45m on French striker Sebastien Haller.
Not only do we need a central midfielder in the next two windows, but I think we also need to look at signing a left back which would then enable us to push Arthur Masuaku further up the pitch.
— West Ham Fan Zone (@WHUFCFZ) October 29, 2019
Calum Chambers from Arsenal.
Centre back but can also play defensive mid and did really well there for Fulham. Can also put in a shift at right back if needed.
Realistic signing.
— Club. West Ham (@ClubdeWestHam) October 29, 2019
Hey Phillip good evening how are you? In my opinion West Ham should buy Franck Kessie from AC Milan as our new box to box center midfielder to play alongside Declan Rice trust me on that alright! Unbelievable player wow! He is available for £25m apparently! That is €30m!
— Michael A. Gomes (@MichaelAGomes15) October 29, 2019
I was thinking Ibrahim Sangare. Perfect mix of defending and ball progression. Football observatory has him valued at 7-10 million euros. If there’s some cash available I’d try and bring in a couple others too
— Grahame Goodman (@grahamegoodman1) October 29, 2019
Most of the players mentioned above could be well within budget for the Claret and Blues. The main thing the club needs is a player who won’t need time to adapt to the Premier League, so the Chambers suggestion could be a very viable option.
And a good striker needed too
— Peter Crowe (@petercrowe511) October 29, 2019
Been needing a quality central midfielder for so many years now I, our owners won’t splash out on one though, we have consistently missed out on top one’s.
— Nigel Adams (@NigelAd27749696) October 29, 2019
Totally agree our biggest priority is a CM enforcer who can hopefully play box to box… Would help Dec’s so much and open up play for the flair players we have….. Nobes is not that and getting older…..
— (@PW57WHU) October 29, 2019
I think we need a centre midfielder who can play long passes, spread & dictate play we have no one like that who can pick a killer pass. A Shelvey type player, who can pick that pass. But someone with a better fitness record & more consistent.
— Rob Waldon WHUFC (@RobWaldon) October 29, 2019
What Do We Think?
Before signing any midfielder, one of the current West Ham players in that position have to be moved on. Carlos Sanchez almost definitely would have to be sold, as the defensive-midfielder looks surplus to requirements after playing just 14 minutes all season.
Another player that also could get relocated is Pablo Zabaleta. Although the 34-year-old right-back has played a decent 127 minutes over the 4 appearances in the Premier League this season, the Argentine is very much at the backend of his career, so perhaps the Irons should move him on to clear a space for a much younger full-back.
Whoever the Hammers sign in January needs to be able to make an immediate impact, as a young player normally needs a lot of time to settle into their new environment, meaning moving in the winter could lead to such an individual being seen as a flop.