West Ham United have endured a difficult 2019-20 campaign to this point, and there may already be one eye on what the club can do over the summer in order to make sure that they aren’t locked in a relegation battle again next year.
The Hammers will be doing everything that they can over the final weeks of the Premier League season to fight off relegation, but it will not be easy. Predicting the ending of this campaign is harder than guessing the NBA betting odds.
West Ham are currently locked level on points with Watford and two sides in the bottom three, Aston Villa and Bournemouth. Over the final nine games of the season, David Moyes’ side must at least match the records that the teams below them have. Transfer plans will be impacted by what happens over the course of the remainder of the season. But, should the Hammers stay up, which three positions should be priority for West Ham’s board?
Right-back: Joakim Maehle,
West Ham will desperately be looking to bring in new full backs in the upcoming transfer window, and not many have gained as much attention from Premier League sides as Joakim Maehle. The Genk right-back could be the perfect man to replace the ageing Pablo Zabaleta. Maehle already has the experience that will benefit the Hammers, as he has played in the Champions League, and he fits the profile that Moyes would be looking to add to his side. The 23-year-old Dane has played in 23 games in the Jupiler League for Genk. In the Champions League, he also impressed in the six games that he played, as he made 3.3 tackles per game and made 1.3 interceptions. It may not be a signing that will excite fans, but it will be one that will ensure that the Irons are a more compact side next season.
If Maehle’s transfer fails, the Hammers could move for former Chelsea academy player Ola Aina. Even though he is considered one of the current top Nigerian talents in football, Aina is struggling for minutes in Torino, so it should be an easy target. Aina is also 23-year-old, fast and skilful, having the physicality necessary to fit in the Barclays Premier League (or The Championship!).
As well as a new right-back, the Hammers will also be looking to add a left-back over the summer months, and Jamal Lewis could be the outstanding choice. A few names have already been linked with the Hammers, but there are too many questions regarding whether they will be able to tempt Jonas Hector or Alex Moreno to the club. Lewis’ Norwich are likely to be relegated this season, which means it is a move that could be pulled off by the Hammers. The 22-year-old will likely be getting a lot of attention after he has impressed in the Premier League this term. He has made 16 appearances in the top-flight and scored one goal. He has a pass completion rate of 77.8% and is effective in the defensive third as he has averaged 1.7 tackles per game and 0.9 interceptions per game. Any chance
that the Hammers have of getting Lewis will likely hinge on them staying in the top flight.
Centre-forward: Aleksandar Mitrovic
West Ham’s attacking options this season have been depleted, and the signing of Sebastian Haller hasn’t exactly worked out as many would have hoped. Due to that, it’s likely that the Hammers will be back in the market for a striker again this summer, and there aren’t many better options than Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic. The Serbian stayed loyal to the Cottagers when they were relegated to the Championship, but should they not get promotion this season, then he may be forced to leave. He has scored 23 goals in the Championship this season and proved last season that he could make the grade in the Premier League given the chance. Mitrovic scored 11 goals in 37 games in the Premier League with Fulham, and West Ham could be persuaded to make the £20 million move.
Here we have the top 3 positions where we think West Ham should prioritise their signings. Who else did we miss? Who would you add to this list?- Ed Little
