Keith Wyness drops verdict on West Ham agreeing James Trafford deal
West Ham should not be prioritising a move for Man City goalkeeper James Trafford in the January transfer window.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, amid Trafford’s uncertain future at Man City.
Multiple Premier League clubs are interested in signing Trafford, as the 23-year-old is the second choice goalkeeper at Man City.
Trafford only joined Man City for a second spell last summer, after impressing at Burnley, but he has made just three Premier League starts this season.
West Ham face ‘risk’ signing James Trafford
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – thinks West Ham should be looking for defensive additions to their squad.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness believes there is no need to replace Alphonse Areola in-between the sticks.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I just don’t see the need for Trafford to come into West Ham.
“I mean, Areola is, look, while he may not be the best keeper in the Premier League, he’s not the worst by any means. And I just don’t see that being a real need for a position. I think they’re still looking more for defensive backups as well, in case of injuries for the second part of the season.
“If you’re in a relegation battle, you’ve got to stop those goals going in. And I think that right now, that’s where I’d be spending some money on the back four, in defensive midfield, and let’s hope that their new signings up front can start to deliver.
“But I just don’t see a goalkeeper being a key position for them to spend money on. And given the risk profile we’ve just discussed, I think that risk is magnified if they’re spending it in positions that aren’t really vital.”
West Ham target two Championship stars
West Ham have been active in the January window with two new signings, and there could be further incomings at the London Stadium.
Watford midfielder Imran Louza is of interest to West Ham, amid the 26-year-old’s fine performances in the Championship this season.
Middlesborough star Hayden Hackney could also be pursued by West Ham, as Nuno Espirito Santo looks to bolster his squad.