Payet replacement plus two more signings: West Ham possible starting XI on first day of 2017/18
COMMENT By Will Butcher
Football Insider gazes into its crystal ball and predicts the West Ham team for the opening day of the 2017-18 campaign.
Slaven Bilic is likely to target proven Premier League talent in the summer and could bolster his West Ham squad with three new first-team signings.
The former Croatia manager has struggled to replicate the heroics of last season that saw the Hammers defy pre-season expectations by finishing in a lofty seventh position.
However, after a number of disappointing summer signings from overseas, the east London outfit started the 2016-17 campaign miserably. Now in ninth, Bilic will already be looking ahead to the summer transfer window.
He will need to finally solve West Ham’s problem position between the sticks. Adrian has six months left on his current deal, while Darren Randolph is not good enough to remain as the Hammers’ number one stopper.
That could see Bilic turn to England international Joe Hart, while Tottenham right-back Kieran Trippier and Swansea playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson would also prove shrewd signings.
Earlier this month, Bilic described Manchester City star Hart as a “great goalkeeper” after reports suggested the 68-time international could be on his way to the London Stadium.
The Sun claimed that England’s number one goalkeeper was interesting West Ham, and Bilic could act on that interest in the summer to solve his problem area in goal.
With Sam Byram struggling to overcome a hamstring injury and Alvaro Arbeloa’s contract winding down, the Hammers are in desperate need of a right-back.
Simiarly to Hart, West Ham were reportedly interested in Tottenham right-back Trippier back in January after the Daily Mail claimed the Spurs ace was high on Bilic’s transfer agenda.
A move could materialise for Trippier as he continues to play back up to Kyle Walker at White Hart Lane, while signing Gylfi Sigurdsson will replace the loss of Dimitri Payet.
The Mirror claimed that both Everton and West Ham were interested in the £25million-rated playmaker in January, as the Hammers looked to replace Payet.
However, Iceland international Sigurdsson opted to remain in Wales. But if the Swans fail in their fight against relegation, West Ham could use the money they received from the sale of Payet on Sigurdsson.
Bringing these three proven Premier League talents would improve Bilic’s side greatly and give them a real chance of breaking into the top six of England’s top tier.
In other West Ham transfer news, here are three players the Hammers could sign if this new manager is installed.
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