West Ham tipped to land ‘A-list’ star among four new signings – pundit
Noel Whelan has tipped West Ham to make at least four new signings during the summer transfer window.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the Hammers could take advantage of “out of favour” players at other clubs to maximise their transfer budget.
As quoted by the Evening Standard on Wednesday (9 March), David Moyes revealed he sees a “change of the guard” this summer as he looks to “add to the squad” this summer.
With European qualification the aim for the Irons, Whelan suggested Moyes needs at least four new additions.
He claimed the Hammers could look at poaching players currently at big clubs looking for regular game time.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “They need to get another four in, in my opinion. It depends on how much money is available.
“If they’re on the fringes or if they haven’t made the Champions League, but they are in Europe, still, they still need to go and get at least three or four players, in my opinion, to strengthen that squad to contend.
“Like most of the clubs that are fighting for that fourth spot, their summer transfer window depends on where they finish and what category of player you can bring into the club.
“If you’re in the Champions League spots, you get a category A. That’s where the bigger players and the better players want to be playing. They want to be fighting in these competitions on a Tuesday, Wednesday night.
“If you’re not there but are in Europe, you change to category B and C. It’s as simple. Bigger players, better players, international players want to be playing in the Champions League.
“We’ve seen David Moyes sign Jarrod Bowen from a Championship club. He’s turned him into someone who will be an international player.
“You can work with players and improve players. It’s not always about going out there and spending £65million on players. It’s about being very savvy in the transfer market.
“Maybe taking some players that aren’t in favour that will go to a club like West Ham to reignite their career again.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire issues verdict on West Ham owner Daniel Kretinsky’s links to Gazprom as asset freeze mooted.