West Ham United co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold look set to finally make good on promises to take their transfer business to the next level.
West Ham fans were sold a dream when they left their beloved Upton Park for the London Stadium two years ago.
Sullivan and Gold pledged the move to Stratford would enable the Hammers to move to the ‘next level’ and help West Ham afford and attract marquee signings. The duo even suggested the club could compete for the Premier League and Champions League titles in the near future, as reported back in 2015 by the Daily Mail.
Many West Ham fans begrudgingly accepted that the club must move on in order to compete with the Premier League elite on and off the pitch. But two seasons flirting with relegation since, and issues with the stadium move itself, has left supporters disenchanted.
The strength of feeling was evident when it literally spilled onto the pitch last season during THAT game against Burnley back in March.
This summer the penny finally seems to have dropped for the owners, though, with Gold telling talkSPORT new West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini will receive unprecedented financial backing.
It’s so far, so good with the club signing Ryan Fredericks on what looks a superb free transfer from London rivals Fulham, France Under 21 captain Issa Diop for a record fee and goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski for £7 million from relegated Swansea City.
The likes of Sky Sports have also reported West Ham are in for Jack Wilshere, Felipe Anderson, Bruno Fernandes, Jean Michael Seri and Alfie Mawson.
It seems West Ham are finally moving on to the next level with their transfer dealings, and fans will hope that translates on the pitch.
Here’s how West Ham could line-up with their strongest XI next season – taking into account the serious injury suffered by Manuel Lanzini – if they manage to pull off the signings the club have been linked with in the press.
Potential West Ham XI 2018/19
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