Harry Arter’s Bournemouth struggles would make £15m West Ham move baffling

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West Ham United were keen to raid Premier League rivals Bournemouth for Republic of Ireland midfielder Harry Arter in the January transfer window.

West Ham United were linked with a whole host of midfielders during the January transfer window but it does not reflect well on the under-fire owners that they were unable to lure even a single one permanently to the London Stadium.

Deals for the likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Joe Allen and Leander Dendoncker came to nothing, as did an approach for Bournemouth’s Republic of Ireland international Harry Arter.

The Mirror reported in mid-January that West Ham were very keen on Arter, who has been one of Bournemouth’s stand out players since their promotion to the Premier League back in 2015.

And though the 28-year-old former Charlton Athletic man did not end up moving back to the capital city, there is still a chance that Arter could end up wearing claret and blue.

The Mirror adds that The Cherries were unwilling to sell their £15 million-rated livewire midway through the season but, amid his reduced game time on the South Coast this season, Arter hinted that he could jump at the chance of a change of scenery.

Ironically, this is exactly the reason why West Ham should not renew their interest by the time the summer rolls around.

After all, West Ham fans have been frustrated by what they deem a rather unambitious approach to recruitment with a number of affordable and ageing players, a la Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta and Patrice Evra arriving at the expensive of young, hungry and improving talent.

Arter is far from a has-been but it is telling that he has started just 11 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth this season, having previously been one of the first names on Eddie Howe’s team-sheet.

If Arter is no longer deemed good enough for Bournemouth’s starting XI, why should West Ham pay £15 million for him? They have to think bigger – and better.