No great loss; did West Ham really need reported target Stepanenko?

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Interest in the Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder is being reported but should West Ham really be that bothered if he ends up elsewhere?

Shakhtar Donetsk’s Ukrainian midfielder Taras Stepanenko applauds the fans following the Group F football match between Manchester City and Shakhtar Donetsk at the Etihad Stadium in…

Former West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic was plotting a January swoop for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Taras Stepanenko acccording to ESPN.

Since Bilic’s dismissal, West Ham’s interest has cooled with new manager David Moyes not as keen on pursuing the Ukrainian.

The 28-year-old holding midfielder is attracting interest from other Premier League and Bundesliga clubs with Hoffenheim now the front runners to sign him for €8m, also reported by ESPN.

Cheikhou Kouyate of West Ham United (R) reacts as he is foiled by Heurelho Gomes of Watford (L) during the Premier League match between Watford and West Ham United at Vicarage Road on…

The Hammers then, may not be the eventual destination for a man who has 37 caps for Ukraine and plenty of UEFA Champions League experience – but is he the answer to their problems?

The club’s current central midfield options – Cheikhou Kouyate, Pedro Obiang, Mark Noble and Edimilson Fernandes, have struggled to influence matches this season, suggesting the position is one to strengthen.

But West Ham have the worst defensive record in the Premier League, so there is an argument that the defence may need strengthening before bringing targets of former manager Bilic to the club.

William Carvalho of Sporting CP in action during the Primeira Liga match between Sporting CP and Porto at Estadio Jose Alvalade on October 1, 2017 in Lisbon, Lisboa.

There may also be better options that are perfectly attainable for West Ham in midfield. Despite their position in the league, they are still an attractive proposition given the fact they play at the London Stadium.

The East London team were interested in Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho in the summer and could go back in for him in January with the club willing to listen to offers of £28m according to the Daily Express.

There’s no doubt that West Ham need a midfielder of Stepanenko’s ilk but with other options, and more pressing areas to strengthen, the Londoners shouldn’t be too disheartened if the Ukrainian moves elsewhere.