West Ham United are interested in deals for Ismaila Sarr, Josh Brownhill and Nayef Aguerd, so what would David Moyes’ 2022/23 XI look like if they all moved to the London Stadium?
The Hammers are keen to strengthen the Scot’s ranks this summer after securing a spot in the Europa Conference League. It is the first time since the 2016/17 season that the Irons will feature in Europe in successive campaigns after reaching the Europa League semi-final.
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Manchester United denied West Ham another term in UEFA’s secondary club competition by two points this season. The Red Devils ended the Premier League term on 58 points to the Irons’ 56, despite scoring fewer goals with 57 to 60 and conceding more with 57 to 51.
Moyes had to carefully manage his squad to ensure West Ham challenged in Europe and the Premier League this term. Injuries regularly ravished his central defensive ranks, while lacking striker depth having still not replaced Sebastien Haller as Michail Antonio’s backup.
West Ham are interested in Sarr, Brownhill and Aguerd in summer spree
West Ham are now interested in deals for Watford’s Sarr, Burnley’s Brownhill and Rennes’ Aguerd in a summer spending spree. Moyes is keen to strengthen across the park over the off-season, and could make Aguerd their first signing of the summer with a transfer close.
According to 90min, West Ham hold a long-standing interest in Aguerd and see the Rennes defender as a priority target. Talks have been ongoing for the last month after Kurt Zouma, Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna’s injuries heighted Moyes’ desire to improve at centre-half.
The Hammers are likely to pay Rennes £30m before any add-ons for their 21-cap Morocco international. Aguerd has also already flown into London to begin his medical after starting at home to South Africa in an AFCON qualifying tie the Atlas Lions won 2-1 last Thursday.
So, with Aguerd potentially kickstarting West Ham’s summer spending, what could Moyes’ line-up look like next season with the Irons also interested in deals for Sarr and Brownhill?
Alphonse Areola (GK): West Ham interested in retaining PSG loanee
West Ham are interested in signing Alphonse Areola permanently this year after his season on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. Fabrizio Romano claims the Hammers are willing to pay €9m (£7.75m) for the goalkeeper, who kept eight clean sheets across his 18 appearances.
Vladimir Coufal (RB): Hammers’ star defender needed summer to rest
Moyes will hope Vladimir Coufal returns to his best next season having had the summer to hit reset. The right-back shone after joining West Ham from Slavia Prague for just £5.5m in 2020. But a niggling groin injury hindered his form and Coufal often struggled defensively.
Nayef Aguerd (CB): West Ham are interested in Rennes defender
Aguerd may walk straight into a starting role at West Ham should Rennes sell the defender Moyes has a long-term interest in. The 26-year-old played 40 games this season, including seven in the Europa Conference League, whilst also scoring four and creating three goals.
Kurt Zouma (CB): Star signing of summer 2021 to get new partner
Zouma was West Ham’s star defensive signing of the summer of 2021 with a £30m move from Chelsea. The Frenchman featured 33 times during his debut campaign at the London Stadium, delivering some faultless displays with a powerful and often imposing presence.
Aaron Cresswell (LB): Consummate professional to retain starting role
Aaron Cresswell is a consummate professional whenever on the field to merit retaining his starting role next season. The full-back is comfortable at either end of the pitch, and offers West Ham a stellar set-piece expert capable of bending free-kicks into the back of the net.
Josh Brownhill (CM): West Ham interested in Burnley raid after relegation
West Ham are interested in raiding Burnley following their relegation to sign Brownhill and are considering an offer, per 90min. The Irons have long admired what the 26-year-old can offer and see him as an ideal heir to Mark Noble, but face an asking price of around £15m.
Declan Rice (CM): England star to captain West Ham in European fight again
Declan Rice will step up from vice-captain to captain to replace Noble next season after Mr West Ham’s retirement. The midfielder has proven his leadership at the London Stadium, and displays his class for club and country after dazzling on and off the ball with England.
Jarrod Bowen (RM): West Ham confident of retaining sought-after forward
According to 90min, West Ham are confident of retaining Jarrod Bowen this summer with Premier League clubs showing interest. The 25-year-old exploded this term with 18 goals and 13 assists to catch Arsenal’s attention, as well as Newcastle United and Liverpool’s.
Jesse Lingard (CAM): Moyes has made midfielder an offer to return as free agent
Moyes has moved to take Jesse Lingard back to West Ham ahead of the midfielder leaving Manchester United as a free agent. The Daily Mail report the Irons have made him an offer after scoring nine and assisting five goals in a stunning loan in the second half of 2020/21.
Ismaila Sarr (LM): West Ham interested in Watford raid for star forward
Watford suffering another relegation has sparked West Ham to show an interest in signing Sarr this summer, per the Mirror. The Hornets are also prepared to sell the 24-year-old for £25m, after striking five and creating two goals over 22 Premier League games this season.
Giovanni Simeone (ST): Cagliari star offered to West Ham after failed January swoop
West Ham explored strengthening Moyes’ attack this January with a loan deal for Giovanni Simeone of Cagliari, per TEAMtalk. But as the striker was already on loan at Hellas Verona, he could not then represent a third club in the same term so any possible deal fell through.
Moyes has got a second chance at landing the son of Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone, though. The Times now report Simeone has been offered to West Ham as Moyes strives to sign a striker, after scoring 17 and creating six goals over his 36 Serie A games this season.
With West Ham also interested in Aguerd, Brownhill and Sarr moving to east London, plus Lingard returning and keeping Areola, the Cagliari striker could prove to be one of five new signings to secure starting roles in Moyes’ XI next term to help challenge for Europe again.
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