West Ham United will be pushing for those European spots if they continue to add players to their squad and keep hold of their best talents ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
Former West Ham United goalkeeper Jimmy Walker has claimed that the fans will take to the London Stadium ‘even more’ if the club sign more players this summer and keep hold of their star men.
In recent weeks, Manchester United have shown interest in Hammers centre-back Issa Diop [Daily Mail], whilst the club have secured the signature of highly-rated Spanish midfielder Pablo Fornals [BBC Sport].
There’s no doubt that West Ham will be adding more fresh faces to their squad before the new season kicks off in August, but it remains to be seen whether the likes of Diop will still be at the club.
Former Upton Park player Walker urged the club to keep hold of the big-name players and take that next step in trying to reach Europe.
“I think it’s a massive time for West Ham now,” Walker told Love Sport Radio. “They’re sort of at a crossroads at the minute. With the new stadium, I think everyone is starting to get back on board a little bit.
“If the fans see improvement on the pitch and the signings and they’re keeping players like Diop a £70million player, and they can bat those bids off then I think the fans will take to the new stadium even more because that’s what it was there for. I love Upton Park along with everyone else that went. It was a fantastic atmosphere but it had a ceiling.
“With the new stadium it was sold to the fans and new players as ‘this is to take us to the Champions League’ and the facilities there are unbelievable. So if they can bat these off offers and go and buy people like Fornels then the fans will definitely be on board and I can only see a bright future for West Ham if they can bat those offers off.”
Manager Manuel Pellegrini is well aware of what it’s like to compete at the top end of the Premier League table, with the Chilean having title wins to his name from his days at Manchester City.
He also has had success on the domestic circuit in England and that is another area West Ham supporters will be target for success next term.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
