West Ham United will be looking for a much better summer than the one they endured last year.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic
A report from Sky Sports has suggested that the West Ham board plan to back Slaven Bilic during the summer transfer window, and has disclosed the two positions the Croatian wants to strengthen as a priority.
Most Hammers fans will admit that they endured a pretty miserable window last summer, with none of their acquisitions really staking a claim to Bilic that they deserve to hold down a regular spot in the team.
But after a much more promising January window – the Irons landed Jose Fonte and Robert Snodgrass – Sky Sports have suggested that the board are ready to open the chequebook at the end of the season, which will surely please West Ham fans who were sceptical about the owners spending money on players.
And Sky Sports adds that the club plan to target a new right-back as well as a striker, which is arguably hardly surprising given the form of some of their players this season.
Right-back has arguably been West Ham’s problem position this term, with several players being used in the role, but none really proving themselves to be adequate in the position. A recent report from Sky Sports suggested that a deal for Saint-Etienne’s Kevin Malcuit was in the pipeline, and this latest update would certainly suggest that it would be a surprise if the Frenchman did not end up at the London Stadium.
Meanwhile, Bilic also wants a new goalscorer. Andy Carroll is the Hammers’ highest scoring striker in the Premier League this year, but only has six goals to his name which is undoubtedly not enough if they hope to break back into the top seven.
But with several forwards signed last summer and enjoying virtually no success, it must surely be an idea for West Ham to consider making fewer signings and instead focus on adding quality as the recent weeks have shown that they do have the foundations of a good team and could be elevated by one of two star players, rather than six or seven squad members.
Who should West Ham target this summer?
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