West Ham should prioritise signing a top class full-back in the summer transfer window.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic
West Ham United star Michail Antonio in a recent interview with ESPN said that the Hammers need to reinforce their defence and attack in order to challenge for European places.
“We need to sign a couple of players — a right-back, one more centre-half, two strikers — and get more goals. If we can do that, we will be up there for European places,” he said, as quoted by ESPN.
While Antonio has often played as a full-back this season under Slaven Bilic, he is more effective when used in a more advanced role.
Signing a right-back is a top priority. Here are three players Slaven Bilic (if he stays at all) should consider adding to his squad in the summer transfer window.
Bacary Sagna (Manchester City)
The 34-year-old right back has a contract with Manchester City till June 2017, as per transfermarkt.com. The vastly experienced defender is likely to be released by the club once his contract expires and West Ham should not lose this opportunity to sign him.
According to reports from The Sun, Sagna is keen to return to London, having enjoyed seven years at Arsenal. He still has a lot of football left in him, and would be a good signing for the Hammers.
Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal)
The 25-year-old defender has been with Arsenal since 2011, but after failing to establish himself as a regular member of the side he will be looking for pastures new in the summer.
Arsenal’s Carl Jenkinson in action with Southampton’s Sofiane Boufal
Having already spent two seasons on loan at West Ham, where he made 52 league appearances for the Hammers, it won’t be a bad move if the club try to sign him permanently from their London rivals.
Matteo Darmian (Manchester United)
The Italian right-back enjoyed a reasonably good first season under Louis van Gaal, having made 39 appearances in all competitions. However, Jose Mourinho does not seem to rate him highly enough.
This season he has made only 12 starts in the Premier League, and has been frequently linked with a move away from Old Trafford. West Ham are not direct competitors of United, so the Red Devils could be tempted to sell him if they receive a decent offer in the summer.
Matteo Darmian
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