The January transfer window is drawing ever closer, and West Ham United should be one of the more active teams after a disappointing start to the season.
The Hammers have struggled to settle in at their new home, the London Stadium, and still lie just five points clear of the relegation zone even after two straight wins.
Slaven Bilic’s men are in need of some January reinforcements and something of a clearout, with some players clearly not good enough to take West Ham forward.
West Ham United’s Gokhan Tore in action with Accrington Stanley’s Zak Vyner
With that in mind, here is a five-point plan for West Ham United’s January transfer window…
Terminate loan deals
West Ham took three players on loan over the summer, with Gokhan Tore, Jonathan Calleri and Simone Zaza arriving on season-long deals from Besiktas, Deportivo Maldonado and Juventus respectively. Seen as exciting attacking players who could help West Ham going forward, the trio have so far combined for just eight Premier League starts, with no goals from any of them and just the one assist from Turkish winger Tore. The three signings haven’t had the desired effect, and manager Bilic should be looking to send all of them back to their parent clubs in January.
West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet applauds
Finally sign a proven striker
West Ham spent most of the summer looking for a striker who could guarantee them 15-20 goals a season, but came up short as they could only bring in Calleri and Zaza, who have struggled in East London. Juventus star Mario Mandzukic, who worked under Bilic with the Croatian national team, Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson or even Liverpool attacker Daniel Sturridge should all be players on West Ham’s radar, with a loan deal until the end of the season possibly more likely given the Hammers’ budget.
Keep Dimitri Payet
Whilst many West Ham players have struggled this season, one player who continues to impress is Dimitri Payet. The Frenchman was one of the stars of last season, and has been key again this term having hit three goals and five assists this term. The 29-year-old will harbour ambitions of European football, and he didn’t rule out a return to former club Marseille when asked by SFR Sport in France earlier this month. West Ham must pull out all the stops to keep Payet at the London Stadium, as you’d have to wonder just where the Hammers would be in the Premier League table without Payet at the club.
Find a right back
West Ham have struggled to find a consistent right back in recent years, as Carl Jenkinson spent 18 months on loan at the club before returning to Arsenal, Sam Byram has yet to really make an impact since arriving from Leeds United last January, and Spaniard Alvaro Arbeloa has become the forgotten man following his deadline day move to the club. Bilic is currently deploying a 3-4-2-1 system, which has allowed Michail Antonio to play as a wing back, but a natural right back would give Bilic the ability to play a solid four at the back. Bringing Jenkinson back to the club could be a possibility, whilst The Mirror recently claimed that Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Dominic Iorfa is a potential target.
Deal with the Africa Cup of Nations
West Ham will see three players head off to the Africa Cup of Nations in early January, as Cheikhou Kouyate, Sofiane Feghouli and Andre Ayew will be representing Senegal, Algeria and Ghana respectively. Those three players will be missed by Bilic, particularly Kouyate, and the Hammers should consider moves to cope with their departures. Loan moves would be ideal considering that all three will of course return to the London Stadium, and the Daily Express stated earlier this month that West Ham are in talks to take Chelsea youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan.
What would you like to see West Ham do in January?
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