West Ham’s recruitment plans for the summer transfer window will largely depend on the next two games.
The Hammers have yet to learn whether they will be in the Premier League or the Championship next season.
Relegation appears more likely at this stage, so the club should already be looking for Championship targets.
Hammers News recommends signing a Newcastle defender who will be available on a free transfer this summer.
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West Ham should target Kieran Trippier if relegated to the Championship
Kieran Trippier is set to leave Newcastle after a successful four years at the end of the 2025/26 season.
Trippier joined Newcastle in a £12 million deal from Atletico Madrid in January 2022, as he wanted to return to England.
The 35-year-old has since helped the North East club qualify for the Champions League and win the Carabao Cup.
He has even captained Eddie Howe’s side, having developed into a real leader in the latter years of his career.
Trippier will be remembered as one of Newcastle’s greatest players of the Premier League era, but he is no longer at his best.
Assuming that the Englishman does not want to retire, a return to the Championship would make perfect sense.
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The last time Trippier played in the second division (2012/13), he contributed 12 assists as Burnley won promotion.
Although he may not replicate those numbers, Trippier would still be one of the top full-backs in the league.
For a West Ham team that already lacks leaders and could lose Jarrod Bowen, Trippier would be a fantastic addition.
Even if he were the second choice behind Aaron Wan-Bissaka or Kyle Walker-Peters, his presence would benefit the team.
These are the types of shrewd signings West Ham should make if they are relegated, rather than taking expensive gambles.
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