During the English transfer window, West Ham were interested in signing Victor Wanyama on loan from Tottenham Hotspur (The Express). But that move fell through and West Ham once again completed a transfer window without signing a new defensive midfielder.
Wanyama is out of favour at Tottenham so he then had to look at clubs from abroad. Once the English window shut, his only option was to join a European team. Wanyama looked set to join Club Brugge but that collapsed on deadline day (London Evening Standard).
With no late interest in the powerful midfielder, he was forced to remain at Tottenham. He will be stuck there until January at the earliest. This is when West Ham need to reignite their interest in him.
Victor Wanyama in, Carlos Sanchez out
Wanyama is exactly the type of midfielder West Ham have been looking for. He is strong, tenacious and able to sit in front of the back four to provide protection. The 56-cap Kenya international is also vastly experienced with almost 200 appearances in England to his name (during spells with Southampton and Spurs).
West Ham failed to sign a new holding midfielder in the summer but this needs to be Manuel Pellegrini’s priority in January. If Declan Rice suffers an injury, West Ham will be exposed through the middle.
Rice needs another player to compete, rotate and (against the bigger sides) play alongside him. Wanyama would be the ideal candidate for this role, rather than misfiring veteran Carlos Sanchez.
Tottenham seem to be ready to let the 28-year-old leave. He is within West Ham’s budget – provided Spurs work with the Hammers – and would fix a problem position in East London.
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