West Ham United could take advantage of Newcastle United if Steve Bruce takes the Magpies down.
Moyes will make definite decision on Celtic approach claims insider close to owners
While David Moyes leads West Ham’s Champions League charge, Newcastle are looking increasingly doomed to the drop.
West Ham are just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea going into the run-in.
Contrasting seasons for West Ham and Newcastle as dark clouds gather over St James’s Park
But at the other end of the table Fulham are just two points behind Newcastle and the dark clouds have been gathering around St James’s Park.
Moyes and Bruce are old pals in football and both have been around the managerial block.
But the Scot could exploit the situation if the Magpies do drop come what May to solve two problem positions at West Ham.
The Hammers needed another striker and central midfielder last summer.
That was BEFORE Sebastien Haller was sold to Ajax in January, leaving West Ham with injury-prone converted winger Michail Antonio as their only senior striker.
Moyes has got lucky this season in that brilliant midfield duo Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek have been ever presents.
Moyes can take advantage and solve two big problems if old pal Bruce drops
Because West Ham have a shocking lack of options beyond that.
By comparison Newcastle have – in terms of squad numbers at least – an embarrassment of riches compared to West Ham.
And two of Newcastle’s stars have been coveted by West Ham for some time.
Both Jonjo Shelvey (Sky Sports) and Callum Wilson (The Sun) have long been linked with moves to West Ham.
Shelvey is a former West Ham academy star and spoke out about speculation linking him with a return to his boyhood club last summer (Sky Sports).
Moyes was reportedly very keen on Wilson in the summer.
But finances were an issue for West Ham and the striker joined Newcastle where he has scored 10 goals in 21 games. That’s more than any Hammers player so far this season.
Wilson could be on for back-to-back relegations despite his goals.
Proven and experienced heads Shelvey and Wilson just what Moyes needs to help transition to Red Bull model?
Newcastle – like any club – will have to cut their cloth accordingly if they drop.
And West Ham may well be able to finally land Shelvey and Wilson.
It would solve two Moyes headaches in one fell swoop.
Moyes is building a new-look West Ham around young, energetic players hungry to prove themselves in the top flight.
Both Shelvey and Wilson are 29 so may not fit that particular Red Bull inspired recruitment policy.
But Moyes has admitted himself he made need a few 28/29-year-olds during West Ham’s transition which he has repeatedly warned will not be done overnight (whufc.com).
A cut price Wilson and Shelvey could be just those players if Newcastle do fall back into the Championship.
Moyes has four free transfers in his sights for summer claims ExWHUemployee
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
