West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini has spoken for the first time about his summer transfer plans.
Hammers co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold pushed the boat out to bring the Chilean to the club last year.
They then proceeded to back him with £100million worth of new recruits. That level of spending was unprecedented at West Ham.
But it was the kind of outlay Hammers fans had expected after promises were made when they left Upton Park for the London Stadium.
Hammers fans sceptical of club’s ambition
Sceptics believe that splurge may prove to be a one-off.
Particularly after reports suggested he will be given a base budget of just £30million this summer.
Pellegrini will, claim reports, be given any funds raised through player sales.
But traditionally West Ham have proved poor salesmen even for some of their most valuable assets.
Pellegrini discusses summer plans
Now the Hammers boss has opened up on his summer plans in his pre-match press conference but was playing his cards close to his chest.
“I want to do it better next season,” Pellegrini said, as reported by whufc.com.
“I’m always planning with the sporting director but we’re not going to do anything before we finish this season.
“It all depends on a lot of different things that we must analyse.”
More shrewd business expected
That is undoubtedly the need to effectively sell before he can buy.
But shifting deadwood is no easy task.
Hammers fans will be hoping for more shrewd recruitment from Pellegrini and director of football Mario Husillos after some excellent business last summer.
Lukasz Fabianski, Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena have proved bargains.
Andriy Yarmolenko looked a superb signing until his injury while Felipe Anderson has proved worth the record £40million outlay.
Speculation is already rife Pellegrini will try to sell as many as nine players in the close season (Sky Sports).
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