After the Euros now it is back to the real stuff as West Ham set their sights on five more signings starting with a striker.
England failed to emulate the West Ham heroes of 1966 once again with a 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday night.
It brings to a close what has been one of the dullest international tournaments in living memory.
Not just for West Ham fans, who had very little representation across the piece.
But for all supporters with very few memorable goals, moments or matches.
There was no lack of irony that Gareth Southgate did not use West Ham star Jarrod Bowen with the game in the balance against Spain.
Now back to the real stuff
Of all England’s players, Hammers talisman Bowen is the only one who has scored the winning goal in a European final – just last year no less.
Southgate has drawn comparisons to former West Ham boss David Moyes with the way he sets up.
And for West Ham fans watching England has had a distinct sense of deja vu in many ways.
A collection of talented attacking players but a style of play that simply does not get the best out of them.
What’s done is done, though.
Although West Ham’s new head coach Julen Lopetegui – himself a former Spain boss – will undoubtedly be happy.
Now it’s back to the real stuff as West Ham set their sights on five more signings starting with a striker.
West Ham set sights on five more signings
The Hammers are planning to bring in eight new signings as part of a major overhaul for Lopetegui.
Technical director Tim Steidten has been flying back and forth to Brazil, Germany and pretty much here, there everywhere to that end.
West Ham have brought in Luis Guilherme, Wes Foderingham and Max Kilman so far to the tune of around £60m.
The club now wants to sign a new striker, a versatile full-back who can, preferably, play on both sides, a central midfielder, another centre-back and a wide attacker who can play off the left.
So there’s no time to waste and things should now become a bit easier for Steidten with both the Euros and Copa America out of the way.
Next on West Ham’s agenda is a striker.
There had been talk a move for Colombia forward Jhon Duran would accelerate this week following the Copa America final, which they lost to Argentina.
But the top spokesman at the club exclusively told Hammers News at the weekend that West Ham won’t pay Villa’s £35m asking price.
So unless Villa lower their valuation that deal won’t be happening.
New striker a top priority but Walker-Peters could be next
Armando Broja, Youssef En-Nesyri and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are among those also on West Ham’s striker shortlist.
Although bringing in a new forward is the current priority at West Ham, a deal for a right-back might actually be signing number four.
Southampton confirmed yesterday that they are signing AZ Alkmaar’s Sugawara. And Saints boss Russell Martin all but confirmed he will be the club’s new first choice right-back.
So it seems highly likely Kyle Walker-Peters could be on his way to West Ham imminently.
Signing Walker-Peters will put an end to West Ham’s interest in Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
In central defence West Ham remain interested in Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo and Lyon’s Jake O’Brien.
But a deal for RB Salzburg’s Oumar Solet now looks more likely given he is available for around £8m after entering the final year of his contract. Especially after it was reported Solet has made it clear he wants to move.
Downes and Irving situations need clarity
Matias Soule is back on the radar for West Ham’s attacking position.
But central midfield is perhaps the most intriguing. It seems Lopetegui – according to Southampton boss Martin – may want to keep Flynn Downes.
Or it could be some brinkmanship from the Hammers.
Either way, central midfield targets probably won’t become clearer until Downes is sold – if indeed he is at all.
There is also the strange situation surrounding Scottish midfielder Andy Irving.
The former Hearts player was signed as part of an agreement with Austria Klagenfurt. He has been in pre-season training with the Hammers.
But he was nowhere near making a dire Scotland squad for the Euros. So there will be question marks over whether he has the ability to step up to Premier League level with West Ham.
Hammers fans may get to see Irving and new boys Guilherme, Foderingham and Kilman in action when West Ham take on Hungarian side Ferencvaros in their first game under Lopetegui in Austria on Monday afternoon.
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