A respected source has shared some seriously exciting news about West Ham signing a quartet of stars soon.
West Ham have a reputation of leaving their transfer business late down the years.
That was even the case last summer when Edson Alvarez became West Ham’s first signing just days before the new season started.
The Hammers did have something of an excuse, though.
Technical director Tim Steidten had only just arrived having left Bayer Leverkusen a few months prior in search of a fresh challenge.
And David Moyes had the power of veto stipulated in his contract, meaning West Ham’s window took time to get going as the duo tried to reach compromises over targets.
This summer things are very different.
Moyes has departed after doing a first class job in east London. Now Steidten has full control of all recruitment.
His first decision – in conjunction with new head coach Julen Lopetegui – has been to sign Luis Guilherme.
West Ham turning into window early birds?
While an exciting addition, the 18-year-old is not the kind of transfer Moyes would have signed off on at West Ham.
The Scot preferred tried and trusted players, preferably with Premier League or Championship pedigree.
Those players come with an added premium, though. And, if reports that West Ham have £100m – plus any further cash raised through sales – to spend on eight players are accurate then that’s a premium the Hammers can’t really afford right now.
Certainly not for all their new signings.
In the main Steidten and Lopetegui seem to be looking at players aged between 18 and 25, many of whom are going into the final year of their contracts.
With so many signings needed, West Ham have little time to waste.
The Hammers have already broken the mould of previous windows by getting a major deal done very early on. Before the window had even officially opened in fact.
Now a respected source has shared some seriously exciting news about West Ham signing a quartet soon.
West Ham want to sign quartet soon
The Times has been reporting on the latest transfer news coming out of the London Stadium.
The report makes it clear that Max Kilman is the main focus of West Ham’s attention right now.
Having captured Guilherme, it also doubles down on the fact that three of the other seven signings they want to make are defenders.
But most exciting of all – especially given the club’s reputation for leaving things too late in the window – is that The Times states West Ham now want to have signed a quartet of new stars in time for the start of pre-season.
And that is just TWO weeks away.
“West Ham plan to sign up to three defenders after conceding 74 goals this season, the fourth-highest figure in the top flight,” the report states.
“West Ham hope to add four players for the start of pre-season and have already agreed a £25.5million deal to sign Luis Guilherme, the 18-year-old Palmeiras forward.”
Earlier this month journalist Jacob Steinberg named all eight positions West Ham are looking to strengthen.
When unveiling the Brazil Under 20 star, Steidten said Guilherme appealed to West Ham due to his versatility to play across ‘all attacking positions’.
Hammers want four players signed by first week of July
And the German stated that such versatility is a key metric in West Ham’s recruitment philosophy this summer.
The claim that West Ham want to sign three defenders should not be read as three centre-backs, though.
The Hammers do want two new centre halves. But a full-back – perhaps one who can operate on both flanks – is also being targeted.
On Friday Hammers News reported how West Ham’s transfer activity has burst back into life] this week.
And now we know why after The Times’ claim that Lopetegui and Steidten want another three signings in for the first week of July.
Getting four players in for the start of pre-season would be unprecedented for West Ham in the modern era.
It would certainly give Lopetegui a better chance to moulding his new-look team ready for the start of the new season.
One of those is expected to be veteran goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.
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