Sean Whetstone has doubled down on West Ham United’s transfer targets for the January window.
West Ham are currently in the process of offloading players to clear space in the squad and satisfy FFP rules.
That is underway with the departure of Thilo Kehrer to Monaco in a deal which will eventually see West Ham recoup most of their original £10.5m outlay.
Others players are expected to follow Kehrer out of the Hammers exit door with the likes of Said Benrahma, Nayef Aguerd, Maxwel Cornet, Danny Ings and Nayef Aguerd – for the right money – available.
It was reported over Christmas that West Ham must focus on signing players of homegrown status.
Despite that, the Hammers continue to be linked with a plethora of targets who do not tick the homegrown box.
Now a board confidant has spoken on the matter.
Sean Whetstone has doubled down on West Ham transfer targets for the January window.
And, as previously reported, he insists West Ham will be looking to sign players classed as homegrown in the January transfer window.
“West Ham will prioritise targeting transfer targets who are classified as home-grown players,” Whetstone said in an update.
“Six of the current eight homegrown players have uncertain futures at West Ham with (Michail) Antonio, Ings, (Aaron) Cresswell, (Ben) Johnson, (Conor) Coventry and (Joseph) Anang all living on borrowed time at West Ham.
“Only Jarrod Bowen and James Ward Prowse can be considered as guaranteed first team starters going forward.
“To have a squad of 25 in the Premier League clubs must name eight homegrown players in their squad lists over the age of 21.”
What is a homegrown player?
The homegrown player rule has a relatively straightforward definition, although it does contain some caveats.
For a player to be considered homegrown, they must have played for a club affiliated to the English Football Association for at least three years before turning 21. Crucially, though, they do not have to be English.
On the flip side, a player’s nationality does not necessarily ensure they are homegrown. For example, Saint-Etienne goalkeeper Etienne Green – who has been linked with a move to West Ham in the past – plays in goal for England Under-21s. But he would not be classified as such if he was to join a Premier League club.
Which targets tick the box?
Some of the players linked with the Hammers of late who would qualify as homegrown include:
- Kyle Walker-Peters
- Max Kilman
- Reiss Nelson
- Eddie Nketiah
- Harry Maguire
- Joe Worrall
- Cameron Pring
- Dominic Solanke
- Armando Broja
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