Reliable and well-known West Ham insider EXWHUEmployee has given a comprehensive transfer update on his podcast.
Talking on his latest The West Ham Way show on Phoenix FM (Wednesday 24th April), EXWHUEmployee told listeners about West Ham’s summer transfer plans.
Two strikers sit at the top of West Ham’s wishlist but Manuel Pellegrini has also identified three other priority positions to strengthen.
Maxi Gomez and Aleksandar Mitrovic
West Ham’s top two targets are both strikers. Celta Vigo’s Maxi Gomez and Fulham star Aleksandar Mitrovic are West Ham’s main priorities this summer.
Gomez, 22, has scored 11 goals for Celta Vigo this season, while 24-year-old Mitrovic has also scored 11 for already-relegated Fulham.
Goalkeeper
West Ham will also be looking for a back-up goalkeeper this summer. Lukasz Fabianski joined last summer and is the frontrunner for the Hammer of the Year award.
But with Adrian’s contract expiring, West Ham need a back-up choice. Youngster Nathan Trott might have hoped to fill this role but it seems Pellegrini wants a new arrival.
Full-back
West Ham will also be looking for a new full-back. This has been a problem area for a while now with Pablo Zabaleta, Ryan Fredericks, Aaron Cresswell and Arthur Masuaku all drifting in and out of form.
Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne has recently been linked (Goal) and academy starlet Ben Johnson will also hope to be given a go next season.
Box-to-box midfielder
The Hammers will be trying to sign a new box-to-box central midfielder this summer. Declan Rice plays the holding role well but West Ham lack a powerful ball-carrying midfielder.
Mark Noble, Carlos Sanchez, Jack Wilshere and Pedro Obiang make up the other central midfield options but Pellegrini is looking for a player with a different profile.