West Ham have launched an underwhelming but clever transfer bid to solve a big issue facing new boss Julen Lopetegui.
West Ham technical director Tim Steidten and new boss Julen Lopetegui have a massive rebuild on their hands this summer.
The Hammers may need to sign between eight to 10 players with a striker, full-backs and two centre-backs an absolute must.
That’s before you consider potential replacements if Lucas Paqueta departs.
Or indeed squad depth beyond that for each position.
West Ham also have a major issue on their hands when it comes to satisfying Premier League rules over homegrown players.
The Homegrown Player Rule dictates that West Ham and their rivals must have a maximum of 17 non-homegrown players and the squad size is a maximum of 25. This means that in a full squad of 25 players, at least eight must be homegrown.
One area many may be overlooking for the summer rebuild is the goalkeeper department.
But as a former goalkeeper himself, it seems it’s going to be the first port of call for Lopetegui.
Lopetegui addresses goalkeeping department
Lukasz Fabianski has already signed a secret one-year extension to stay as West Ham’s number two next term.
Alphonse Areola will undoubtedly be number one.
But the future of academy graduate Joseph Anang is unclear.
Anang, 23, counts as a homegrown player for West Ham. He is currently third choice goalkeeper behind Areola and Fabianski.
Ghana-born Anang has also notably become Mohammed Kudus’ best friend at the club.
Many clubs opt to have an experienced goalkeeper who ticks the “homegrown” box as their third-choice. If for no other reason than to help towards fulfilling that quota.
While Anang ticks the homegrown box, he has little to no experience. And when Areola and Fabianski have been missing at times, Anang has found himself an injury or red card away from being thrown in at the deep end.
Nobody knows whether he would sink or swim. But it’s a big risk to take.
Now it seems Lopetegui is putting a plan into action.
West Ham launch move for Foderingham
West Ham have launched an underwhelming but clever transfer bid to solve a big issue.
According to journalist Alan Nixon, West Ham are making a move to sign 33-year-old goalkeeper Wes Foderingham from relegated Sheffield United.
“West Ham are keen to throw keeper Wes Foderingham a Premier League lifeline after he left Sheffield United,” Sun reporter Nixon reports as an exclusive on his Patreon.
“The experienced shot stopper is a free agent and Hammers are interested in taking him on as cover.”
While this will not set pulses racing at West Ham, it could actually be a wise signing.
Foderingham has plenty of experience so will beef up West Ham’s goalkeeping department.
He is available on a free so costs West Ham nothing. He will be coming in with his eyes wide open to the fact he will not be the number one. And, perhaps most crucially, he counts as a homegrown player too.
Underwhelming but clever bid to solve big issue
The Hammersmith-born stopper has played nearly 500 games in his career for the likes of the Blades, and Rangers having started off at Fulham.
West Ham fans may remember him as the man who felt the wrath of club legend Paolo Di Canio when he was managing Swindon Town.
Di Canio substituted Foderingham after just 21 minutes with Swindon 2-0 down.
Foderingham reacted angrily to his substitution, kicking a water bottle as he left the pitch, before storming down the tunnel.
Hammers hero Di Canio publicly criticised Foderingham after the game and claimed that if he did not apologise for his actions, he would be “out” of the club.
Suffice to say Foderingham later issued an apology, which was accepted by Di Canio.
You can see Foderingham in action in the video below.
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