West Ham are set to bring in some new faces come summer after manager Sam Allardyce declared he would like to sign around 5 players to add some more strength and much needed depth at the club.
Speculation as of late has been rife in regards to prolific goal-scorer Wilfred Bony who currently plays for Arnhem Vitesse. The Ivorian striker has also been labelled the ‘Next Didier Drogba’. Bony has apparently been in talks with the Hammers over recent weeks but reports suggest that it was nothing more than a publicity stunt from his agent to gather interest from bigger Premier League outfits. Bony could well be a great addition to the West Ham side with his finishing abilities that have been so dearly missed since Dean Ashton’s forced retirement. It is expected that any deal would consists of at least a £15 million pound deal and wages that could be the best of £70,000 per week.
Bony isn’t the only striker on West Ham’s radar with on loan Englishman Andy Carroll topping the shortlist. Carroll has bagged 5 goals for the Hammers this season and Sam Allardyce would love to make him a permanent signing as the dominant striker fits perfectly into his plans. Any deal that could potentially take place would be a huge one for West Ham in terms of money as it is touted that they and parent club Liverpool have already agreed a price of £17 million. Carroll would also demand high wages that could well be too much for the East London outfit.
Allardyce has been looking for goalkeepers recently and this could be due to stopper Jussi Jaaskelainen’s age. Jaaskelainen has had a superb season for West Ham, but looks surplus to requirements for next season as the Hammers look for better options. West Ham lack goalkeeping options. Goalkeepers on the shortlist consist of Manchester United’s Andres Lindergaard who could well prove a good signing. Lindergaard is second in the pecking order at United behind David De Gea and it would cost no more than £5 million to bring him to Upton Park.
There is no depth in the defence with just three centre backs in James Tomkins, Winston Reid, and James Collins, however we do have Emmanual Pogatetz on loan. We should definitely look to bring in another centre back come summer, and it may have to be a cheap option from abroad as English players have rocketing price tags.
I can probably see Allardyce moving for 1 or 2 defenders with at least one being a full back, as Guy Demel looks a bit shakey at times.
The midfield looks pretty much the piece but reports suggest Mohammed Diame is seeking a move, however he did rejects Champions League football to join us first time round, so what could have changed? Allardyce is probably set to offload big mouthed Allou Diarra who insulted West Ham posterior to his loan move. Just as well, who wants a player that doesn’t like the club? Me for one.
The potential our team could have is great, but we need the correct replacements.
Vaz Te and Matthey Taylor could face the axe in summer and wingers are also being looked at.
Which goalkeeper, fullback, centre back, winger and striker would you like to see arrive at Upton Park next season?