West Ham are not messing around ahead of the January transfer window as the club looks to revamp the big rebuild started in the summer.
West Ham fans wondering whether the club will be active in January have their answer.
Tim Steidten, Julen Lopetegui and David Sullivan worked together to sign nine players in the summer.
Twelve were also let go in a mammoth 21-player squad rebuild.
It was much needed after David Moyes left West Ham with the smallest and second oldest squad in the Premier League.
The Hammers’ summer activity was hailed the best in the top flight at the time.
There has been much criticism over some of the deals since, though.
Especially as Lopetegui struggled to get a tune out of his new-look squad.
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The signings of Niclas Fullkrug and Luis Guilherme for a combined £45m have been questioned.
Meanwhile the jury has been out on a number of others including Guido Rodriguez, Jean-Clair Todibo and Carlos Soler.
Tim Steidten technical director of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brentford FC at London Stadium on February 26, 2024 in London, England. Inset, Luis Guilherme, Niclas Fullkrug, Jean-Clair Todibo, and Guido Rodriguez.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
West Ham show signs of life after summer rebuild
However, there were serious signs of life as West Ham beat Newcastle 2-0 on Monday night.
The manner of the performance in the shock victory impressed fans and media alike.
Suddenly West Ham had an identity, were working harder and showing resilience.
There was a verve to the way the team played. Lopetegui had his team attacking and defending as a unit.
A number of the summer signings were key to the win too.
Soler was brilliant on just his second start. The Spaniard pulled the strings in midfield and brought the best out of Lucas Paqueta.
West Ham delivered some exciting news about Soler’s future after the game.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Max Kilman and Crysencio Summerville were also excellent.
Victory gives the Hammers, now just four points off sixth-placed Spurs, new hope.
It says everything about the fickle nature of modern football that technical director Steidten was serenaded by fans after the game.
The German has been a scapegoat for many after the awful start.
The summer window was not perfect, though.
And it seems West Ham are ready to hold their hands up to that fact and continue to tweak the squad ahead of the winter window.
Hammers rebuild far from done
Because ruthless West Ham agree fee with club for first deal of rebuild revamp in January.
Two of the big problem post summer window has been midfield and up front.
The Hammers have been criticised for failing to bring in young, powerful players in those positions.
Argentine midfielder Rodriguez turns 31 this season and Fullkrug will be 32 in the new year.
Both have failed to impress and – according to reports over the international break – Rodriguez and Fullkrug both regret signing for West Ham and want to leave in January.
It’s been seen as proof the club were wrong to sign players of that age profile.
In the past West Ham would have been lumbered with bad signings for most of their contract. Having to either loan them out or pay them off to leave.
From Alvaro Arbeloa to Jack Wilshere, Felipe Anderson and a host of others.
And that would stop the club being able to make vital signings to improve the team and squad.
Split image of Tim Steidten and Julen Lopetegui.
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Ruthless West Ham agree fee for first deal of revamp
Well there will be none of that this January it seems.
West Ham have been linked with six exciting young stars to continue the rebuild in the coming windows.
Now it seems Steidten and co are gearing up to clear space for arrivals by agreeing to cut their losses on Rodriguez.
According to Info Real Betis, West Ham have confirmed to Rodriguez’s former club that they are open to letting him leave in January.
The site states a member of the Hammers hierarchy – likely Steidten – has already announced to Betis they will let Rodriguez return to them.
And a fee of £2.5m has been agreed.
That is the around West Ham paid Rodriguez in a signing on bonus as a free agent.
Betis are reported trying to play hard ball over any fee, insisting he first returns on loan.
But West Ham are in no mood to be bartered with and will sell at that paltry fee to raise funds and clear space on the wage bill for January additions.
It is reported again that Rodriguez is unhappy in east London.
Especially now he has lost his place in the team and in former Hammer Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina squad.
Now it is important West Ham upgrade if and when they do sell Rodriguez.
There’s a possibility Edson Alvarez and Fullkrug might be sold too in January as they are also unhappy.
That would help raise funds for new additions.
West Ham United's Guido Rodríguez during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Aston Villa FC at London Stadium on August 17, 202...
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Three possible replacements as Hammers offload Rodriguez
Let’s look at three possible replacements who would help transform West Ham’s engine room from old and immobile to for Rodriguez.
Javi Guerra, Valencia, £15m
One of the players being linked with a move to West Ham is Valencia’s Javi Guerra.
The 21-year-old Spaniard is a box-to-box midfielder with high energy and athleticism who can play in defensive midfield and attacking midfield.
Guerra is the kind of dynamic, versatile player Steidten had suggested he would be signing.
He has 56 La Liga appearances to his name for Valencia as well as five goals and an assist.
Graeme Bailey revealed West Ham have been watching Guerra closely and want to try and bring him in before he gets full international honours and his value – said to be around £20-25m – rockets.
Jobe Bellingham, Sunderland, £20m
The Hammers are said to be genuinely interested in signing Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland.
The brother of England and Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham, has been coming of age for Sunderland in the Championship this season.
The 19-year-old has two goals and an assist in 12 games so far. But his brilliant average match rating of 7.3/10 speaks to how his all-round game has helped Sunderland put themselves in the promotion mix.
It’s been claimed West Ham want Bellingham mark two and are preparing a £20m move. Others are interested but a move to London and a chance to be a key cog in the rebuild at a big club could appeal.
A central midfield of Bellingham and Guerra would change West Ham from old, slow and immobile to young, tenacious, athletic and powerful. The duo lack experience but Tomas Soucek would be there to provide that.
James McAtee, Man City, loan with option
Journalist Alan Nixon revealed recently that West Ham want James McAtee from Man City.
The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg then added further credibility to the claim by doubling down on that news.
McAtee is an exciting midfielder and at 22 is a great age. He enjoyed an impressive loan stint with Sheffield United over the last two years as he scored 14 goals and bagged eight assists in 75 appearances.
But he has played just one minute in the Premier League for Man City this season, despite their catalogue of injuries.
West Ham are said to want to take advantage. Man City may be open to a loan with option or obligation to buy in January, which would suit the Hammers down to the ground.
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