Reforming the Midfield at West Ham United is viewed as January’s top priority: With limited funds after the summer spend, Tim Steidten is looking to improve the squad from the one pace fits all’ failings of Alvarez, Soucek, Soler Paquetá and Rodriguez .
Three of those appear to have discovered a new lease of life, playing with real passion against Newcastle.
The lack of pace and the Paquetá hearing have forced The Hammers to search for an upgrade on Rodriguez, who has been found out as too slow for the Premier League and has already decided that coming here was a mistake. nytimes.com/athletic‘s Roshane Thomas has confirmed that Rayan Cherki is, indeed, on the Hammers’ shortlist and has been scouted:”
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Lyon attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki is among the targets viewed favourably. Cherki has been on West Ham’s radar since December 2023. The 21-year-old’s contract expires in the summer of 2026. This season he has scored three goals and registered three assists in 12 appearances in all competitions.
It is not the first time Steidten has been keen to recruit talent from Ligue 1. Jean-Clair Todibo joined from Nice on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy in August.”
Steidten has identified transfer targets
West Ham’s Tim Steidten has been searching for talent in France
This makes for an exciting January if the interest progresses: described somewhat flatteringly as ‘one of the most skilful players on earth’ Cherki has the pace, skill and age at just 21 years old to be a real prospect to fire West Ham’s midfield performances: “Amid their reported interest in Cherki, West Ham could look to exploit Lyon’s financial difficulties in 2025 to lure the ‘exceptional’ 21-year-old to the Premier League.
Seven-time French champions are likely to sell several key players in January after being provisionally demoted to Ligue 2 due to their finances, with European clubs now eyeing a raid on their finest talents.”
Now, that would be a coup for Steidten to bring another player of the Kudus and Paquetá skill level to London Stadium. £29 million is the suggested price to buy him in January. If Steidten gets a deal done on Aguerd to Sociedad then this one could be ‘go’. Which would be almost as exciting as seeing Niclas Fullkrug on the team sheet!