Julen Lopetegui is clearly feeling emboldened by West Ham’s shock win at Newcastle as he makes a new demand of Tim Steidten.
West Ham want to sign Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland according to recent reports.
Many believe Julen Lopetegui may have come up with a formula to fix West Ham’s geriatric midfield.
The middle of the park has been West Ham’s biggest problem so far under the Spaniard.
But a midfield three of Carlos Soler, Lucas Paqueta and Tomas Soucek worked really well in a shock 2-0 win at Newcastle.
It remains to be seen whether that can be sustained of course.
Regardless of that, West Ham have very few viable options beyond that trio.
Guido Rodriguez and Edson Alvarez both lack the pace and mobility to be top players in that position in the Premier League.
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And they are two of three players who allegedly want to leave West Ham in January according to recent information from two top sources.
One player West Ham do ‘definitely’ want to bring in is Bellingham from Sunderland.
That’s according to former England player Carlton Palmer who claims he knows for a fact the Hammers are looking to sign Bellingham in January.
That came after a recent report stated West Ham are genuinely interested in Bellingham.
Split image of Tim Steidten and Julen Lopetegui.
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Bullish Lopetegui demands action amid Bellingham links
The brother of Real Madrid superstar Jude has been coming of age for Sunderland in the Championship this season.
The 19-year-old has developed into a serious physical specimen like his brother. There is even talk he could surpass Jude in terms of talent levels.
Bellingham has two goals and an assist in 12 games so far for the Black Cats.
His average match rating of 7.3/10 shows just good his all-round game has been.
It’s been claimed the Hammers are preparing a £20m move as Steidten looks to continue the West Ham overhaul in a bid to lower the age of the Premier League’s oldest squad.
Money due to PSR could be an issue, though.
The Irons spent around £105m net in the summer.
They will need to offload players to raise further funds and clear squad space for additions.
Selling the likes of Rodriguez and Alvarez would help.
There’s talk Niclas Fullkrug already wants out too and could be sold in January.
Jobe Bellingham of Sunderland celebrates after he scores the opening goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland AFC and Oxford U...
Photo by |Martin Swinney/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Hammers boss wants Steidten to sell Ward-Prowse
Now bullish Lopetegui demands action from Tim Steidten over a £30m West Ham star amid the Bellingham links.
After 18 goal contributions in his debut season, Lopetegui’s decision to let James Ward-Prowse leave for Premier League rivals Forest divided opinion among many.
Besides set-pieces, Ward-Prowse’s contribution in open play has been questioned at West Ham.
There’s no doubt those set pieces have been missed, though. That was highlighted by the fact the Hammers scored their first goal from a corner all season at Newcastle – at the 51st attempt.
According to The Athletic and Give Me Sport, Lopetegui feels vindicated in his decision to let Ward-Prowse leave.
It’s claimed the 30-year-old midfielder isn’t doing enough on loan at Forest to impress Lopetegui and change his mind over his future.
Ward-Prowse has made only five Premier League starts for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side since joining.
Many Forest fans have been unimpressed with Ward-Prowse, noting how limited he is in open play.
West Ham will clearly have to take a loss on the £30m they paid Southampton for the English midfielder.
But Lopetegui is demanding Steidten line up a buyer for Ward-Prowse as soon as possible.
That comes amid the links to Bellingham, 11 years his junior, who offers so much more dynamism to the team.
West Ham have also been linked with young, all-action Spanish midfielder Javi Guerra of Valencia.
Should Steidten find a buyer for Ward-Prowse and ship out Alvarez and Rodriguez then that could be on the cards too with Valencia reportedly willing to sell at £15-20m.
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