West Ham have been linked with Jonathan David and Angel Gomes ad nauseum but it’s time to start living in the real world.
West Ham’s board have been telling anyone who will listen there’s no money to spend this summer unless players are sold.
That does not mean Graham Potter and Kyle Macaulay won’t be able to spend.
David Ornstein was named journalist of the year once again this week.
And the Athletic’s transfer insider claims West Ham are using smoke and mirrors tactics and will be active in the summer to rebuild the squad for Potter.
Time for West Ham to forget David and Gomes
That may be the case but money is tight due to PSR for a number of reasons:
A lack of European football
£80m losses on the horizon
The fact the club has already spent all £69m of transfer money owed to them after doing a deal with Barclays
Less merit payment money from unexpectedly low Premier League finish
As a result, West Ham plan to make over £100m in player sales.
It is no surprise the club has been heavily linked with a host of free agents ahead of the summer.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
Canada striker Jonathan David and England midfielder Angel Gomes are both targets for Potter.
The pair continue to be linked on a daily basis.
While Gomes is a more realistic possibility than 177-goal David, West Ham need to face facts.
Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images
10 realistic free agents cash-strapped West Ham can sign
With no European football to offer there is little to no chance of signing either.
David could not have made things any clearer this week.
Linked with half of Europe’s elite clubs, David has already said the club he chooses will be competing for titles and in the Champions League.
So it’s time to move on and forget the Lille duo.
It must be taken into account the fact Potter and Macaulay are predominantly targeting younger players.
Although the availability of some slightly more experienced players for no fee may prove tempting depending on how things work out for the Hammers in terms of sales.
Here’s 10 free agents cash-strapped West Ham can realistically sign this summer.
Olivier Boscagli, centre-back and left-back
PSV Eindhoven star Olivier Boscagli is a former French under 21 centre-back who can also play at left-back. The 27-year-old has been a near ever-present in PSV’s side for the last six years. But his time in Holland is coming to an end and he is available on a free this summer. Brighton, Spurs and Dortmund have been credited with an interest.
Frank Anguissa, central midfielder
At 29, Frank Anguissa may not be the profile Potter and Macaulay are necessarily looking for to rejuvenate an ageing midfield. But despite a mixed time at Fulham, Cameroon international Anguissa has been a revelation at Napoli, helping them win a first title in 33 years. Looks set to be available on a free and is a combative midfield general who possesses a lot more agility and running power than West Ham’s current offering.
Tyrick Mitchell, left-back
The emergence of Ollie Scarles has been a major positive in West Ham’s dismal season. Emerson Palmieri is out of favour, inconsistent and one of the players who could be sold this summer. Meanwhile Aaron Cresswell is turning 36 next season. So West Ham will need another left-back and Crystal Palace ace Tyrick Mitchell looks a fantastic capture on a free this summer. The 25-year-old has been excellent for Palace. That will likely mean a host of rival suitors, but the Hammers should be throwing their hat in the ring. Having Mitchell one side and Aaron Wan-Bissaka the other would make for a formidable full-back pairing.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, striker
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been linked with West Ham for several windows under David Moyes, Julen Lopetegui and, in January, Potter too. On his day when fit and firing, Calvert-Lewin can be a top centre-forward. Unfortunately injury means those days are too few and far between. At 28, the Everton striker should still have some of his best years ahead of him. Do West Ham take a chance that could be with them or learn from their many lessons in the past to avoid injury-prone strikers like the plague. The problem is the Hammers need at least two strikers this summer, possibly three. A lack of funds may not give the club much choice to bring in one more experienced striker on a free as back-up. In that scenario Calvert-Lewin could be a good option.
Photo by Miguel Lemos/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Miguel Lemos/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Kyle Walker-Peters, full-back
West Ham were in talks to sign Kyle Walker-Peters last summer but brought in Wan-Bissaka instead. A deal could not be reached because West Ham were only offering a token amount due to the Southampton ace being out of contract this summer. The fact Walker-Peters can play just as well at left-back as he does on his natural right hand side is a huge plus for the Hammers who need versatile players. Especially if Vladimir Coufal and Emerson leave, they could bring in Walker-Peters for nothing knowing he can fill in on both sides. He continues to be linked with a move to east London and at 27, with plenty of pace, is a very decent option. Walker-Peters will also fill a homegrown player slot.
Josh Brownhill, central midfielder
Burnley ace Josh Brownhill is another who has been linked with West Ham for some time now. The combative and energetic star is available on a free and at 29, it’s his last chance for a big move. Like with a number of other free agents this summer, the fact he is English is a key factor for the homegrown status quota. But will Potter want another midfielder close to his 30s?
Alex Meret, goalkeeper
West Ham may need to bring in a new goalkeeper this summer with Lukasz Fabianski turning 40 and Alphonse Areola’s future uncertain. The club has recently been linked with the likes of James Trafford and Aaron Ramsdale. That suggests Potter may be wanting to start afresh with a new long-term goalkeeper signing. But it’s hard to see West Ham spending a big portion of their budget on a goalkeeper when other areas are arguably in more urgent need of repair. Alex Meret, 28, is leaving Napoli this summer and was linked with West Ham in January. He could be an option to compete with Areola for the number one spot if Fabianski moves on after links with a return to Poland.
Tariq Lamptey, full-back
Tariq Lamptey knows Potter very well from their time at Brighton. He was brilliant when he first burst on the Premier League scene under West Ham’s manager. Things have tailed off a bit for London-born Lamptey in recent seasons and persistent injuries have been an issue. That might be reason enough to avoid. But at 24 and with bags of pace, he fits the profile Potter and Macaulay like. Lamptey can also play on the right and left and versatility will be key for the Hammers.
Krépin Diatta, winger and forward
Krépin Diatta is a Senegalese winger and forward who plays for Monaco and his national team. The 26-year-old is pacy and powerful and one of the better attacking free agents available this summer. Rated at over £30m at one time, Diatta has let his contract run down in the hope of a move to the Premier League.
Rayan, winger and forward
At 18 and one of the most promising young wingers in Brazilian football – where have West Ham fans heard that before? – Rayan is one of the star attractions of the summer free agent market. The Vasco da Gama star is electric. But he has a host of Premier League and La Liga clubs on his tail. West Ham should have kept the £20m they paid for Luis Guilherme and put more on the table in a contract to sign Rayan this summer. It would be an ambitious attempt from West Ham to sign the winger. The big difference to Guilherme is that if it doesn’t work out, no transfer fee means no big losses.
Other notable free agents worth considering for West Ham:
Victor Lindelof, 30, centre-back.
Callum Wilson, 33, striker.
Adama Traore, 29, winger.
Nelson Semedo, 31, full-back.
Caleb Willey, 20, left-back.