Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in action for Germany.placeholder image
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in action for Germany. | AFP via Getty Images
Nuno Espirito Santo is expected to want a striker, defender and midfielder to come in at West Ham in January.
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo appears to be slowly turning the tide with back-to-back wins prior to the international break. However, there is still a long way to go in the Premier League this season.
Those vital six points have only lifted the Hammers to 18th in the table with the London outfit still in the drop zone and facing a relegation fight. Nuno is expected to want January arrivals to better equip him to fight off the drop.
With the international break pausing top flight football, LondonWorld looks at the current transfer rumours around West Ham and what a dream XI may look like after the upcoming window.
West Ham dream XI after January transfer window
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Nuno Espirito Santo appears happy enough with Alphonse Areola between the sticks but the goalkeeping position has been a problem for West Ham this season. The Hammers forked out £20 million to sign Mads Hermansen from Leicester City but his car crash early form soon saw him dropped, while Lukasz Fabianski came back to the London Stadium having left as a free agent at the end of last season.
TBR Football claimed at the end of October that Barcelona had offered Ter Stegen to several Premier League clubs, including West Ham. The 33-year-old is no longer first choice in Catalunya, having fallen behind Joan Garcia in the pecking order, but wants playing time ahead of the World Cup next summer. The experienced goalkeeper would surely be a step up for West Ham.
Defenders: El Hadji Malick Diouf, Jean-Clair Todibo, Alexsandro, Aaron Wan-Bissaka
The West Ham defence has been a real issue this season. Only Wolves (25) have conceded more goals than the 23 of the Hammers and improving the back four must be a priority for Nuno Espirito Santo come January.
The club did invest in the defence this summer with Todibo’s loan made permanent. El Hadji Malick Diouf, Kyle Walker-Peters and Igor Julio all also arrived at the London Stadium.
Reports of potential defensive incomings have been less bountiful than forwards, but ESPN Brazil did name Lille star Alexsandro as a potential £25 million acquisition.
West Ham linked with loan move for Arsenal striker
Midfielders: Mateus Fernandes, Freddie Potts, Quinten Timber
Nuno appears to finally be getting close to a midfield that offers stability and creativity. Mateus Fernandes is beginning to settle in following his £40 million move from Southampton and Freddie Potts looks to be a star on the rise, buoyed by his success on loan at Portsmouth last term.
Lucas Paqueta continues to be linked with a move away from the club. Should he leave, then Caught Offside claim that Feyenoord star Quinten Timber could be a target. Nuno is said to have wanted to sign the player at Nottingham Forest and a £17 million deal could be available with the 24-year-old’s contract set to expire next summer.
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Gabriel Jesus, Crysencio Summerville
The number one priority for West Ham come January is adding a talisman to play through the middle with Bowen and Summerville on the flanks. Niclas Fullkrug could well be on his way out of the club while Callum Wilson seems to not be viewed as a regular starter.
There’s no shortage of competition for Ivan Toney by the sound of it and Real Madrid star Endrick has his heart set on France. There have been reports of a potential loan move for Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus, who will want minutes once fit again ahead of the World Cup. With 76 Premier League goals to his name, the Hammers could certainly do worse.
In other news, West Ham and Crystal Palace summer target 'not happy' after loan move to Premier League rival.
Continue Reading