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West Ham should not prioritise signing Dele Alli in the January transfer window
West Ham should prioritise other transfer targets in the January window ahead of Dele Alli.
The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has been linked with a move to the London Stadium, with Eurosport suggesting that the Hammers view him as an alternative to Jesse Lingard.
Alli is reportedly free to leave the north London club next month, most likely on loan, as he is not in Antonio Conte’s plans [The Athletic].
However, David Moyes needs to address at least two other areas in the squad before he makes a move for the 37-cap England international.
Firstly, the Hammers will be desperate to get a new striker in and seem to have been linked with countless names over the last few weeks.
Michail Antonio has started upfront in 16 of the club’s 17 Premier League fixtures this season but there are very few options behind him and the Jamaican international has not scored in his last eight appearances.
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Meanwhile, injuries to Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma have left West Ham short in central defence; Issa Diop and Craig Dawson are currently the only senior players available in that position.
Football.London revealed yesterday (17 December) that the club have drawn up a three-man shortlist of Nathan Ake, Nat Phillips and James Tarkowski.
All this isn’t to say that the Hammers could not do with more creative spark in midfield, but Moyes will not have a limitless transfer budget in January.
Said Benrahma, Pablo Fornals and Manuel Lanzini have rotated in the number 10 role this season, while summer signing Nikola Vlasic has failed to make an impact.
A loan deal for Alli seems doable if the transfer fee is a problem for West Ham, but even then the midfielder’s wages could prove to be a stumbling block.
In other West Ham news, a Hammers targeted has opened up about his future and hinted at a move.
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