Exclusive: McAvennie wants West Ham to let Moyes sign who he wants
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie has urged West Ham to “go out and do something” in their pursuit of a new striker before the January transfer window closes.
Earlier this month, the Irons sold Sebastien Haller to Ajax in a deal worth €22.5million (£20.2million) but David Moyes is yet to bring in a replacement with Michail Antonio the only centre-forward in the senior squad.
West Ham have been linked with a number of new strikers with Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri reportedly the recent subject of a rejected £22.5million bid [The Athletic].
Ex-Hammers forward McAvennie trusts Moyes to go out and add quality players to the squad and has suggested it’s best if David Sullivan keeps his hands out of any transfer dealings as long as the Scot is in charge at the London Stadium.
“West Ham have always been good at talking – just go out and do something and let David Moyes sign them because his signings have been good,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.
“Who brought Haller in? It wasn’t David Moyes. Whoever brought him in and thought he could play as a lone striker is a bit crazy, to be honest. Once again, the recruitment wasn’t very good.
“I think David’s got his finger on it now and I think if Mr Sullivan had any sense, he’d let David spend the money.
“The manager lives and dies by his own decisions. There’s nothing worse than the chairman interfering with the team.”
Moyes’ signings have lit up the London Stadium in the last year with Tomas Soucek, Jarrod Bowen, Vladimir Coufal and Craig Dawson all impressing.
Said Benrahma is yet to get a big chance to show his worth in the first team but it’s not as though the on-loan Brentford attacker has done badly – unlikely a lot of the signings before Moyes’ return to East London.
Moyes is one of the most experienced managers in the Premier League. People will call him a has-been or a dinosaur or his poor spell at Manchester United is remembered above all the brilliant work he did at Everton.
But, at the end of the day, West Ham are similar to Everton. They’re a big club who are desperate to start winning trophies again and assert themselves as among England’s best.
It’s tough to do but Moyes knows the league, he knows clubs like the Hammers and he also knows the transfer market very well.
He’s made mistakes in the past but so far, his transfer activity has been flawless.
In other West Ham news, Moyes has shared an update on Antonio’s fitness ahead of the clash with West Brom on Tuesday.