Pundit backs West Ham United transfer pursuits after Nayef Aguerd injury
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…
David Moyes has been backed in his pursuit to sign Gianluca Scamacca and Filip Kostic as he targets problem positions for West Ham this summer.
The Hammers are chasing big improvements to their playing staff after a tough season last year, and moves for both Scamacca and Kostic are edging closer after the club had bids worth a combined £45m accepted by Sassuolo and Frankfurt respectively.
But after summer signing Nayef Aguerd was forced to undergo ankle surgery after he picked up an injury in a pre-season friendly against Rangers, McAvennie believes the squad still needs additions.
“It happens,” he told West Ham Zone. “Players just get on with it. Your teammates get injured and you think, oh no. This guy’s just coming in so they don’t know how good he is, so it won’t be. It’s a strange one, but footballers just get on with it.
“They’ve got a good squad. I still think they’ve got to get a left-back and a centre-forward. Cresswell is 31 now but he’s still a good left-back and he can play as a left-sided centre half. That’s where he’ll be wanting to play in a three.
“But getting up and down the wing, I think you need a bit of a youngster for that. It’s all about pace now. So I would like to get a left-back and a centre-forward.“
Scamacca is due to undergo his West Ham medical today [Tuesday, July 26] while Kostic is still making a decision on whether or not to make the move to London, with Frankfurt currently set to play Champions League football.
Kostic has just one year remaining on his contract and would be free to explore his options about a free transfer next summer from January.