West Ham United slammed for ‘strange’ transfer decision as official announcement made
Frank McAvennie is not convinced by West Ham signing Wes Foderingham from Sheffield United on a free transfer this summer.
The club confirmed on Wednesday (26 June) that the 33-year-old has put pen to paper on a two-year deal at the London Stadium, officially joining once his Sheffield United contract expires at the end of the month.
Foderingham has plenty of experience in the Premier League and Championship, having made 112 appearances for the Blades over the last four years, but McAvennie is not pleased with the news of his arrival.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, he said: “I don’t know about it, wasting time on free transfers. No disrespect to Foderingham, because he might do wonders, but I don’t know what his commitment and ambition are like.
“There will be no shortage of fighting because if you’re at Sheffield United, you’re constantly under pressure for 80 out of the 90 minutes, so I don’t see a problem with his goalkeeping.
“I just want West Ham to go out and buy someone – a good quality centre-half. As a support, I’d love to see them get a good centre-half. There are some good players at the Euros this summer.
“It’s a strange one. I want to see West Ham spend some money, not signing free transfers.”
West Ham United sign Wes Foderingham on two-year deal
With Alphonse Areola likely to remain as the No.1 choice in between the sticks, and Lukasz Fabianski showing no signs of slowing down, Foderingham is set for little game time next season.
With over 400 appearances for Sheffield United, Rangers and Swindon Town combined, the shot-stopper is bringing a lot of experience with him to the London Stadium, strengthening an area on the pitch that is already reasonably reinforced.
As McAvennie says, Julen Lopetegui will need to prioritise a centre-back signing next, with Kurt Zouma, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Nayef Aguerd not going to cut it for the Irons next season.
In other West Ham news, Newcastle United’s transfer stance has emerged as the Hammers take an interest in Callum Wilson.
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