Report: Late midfielder bid could be on the cards for West Ham
It seems that the West Ham United supporters have been waiting all month for a new central midfielder to arrive at the London Stadium.
Manager David Moyes has a big need for a new addition in the middle of the park, because he is hugely reliant on Declan Rice and Mark Noble.
With the latter being 32 years of age – 33 come May – that’s just not tenable in the long-term.
Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen has long been considered to be a target for the Hammers this month.
Now, The Sun reported on Wednesday that Moyes is weighing up a bid for the Wales international late in the January transfer window.
The east London outfit are thought to be long-time admirers of the 29-year-old, but have yet to make a formal bid.
The Potters rate him at £10million, with European clubs also thought to be monitoring the 56-cap international. The player wants to stay in the UK, though, to boost his Euro 2020 hopes.
Is Allen the solution for West Ham?
He’s certainly better than nothing, that’s for sure. As we get later and later into the window – with still no central midfield recruit – he begins to look more attractive.
Yes, there are younger options that have been mentioned, but they’re likely more expensive than Allen as a consequence of their youth.
Given David Gold and David Sullivan’s historic resistance to spending, Allen likely is the most realistic central midfield proposition for the club this month.
In other West Ham news, Moyes has reportedly informed the club’s board of an important transfer decision.