West Ham United hailed for ‘inspired’ Niclas Fullkrug signing in ‘bold’ transfer window
West Ham United enjoyed the second-best transfer window in the Premier League over the summer, according to Tim Spiers.
The Athletic journalist shared [3 September] his ranking on how each top-flight club has emerged from the window, with Tim Steidten leading a “bold, decisive” window including the “inspired” signing of Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug.
The Hammers’ technical director led on the transfer operations for Julen Lopetegui’s squad and spent over £120million on 10 new arrivals.
Spiers wrote: “Who are you, and what have you done with West Ham United?
“This was a summer of bold, decisive work in the transfer market from the east Londoners. Maximilian Kilman and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are really solid defensive additions who can also help start attacks, Niclas Fullkrug could be an inspired signing up front, although needs good service for that, and Crysencio Summerville looks a Premier League star in the making.
“They also had the confidence to dispense with James Ward-Prowse, who doesn’t fit into new coach Julen Lopetegui’s thinking. The whole thing will need patience, but Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten appear to be working to a plan.”
West Ham window provides an exciting foundation
The summer months have been intriguing at the London Stadium, as a new chapter and management dynamic takes shape.
Having brought in 10 players and parted with 12 – plus youngster Mahamadou Kante who was signed and loaned out – there has certainly been a rebuild, but the key factor is that this multitude of changes will not flourish overnight.
That patience will be key and whilst the Irons are still hopeful of having a strong season, there are absolutely better days to come than the opening weeks in which the team have lost two of their opening three games.
Albeit, their last encounter was against Manchester City, and they have set up a Carabao Cup tie at Anfield against Liverpool after many new recruits starred in a 1-0 second-round win over AFC Bournemouth.
The consensus for that win was that it was fortunate – especially the clean sheet with Bournemouth missing key chances – as Jarrod Bowen’s controversial winner sent the Hammers through, but that the disjointed nature of the team full of recent signings will heal itself in time.
Lopetegui is for now sticking with the tried and tested for the most part, but it will not be long before the likes of Fullkrug and Summerville are getting the chance to justify their transfer fees.
In other West Ham news, a medical assessment on Edson Alvarez.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.