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West Ham United 'likely' to be confined to loan market in January window
West Ham United will “likely” be confined to the loan market when the January transfer window opens, according to Claret and Hugh.
It’s understood there is “no indication” the club will spend big as they did in the summer, with David Moyes pleading for patience when it comes to his previous business.
However, it’s been suggested the Scot could dip into the loan market to replace Kurt Zouma, who looks set for a considerable spell on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery.
“The Irons are hopeful of progressing with the squad that they currently have and Moyes has consistently pleaded for patience when it comes to his summer buys, for better or for worse,” say Claret and Hugh (25 November).
“As a result, he will be shopping in the loan market if he does decide to seek reinforcements in January. Moyes has rarely dipped into the market in the winter but he may see a hole that needs filling with Zouma’s injury. Still, there is no expectation of a multi-million-pound signing.”
Show faith
The West Ham boss has no option but to show faith in the players he signed in the summer. The likes of Gianluca Scamacca and Lucas Paqueta are clearly talented but are adapting to life in the Premier League. Much has been made of Moyes’ insistence on playing restrictive and negative football.
He’s certainly not helping himself at the moment, with the players he added over the summer potentially better suited to a more possession-based, attack-minded system. It’s understandable to see why the board may be reluctant to back him in the January window.
If his summer signings don’t work out the club cannot risk Moyes throwing another £100million down the drain on players who are potentially not of the level required to take the Hammers towards the top six.
It promises to be a big January for Moyes, with the Scot desperately needing points on the board and quickly. Any more defeats could leave him staring down the barrel at the London Stadium.