Anthony Onifade

Thu 27 April 2023 8:40, UK

West Ham United will be gearing up for a hugely busy and pivotal summer and as the end of the season nears the transfer rumour mill has certainly gathered pace.

It promises to be a hectic window in East London with the Hammers set to undergo much change not just on the pitch, but off it too with David Moyes expected to depart this summer.

West Ham United have been linked with several names in recent weeks, most notably former Roma boss Paulo Fonseca and former Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers among those in the frame to replace Moyes.

Regardless, the Hammers will be potentially lining up significant summer moves, especially with the likes of Declan Rice set to call time on his London Stadium career and Michail Antonio, Angelo Ogbonna and even veteran goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, along with several more.

Here West Ham Zone takes a look at four players who could well come through the door when the season comes to a close this summer.

Giorgi Mamardashvili

Spanish outlet Diario AS on 5 April revealed that the talented goalkeeper is “on the radar” of West Ham United this summer with club scouts travelling to watch him play several times this season.

Also, Fichajes.net claimed on 6 April that Valencia would be willing to sell the shot-stopper amid their financial troubles if a bid of around £35m was received despite his astronomical £85.7m release clause and the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham will certainly be jumping at the chance to sign him given the huge financial opportunity.

Fabianski won’t be at the London Stadium long which means the Hammers must swiftly have a contingency plan in place to replace him, and the 22-year-old Georgian goalkeeper is the perfect and more attractive option.

Despite Valencia currently fearing for their future in La Liga, the towering ace has done his utmost to try and keep the club in the top flight, having already made 83 saves in the league this season, just two less than Fabianski’s tally (85), as per SofaScore.

With that said, it’s interesting to note that the Hammers are keeping tabs on another top young talent in the goalkeeper position and he arguably represents the perfect long-term replacement for Fabianski. A no-brainer move.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis

According to 90min [3 April], the Stockport-born centre-back would like to make the grade under Pep Guardiola but is resigned to a bit-part role next season, which could mean his future lies elsewhere.

Burnley are reportedly hoping to bring Harwood-Bellis back to the club next season, and City legend Kompany is hopeful that his former employers will sanction a deal – whether it be another loan or a permanent deal.

However, any deal may prove complicated with West Ham, Newcastle United, Fulham and Brentford also interested in his signature, according to the report.

West Ham United are set to undergo a major rebuild, especially in their defence this summer with a whole host of their star players set to leave with the likes of Ogbonna, Rice, and Vladimir Coufal moving closer to the London Stadium exit door and the East Londoners have already been linked with a number of defensive targets in recent months.

An incredibly gifted centre-back possessing excellent qualities on the ball, aggressive and combative in his duel winning as well as being a very capable presence in the air [WhoScored], the 20-year-old possesses all the makings to become a high-level Premier League centre-back and a player West Ham United should be fighting for if City are willing sellers.

Ibrahim Sangare

The Hammers are resigned to losing captain Rice in the summer with Premier League leaders Arsenal considered the frontrunners for his signature, which leaves a gaping hole in defensive midfield for West Ham United to majorly address this summer.

And Sangare, who has a €37m (£33m) release clause in his contract, is among the targets to replace him with the club sending scouts to watch him in action this past weekend, according to 90Min and the 25-year-old represents arguably the best option to replace Rice this summer.

The 6 foot 3 colossus has rapidly emerged as one of Europe’s best defensive midfielders and would certainly add a different and perfect dimension to the centre of the pitch at the London Stadium as also shown by his ranking in the 90th percentile for tackles and 93rd percentile for blocks among players in his position at similar-level competitions over the past year, [FBref].

The Ivory Coast international has registered seven goals and provided three assists in 38 appearances across all competitions this season, so is able to make a positive difference at both ends of the pitch, a commodity the Hammers could do well to possess next season.

Samuel Chukwueze

West Ham United will certainly be on the market for attackers this summer, and according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the Irons, alongside top-flight rivals Arsenal and Everton, have “set their sights” on signing Chukwueze ahead of the 2023/24 season.

The 23-year-old’s contract with the La Liga outfit expires next summer, meaning that the upcoming window will be Villarreal’s final ample opportunity to cash in and a move to England appeals to the irresistible winger.

The Nigerian international has undergone a remarkable campaign for the Yellow Submarine, registering 24 goals and assists in all competitions and given the Villarreal winger’s extraordinary and unique attacking abilities and potential to become a European superstar in the future, this really is a no-brainer of a decision as represents a stark upgrade on all of Moyes’ current attacking options.