Three transfers West Ham need to make before January transfer deadline
It has been a barren January for West Ham, as the chance to bring in the reinforcements needed to sustain a top-four push has not succeeded so far.
David Moyes wants to add to his squad to capitalise on the great first half of the season which saw the Hammers into the battle to qualify for the Champions League.
Kaveh Solhekol reported previously on Sky Sports News Transfer Show (19 January) that the manager had money to spend but was “struggling” to find better players than he already has.
But there are areas that he needs to bring people in, even if they are on par with his current men, so here WestHamZone looks at three transfers that should be made by January 31st.
Keane Lewis-Potter – Hull City
Wide attacking players are not the most pressing need in the Hammers squad but the competition for the 20-year-old is hotting up so now is the time to move.
The Mirror’s David Anderson reported that Tottenham had made an approach this week, and Brentford went in with a second bid yesterday according to The Daily Mail.
Anderson reports that new Hull owner Acun Ilicali does not want to lose the young Englishman but a fee of £15million would force him to consider.
For a man that Tigers youth coach Craig Fagan told The Athletic has similarities to Eden Hazard, as well as current Irons star and former Hull man Jarrod Bowen, to be available at that price explains all the interest.
The chance to put him opposite Bowen now, or to fill the gap if Liverpool’s interest in his predecessor (Liverpool Echo) leads to a move, makes a lot of sense, despite the money spent on the underwhelming Nikola Vlasic.
Mohamed Bayo – Clermont
Striking support for Michail Antonio is known to be one of Moyes’ priorities as Sebastien Haller has never been properly replaced.
A £60million pound approach for Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been mooted by The Daily Mail, while The Express quotes £25million as the price for Blackburn’s Ben Brereton Diaz, but the Guinea forward is available for far less.
Le 10 Sport’s Alexis Bernard reports that Clermont want £16.6million for an international striker who lit up Ligue 2 last season, and has carried his form into the French top flight this year with nine goals, while the Irons have so far offered below that.
The relatively low fee reduces the risk to the move, and prevents big pressure being on his shoulders, as it was for Haller who is thriving back in Holland.
And at 23 he can still develop, as he appears to have done so far with each step up he has made, with the player described by The Athletic as having shades of Luis Suarez also scoring twice in his five international caps.
Nat Phillips – Liverpool
When summer signing Kurt Zouma joined Angelo Ogbonna on the long-term injury list the Hammers were forced to get used to life with Craig Dawson and Issa Diop as the starting centre-backs.
While not disastrous, the results were inconsistent, and the manager is believed to be targeting a central defender with The Express reporting the Englishman to be a £15million target.
The Independent report that offers from Newcastle and Watford have both been rejected for the man who was forced into a key role for Liverpool during last season’s injury crisis, but who is buried down the pecking order this year.
Jurgen Klopp believed to be open to letting the 24-year-old leave before the end of the window, and the potential fee is reasonable for a player with Champions League experience and years ahead of him.
Issa Diop may leave the London Stadium this month so Phillips would be a fine candidate to replace him, and potentially partner up with the returning Zouma.
In other West Ham news, a first bid for this defensive recruit has reportedly been rejected.