West Ham shown how it's done by Wolves already as transfer news shows bleak differences

West Ham United are yet to inspire fans ahead of the summer transfer window opening, but Wolves are getting their business done early.

As it stands, Wolves look like the biggest threat to the Hammers in the push for promotion from the Championship next season.

Rob Edwards' side have most likely been planning for relegation since just after January, and that is being reflected in their early summer business.

Though the window opens on 15 June, Wolves have signed Kieran Trippier on a free transfer, and are closing in on the sensational return of Raul Jimenez.

Meanwhile, the Irons have more focus on David Sullivan's extremely controversial departure and the news story that followed him out the door at the London Stadium.

But not only that, the players that West Ham are being linked with suggest that they are already playing catch-up in the race to get back to the Premier League.

West Ham's transfer targets aren't much to be excited about

Wolves have gone through their pain, having had their relegation confirmed weeks before the final day.

In some ways, it makes sense that they have had a blistering start to the summer window already, especially considering that the Hammers were planning for two eventualities.

However, Wolves are close to signing two Premier League-level players, having already secured Trippier's signature, and are hopeful of Jimenez's return being signed off.

Then you look at the calibre of players that Nuno Espirito Santo's side are linked with, and it makes for stark reading.

Sheffield United's Sydie Peck, Cardiff City's Dylan Lawlor and Swansea City's Ethan Galbraith are just three names the Hammers have been tipped to sign, all of which are underwhelming.

West Ham's main transfer statement will be what happens with current players

The flip side to the argument is that West Ham already have what they need in order to gain promotion back to the Premier League.

But who they keep will significantly alter things.

The Hammers finished with 19 more points than Wolves, which shows just how far behind the latter already are, despite impressive early steps ahead of the summer window.

So long as Nuno can keep the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Tomas Soucek, Taty Castellanos, then who the club is linked with over the window should not be as much of a problem.