David Moyes shares West Ham United transfer plans after Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta injury blows
West Ham boss David Moyes insists his side’s transfer plans have not changed, despite losing three players to injury against Bristol City.
Lucas Paqueta’s return from a knee injury lasted barely 10 minutes as he hobbled off the field early on in Sunday’s (7 January) FA Cup tie at London Stadium.
Defender Konstantinos Mavropanos also picked up an injury, while key man Jarrod Bowen required treatment and hobbled down the tunnel at full-time.
Michail Antonio is also currently sidelined, while Mohammed Kudus is on Africa Cup of Nations duty, leaving Moyes light of options in attack.
However, asked if his hand will now be forced in terms of transfers, Moyes is quoted by The Standard [7 January] as saying: “I don’t think so.
“I don’t think it would necessarily play a part. Obviously, if we’re going to lose people long-term [it might].
“But I’ve not heard anything to suggest anybody’s severely injured.”
Business unlikely
The club cannot be expected to go out and splash millions of pounds on a new attacker based solely on what happened in the draw with Bristol City.
However, potentially being without Bowen and Paqueta, plus Kudus and less so Antonio, means United’s attack is severely weakened.
The next Premier League game against Sheffield United is not until 21 January, so that does at least give the first two a chance to rest up.
If they fail to do so – and very little is known about either injury at this point – then Moyes will have to turn to Divin Mubama or Danny Ings.
A new striker will surely be on the Hammers’ shopping list in the summer, but finding one in the January window is easier said than done.
Assuming there is no business done, we must simply hope that these latest injuries are nothing too serious.
In other West Ham news, Antonio has made an “honest” admission on the club’s January transfer plans.