West Ham United transfer news as David Moyes names specific targets to sign
West Ham United manager David Moyes has specifically told the Irons that he wants to sign Harry Maguire and James Ward-Prowse this summer, according to the Independent.
The newspaper reported on its website on Thursday (3 August) that the Hammers boss had signalled out the two England internationals as his two preferred targets this summer and feels that having won the Europa Conference League last season that he should be backed.
So far West Ham are yet to have made a signing this summer, despite selling Declan Rice to Arsenal for over £100m, with the Irons seeing bids rejected for both Maguire and Ward-Prowse this summer amongst a range of other targets.
Discussing the unsettled situation at the London Stadium, Miguel Delaney said: “David Moyes is intent on bringing Harry Maguire and James Ward-Prowse to West Ham for the new season, but it is understood the club’s recruitment team has been attempting to put longer-term options forward.
“The discussions have fed into reports of growing tension at the Europa Conference League winners, as they still have not spent any of the £105m brought in for Declan Rice, and are the only Premier League club to not yet make a signing.
Moyes, buoyed by bringing in the club’s first trophy for over three decades, feels he should be backed with targets he wants and has specifically named Maguire and Ward-Prowse. West Ham would be willing to do the deal for the deposed Manchester United captain if they can get him for £20m, but the Old Trafford club are holding out for north of £30m.”
Worrying situation
This feeling of difference in approach at the London Stadium is starting to become genuinely worrying for West Ham, Moyes and those in charge behind the scenes don’t appear to be seeing anything close to eye-to-eye at the moment.
The Irons have another season of European on the horizon and at the moment appear to be incredibly understaffed for what lies ahead. They need signings in quickly and one of the two sides whether it be Moyes or those above him are going to have to budge.
Had the Hammers had a more successful season domestically last year you would imagine the Scotsman would be allowed to buy anyone that he saw fit, but it almost feels as though the club are buying players that could well outlast Moyes at the London Stadium.
Having done such a good job to turn around West Ham’s fortunes in recent years, you have to feel that Moyes deserves to be backed in the market and is right to think so, especially having played such a role in Rice’s development.
If nothing changes before now and the end of the window, this could end up being a very messy season for the Irons, both off and on the pitch.
In other West Ham news, one club are ready to offer a player and cash to sign Gianluca Scamacca this summer