West Ham United want multiple transfers in fast Julen Lopetegui start as Fabricio Bruno first in
West Ham are planning to get three signings completed before the end of June as they look to give Julen Lopetegui a fast start this summer, according to The Sun.
The paper reported via their website on 28 May that the Hammers are close to sealing their first new arrival in the form of Flamengo defender Fabricio Bruno, who is set to cost an initial £12.5million.
But with incoming boss Lopetegui officially set to take over from David Moyes on 1 July the club want to get two more signings done in the next month, with plans driven by technical director Tim Steidten “well under way”.
The German has visited South America with £30m-rated winger Wesley Gassova another target, although currently deemed too expensive, while Wolves’ Max Kilman, Hull City’s Jacob Greaves and exiting Coventry City man Callum O’Hare also on the list.
Tim Steidten learns from West Ham issues with David Moyes?
With the season-long power struggle between Steidten and Moyes now over it looks like the technical director is moving fast to avoid the delays and difficulties of last summer’s transfer window with the Scot.
Declan Rice’s big-money move to Arsenal dominated the window and West Ham only managed to bring in reinforcements late on, so it will be a relief to fans for the Irons to be getting ahead of the game.
Lucas Paqueta’s betting charge is a complicating factor when the squad looks like it is in need of extensive work, both to strengthen after an inconsistent campaign but to cater to the change in plans between Moyes and Lopetegui, as big money for him to move to Manchester City is now off the table.
Defence clearly needs action to be taken when the outgoing manager’s usual defensive solidity was conspicuous by its absence at times last season.
But, just as looked to be the case in January when only the disastrous loan move for midfielder Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City was pushed through at the Scot’s behest, attack looks the to be the area most in need of reinforcements.
If Steidten can line up a number of deals for Lopetegui’s official start date it should put the club in a far better position for success next season than they were in after playing catch-up through last summer.
Bruno looks to be imminent and a first deal before the end of May is solid progress so it looks like a positive start to the offseason.
In other West Ham news, the Irons seriously want to buy a club’s best player for the new Spanish manager.
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