David Moyes will most likely look to strengthen his squad by signing a centre back, left-back, defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder and striker this summer.
Fabian Balbuena will leave at the end of June when his contract expires with Angelo Ogbonna 33 and Craig Dawson 31 the manager will look for re-enforcements in the centre of defence. One name being mentioned is Soucek and Coufal’s former Slavia Prague teammate David Zima. The 6ft 3in centre-back is just 20-years-old and is claimed to be available for around £13m. and it helps that he shares the same agent as Soucek.
Aaron Cresswell was superb this season and he improved greatly. He will be 32 next year and Arthur Masuaku has suffered injuries and could be argued is better suited as a left-sided winger. Barcelona’s Junior Firpo has been linked with the Hammers with a valuation of around £18m.
When it comes to defensive midfield cover for Soucek and Rice one name has been linked and that is Alex Kral. The 23-year-old Spartak Moscow midfielder is said to be available for as little as £12m this summer.
David Martin contract will also end this summer and Moyes could bring another keeper to challenge Fabianski who enters a contract extension.
West Ham had been consistently linked with a move for Soucek and Coufal’s fellow Czech and former Slavia Prague teammate Ondrej Kolar who should available for under £6m this summer after signing a contract extension until 2024. The Hammers have also been linked with a £10million move for West Brom’s Sam Johnstone.
For the attacking midfielder position, the number on target has to be Jesse Lingard with David Moyes believing £15-20m would be a fair price.
When it comes to strikers there are a number of names in the mix.
Moyes is said to believe that a £25m fee for Tammy Abrahams would be a fairer valuation, a sensible valuation for Slavia Prague striker Abdallah Sima would also be around £25m and RB Salzburg striker Patson Daka is another forward valued at around £25m.
In theory, David Moyes could sign five players in these positions for around £85m which is thought to be the amount available to him if he wants.
If reports are correct Hlozek and Kral could be secured for a combined £30-35 million prior to the Euros. This could soar afterwards and take them out of our reach.
Sam Johnstone is average at best, Randolph is comparable so no need to waste money Kolar on a free sounds good, Kral is quality, Cresswell is at his best going forward, his pace is a liability in defence which gets exploited regularly. Sima is a winger not a striker but would be very good, Daka also but we need a third striker Weghorst springs to mind but suspect it will be Benteke on a free. If Lingard doesn’t sign we need an attacking midfielder that can unlock a defence, Perreira from West Brom could be a shout or Willock from Arsenal.
I think Tomas Vaclik, the Czech no1 is available on a free. Kolar signed a new deal with Slavia last year if my memory is right.. I’d take Vaclik all day if we can get him. Very very good keeper
Kolar sounds good!
He also not on a free
He signed an extension in feb til 2024