West Ham are not in the market for a left back despite the widespread belief that Manuel Pellegrini was ready to let either Arthur Masuaku or Aaron Cresswell leave the London Stadium.
The manager has made a defensive midfielder and new striker his major priorities in this window and we understand Director of Football Mario Husillos is chasing two or three front men in Europe.
The boss believes that in Cresswell and Masuaku he is okay in that area and that his pressing needs are elsewhere in the squad.
Aleksander Mirtovic and Salomon Rondon are still among the names on his and Pellegrini’s list but the DoE is very much on the case with others – as yet unnamed.
Pelle will be pleased to have seen his transfer kitty boosted by another €8 million following the sale of Edmison Fernandez and the club are now definitely ready to allow Chicharito to go this summer.
The player is currently on holiday and out of contact with the club but any bid of between £8m-£10m would be acceptable although whether the Mexican is ready to take a cut on a Hammers salary of £140k a week elsewhere remains to be seen.
At a more minor level Jordan Hugill – having finished his loan spell at Middlesbrough – is available at a small fee which with Chicharito sold could see the transfer fund boosted by around £20m ( Fernandes £8 million, Hernandez £8 million and Hugill £4 million).
Pedro Obiang also wants out and a return to Europe could be expected to raise another £6 million.
On top of that Pellegrini will not have given up on the idea that Sullivan and Gold will reach into their pockets for another £10 million or so which has regularly been the case in previous windows!
Hugh, I agree left back not a priority position. There is big talk about this centre back from Chile. I believe we could do with him too so I am hoping this is true. I think we would be better suited buying a box to box midfielder (but in Pelle we trust), a creative midfielder would be nice too and a top forward one who can play out on the right preferably and through the middle. I am hoping for 4 more quality signings and I believe we need a budget of 75m with perhaps one of these a free signing and one or two marquee signings like Anderson. We have 30m + another 10m in sales, total 40m to spend at this moment. Need to raise another 35m in sales, a big challenge. Hernandez (8m) and Obiang (5m) are two that will certainly be on their way if suitable offers are received. Between Byran and Hugil perhaps another 5m. Lets say the owners caught up another 10m, then all we need is 7m which we could get in salary savings. Theres a plan !!
So many errors and goals scored against cresswell and earlier masu we definitely need priority at left back. Cresswell if can be sold for any amount as his really poor cant tackle and never stops crosses coming in also no pace just watch the games his played in absolutely criminal him playong costing us points. Left back that can defend please asp
Agreed – it’s the source of so many goals and goal attempts. The number of saves made by Fab last season is not down to a weakness in central defence – there were some errors of course, but the source of those dangers regularly came from the flanks, particularly the left. Masuaku is alright as a left-sided midfielder or forward but he’s no defender.
This must be a deflection tactic, how can anyone say our left back position is sound?