Moyes not to repeat last year’s transfer strategy
David Moyes has now said that West Ham United will not repeat their strategy from the summer of 2022 during the next transfer window as the Irons boss outlines his plans.
The Hammers flashed the cash last year in the hopes of remaining at the upper end of the Premier League table. But Moyes oversaw a significant step backwards this term as the Irons fought to avoid relegation. The Hammers only confirmed their survival on May 13.
Only Chelsea (£278.5m) and Manchester United (£227.5m) outspent West Ham (£179m) in the summer 2022 transfer window, per Transfermarkt. The Irons spent big to get Lucas Paqueta for a club-record £51.5m, plus Gianluca Scamacca for £35.5m and Nayef Aguerd for £30m.
West Ham believed the midfielder, striker and defender would help them build on their previous 7th place in the table. But Paqueta needed time to adapt to the Premier League from life in Ligue 1 at Lyon and is only now showing all the qualities we bought him for. Aguerd has been somewhat inconsistent and poor old Scamacca only has three goals to show in 16 league games.
Now, Moyes admits West Ham will not repeat their decision to spend big in the summer as the did in the 2022 transfer window. Instead, he aims to work on improving his team where needed. The Irons will embrace a far greater needs-must ethos during the off-season.
“Of course,” Moyes told the football london website. “I don’t see us being huge spenders maybe but I don’t really think that will be the situation this year. Where we can and where we need to add to the squad, then we will do so.”
West Ham’s poor record in front of the goal this season will surely play on his mind entering the summer transfer window. The Irons have scored just 41 goals through their 37 matches so far this term. Six of their haul have also been penalties, along with 11 via set-pieces.