“Overhauling” | Report | Hammers set to spend big this summer under new era
West Ham are said to be targeting as many as six summer signings as they look towards a new future under Julen Lopetegui.
Spanish coach Lopetegui has agreed a deal with the Hammers to become the club’s next manager when David Moyes leaves the club at the end of this season, an official announcement is not expected until the current season has finished.
Lopetegui joining West Ham will see the club continue moving towards a more European style leadership structure which would see the club’s technical director Tim Steidten will be given greater control over transfers and recruitment. Since the German joined West Ham last summer, there have been disagreements between him and David Moyes over things such as transfer targets.
According to The Evening Standard, Steidten will look to work closely with Lopetegui in overhauling the first team squad in what is expected to be a busy summer for the Hammers. West Ham are looking to sign players in a number of positions including a centre forward and at least one new centre back.
In terms of a potential new centre back, the club have an interest in Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo who is out of contract this summer and the Hammers have previously considered a move for Wolves skipper Max Kilman who worked with Lopetegui during his time at Wolves.
Whilst The Evening Standard have reported West Ham are expected to make around six new signings this summer, the West Ham way’s Ex West Ham Employee expects that this figure may end up being higher.
The club has a need to target homegrown players otherwise they could end up breaching Premier League regulations. These regulations place a limit on clubs of having 17 non-qualified players within their squad. In regards to current home grown players on the Hammers books, Danny Ings may end up being sold, both Aaron Cresswell and Ben Johnson are out of contract and Kalvin Phillips’ loan is about to come to an end.
