West Ham United

West Ham United

Premier League • England

West Ham braced for hectic summer as eight-man shortlist has David Moyes in dreamland

Ben Stewart
Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City and James Ward-Prowse of Southampton - Southampton v Leicester City, Premier League, St Mary's Stadium, Southampton,

West Ham could be in for a busy summer transfer window as they will attempt to sign up to seven players on an eight-man shortlist.

The Hammers haven’t been at their best in the Premier League this season. With the club currently sitting in 14th, they are in need of some fresh legs.

Of course, they have had a terrific campaign in Europe and could still end the campaign with a trophy. All of their attention will now be on the Conference League final with Fiorentina.

Moyes will be keen to get them back on track in the Premier League though and an eight-man shortlist has been drafted up.

According to ExWHUEmployee on Twitter, the Hammers will attempt to sign five to seven players this summer.

Midfielders on the shortlist include Fulham’s Joao Palhinha, Everton’s Amadou Onana and Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse and Romeo Lavia.

It’s no secret that Declan Rice could leave the club this summer. With his contract set to expire in 2024, Arsenal have recently picked up their interest.

Moyes won’t want to leave himself short in the middle and each of those targets would be a sensible pick up.

Due to Southampton’s relegation, Ward-Prowse and Lavia are perhaps the most realistic targets. However, West Ham won’t be alone in their interest.

Tottenham have also been linked with the Saints skipper along with a host of other clubs. The 28-year-old had a fairly impressive season considering the circumstances, scoring eight goals and providing four assists.

West Ham looking at forwards

Along with adding to their midfield, West Ham are also looking at some forwards and creative options.

In the league, they have only scored 41 goals, which is less than the likes of Leicester and Leeds who sit in the relegation zone.

Scoring an average of just 1.1 goals per game, this is an obvious area to improve. The Hammers have included four creative options on their shortlist.

The players being looked at are said to be Manchester City’s Cole Palmer, Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson, Leicester’s Harvey Barnes and Coventry’s Victor Gyokeres.

Arsenal have reportedly offered Nelson a new bumper contract, but his future now rests in his own hands. The winger has played a squad role under Mikel Arteta and might now fancy his chances at a club where he will start.

Barnes has already attracted plenty of interest and this will only intensify if Leicester are relegated on the final day.

Gyokeres has been on the radar of several Premier League sides too. Brentford are considering him as a replacement for the suspended Ivan Toney.

The forward has scored 23 goals this season and will surely secure a move to the Premier League if Coventry aren’t promoted via the playoffs.

West Ham could be in for a very interesting summer indeed, but their primary focus right now will be on the Conference League final.

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