In this article, I’ll be looking at who West Ham United could realistically sign over the summer to strengthen their squad even further, as well as those who may leave the club and the youngsters that may make the step up to the first team.

West Ham: Realistic signings

Gregory Van Der Wiel- The Netherlands international will be a free agent in the summer after PSG coach Laurent Blanc decided not to extend the right backs contract with the French heavyweights, Van Der Wiel would add quality to the Hammers back line as well as someone for Sam Byram to learn his trade off.

Gokhan Tore- The Turkish right winger is currently heavily linked with West Ham, a move which would see Tore link up with his former boss Slaven Bilic, the move would see West Ham replace lacklustre loan signing Victor Moses who has now returned to Chelsea.

Jonathan Calleri- It is reported that West Ham are considering a loan move for the Argentine striker who spent the season on loan at São Paulo where he notched 12 goals in 24 appearances, however, whilst it is in West Ham’s interest to get Calleri in on loan his current side Deportivo Maldonado are open to the hit man leaving permanently.

Simone Zaza- West Ham are keen on signing Juventus striker Simone Zaza who is set for crunch talks with the Italian side over his future after only making 5 starts for the Serie A champions. If Juve are keen to sell it appears West Ham and Southampton would be willing to battle it out for the talented 24-year-old. Zaza would strengthen West Ham’s frontline which seems to be the club’s focus this summer.

Oguzhan Ozyakup- West Ham and Slaven Bilic are looking set to rival Arsenal for the signature of the highly rated 23-year-old Besiktas star, Ozyakup would much like Gokhan Tore be linking up with former manager Slaven Bilic who is looking to strengthen the West Ham squad and is an admirer of the Turkish midfielder.

Who is likely to leave?

Enner Valencia- A player I’ve never really took a liking to during his spell with the hammers. His lack of goals and creativity, as well as his poor work rate, have seen him majorly underperform. Only 8 league goals over 2 seasons for a £12 million signing just really isn’t good enough, and with the move to the Olympic Stadium on the horizon, it’s time for the Ecuadorian to make way for some real talent.

Alex Song, Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses-All 3 loan players were told during the season that the club wasn’t going to take any of them on permanently seeing them all return to their parent clubs, Barcelona, Fenebarche and Chelsea after failing to make any kind of impact.

Joey O’Brien-The veteran Irish full-back will more than likely be looking for a new club over the summer with West Ham looking to ship out dead wood and bring in more quality into the side.

Diafra Sakho- Not a man West Ham are necessarily going out of their way to sell but the Senegalese international is rumoured to be looking for more first team action, and it isn’t looking like West Ham are the team to give him this as they look to bring in yet more quality up front, despite Sakho’s strong relationship with joint-chairman David Sullivan and the fans I can sadly see the striker not being with West Ham come the start of next season.

Who might breakthrough?

In this segment, I’ll be looking at who might breakthrough to the first team from West Ham’s illustrious academy.

Martin Samuelsen- The Norwegian winger impressed during West Ham’s qualifying rounds in the Europa league causing excitement among the West Ham faithful, the skilful winger also impressed at league one side Peterborough whilst on loan, including a man of the match performance against Premier League outfit West Brom in the FA Cup.

Reece Burke- The English centre-half made his first team debut for West Ham last season as he impressed during a clean sheet at QPR away, the young centre-half spent this season with Bradford City in league one where he picked up 7 trophies in the Bantams player of the year awards. Burke and Reece Oxford appear to be the future of West Ham United’s back line.

Josh Cullen- Like Reece Burke, Cullen spent the season on loan at Bradford. He is one of the most exciting players in the Development Squad. Despite not being the biggest player, he is unafraid to put himself about. A willing runner, he is the engine room at the heart of the Hammers’ midfield. Josh can also play as a number 10. He scored arguably the goal of the season with a 90th-minute rocket against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to win 1-0. A leader on and off the pitch, he has captained the Development Squad regularly as well as making the first team bench on a couple of occasions.

With all of this prospect, West Ham will be raring for the season to start again, they also have European football to look forward to during their first season at the Olympic Stadium. It looks to be another exciting season for the hammers.

 

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