The January transfer window is now just six weeks away and West Ham clearly need to do some business to save their season.
It is likely no coincidence that West Ham have started to be linked with moves.
Both in and out of the London Stadium ahead of the winter window.
Nine new players arrived at West Ham in the summer and 12 departed.
The rebuild looked good on paper.
Indeed West Ham’s technical director Tim Steidten was hailed a hero for his work after spending £155m.
The reality on the pitch has been utterly underwhelming, though.
Only three of the summer arrivals have looked like quality additions so far in the shape of Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The jury is still out on Jean-Clair Todibo.
As a result Steidten is as much under the microscope as Julen Lopetegui.
A number of Hammers players signed by the German over the last year are already been linked with moves away.
What’s abundantly clear is the rebuild hasn’t worked and needs an overhaul.
Particularly in midfield and up front.
Panicked West Ham want deal done soon for Guerra
Hence the Hammers being linked with a host of players as the January window looms on the horizon.
One of those is Valencia’s Javi Guerra.
The 21-year-old is a box-to-box midfielder with high energy and athleticism who is equally adept in defensive midfield as he is in attack.
Guerra already has 56 La Liga appearances to his name for Valencia and has five goals and an assist to his name.
The impressive star is being hailed a generational talent in Spain, who he has represented at Under 21 level.
Guerra was linked with the Hammers over the weekend, but is there any truth to the claims?
Hammers News has spoken to top transfer journalist Graeme Bailey to find out.
Hammers worried price of star they’re watching will ‘rocket’
And panicked West Ham have a big reason they want a deal done soon for Guerra.
Bailey claims the Hammers have indeed been having Guerra watched.
Other Premier League clubs are interested.
But that’s not the biggest reason West Ham are anxious to be the ones at the front of the queue.
“Guerra is an interesting player,” Bailey told Hammers News.
“A very good technical player and English clubs see him as a huge potential and are looking at him before he is playing for the full national side, which is not far away, and at that point his value rockets.
“A number of clubs have watched and West Ham are one of them.”
What would Guerra bring to West Ham and how much would he cost?
A recent article from CaughtOffside claims Valencia would be willing to sell for £25m or less despite reports of Guerra having an £85m release clause.
Midfield has been the standout issue for West Ham this season.
It is old, slow, immobile and lacking in any athleticism or dynamism.
As a unit it simply doesn’t work. Not to any high level anyway. It’s a hodge podge of players who do not complement one another.
Guerra is exactly what the team needs, both as a player and a potential future leader.
The talented midfielder covers long distances and – like most Spanish players – has an excellent short game.
His cultured through ball delivery has impressed just as much as his tackling skills.
It is his knack for scoring crucial goals that has endeared him to Valencia’s fans, though.
Standout performances have showcased a maturity belying his age. Guerra’s versatility has made him a key cog in Valencia’s own big rebuild.
Now he could be the same for West Ham’s.
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