Tim Steidten is set for a busy few days as the transfer window opens on January 1st.
However, with clubs circling around the Hammers squad shopping for January bargains, it remains to be seen how much can be raised for the transfer kitty. West Ham will need to sell before they can buy.
Andrew Irving, signed for £1.6m, has had limited game time but has reportedly caught Celtic’s attention. Unfortunately, his sale is unlikely to significantly boost the coffers.
Brazilian Luizao, a regular for the U-21s, will either be sold or loaned out. Several South American clubs have enquired about the former São Paulo player, but his £20k-a-week wages are proving a stumbling block. West Ham expect any loaning club to cover the full amount.
Guido Rodríguez has effectively been put on the market, but any interested club will need to pay a transfer fee that offsets the hefty signing-on fee West Ham paid. Additionally, Rodríguez must accept a pay cut, as his current £75k-a-week salary will likely not be matched elsewhere. Real Betis are reportedly only willing to take him on a free transfer, while River Plate also seem unlikely to make a suitable offer.
Elsewhere, Danny Ings looks set to run down his contract, becoming a free agent in the summer. Meanwhile, Niclas Füllkrug’s agency is shopping the German international around, with the player reportedly keen on a Bundesliga return or a move to Juventus. West Ham may have to accept a reduced transfer fee, though Steidten could orchestrate a clever swap deal involving identified targets.
Transfer Freebies
Vladimír Coufal becomes a free agent in June, so West Ham may try to secure a small transfer fee for him this January. Turkish clubs have expressed interest, but the Hammers would need a suitable replacement. I’ve long admired Coventry City’s Milan van Ewijk, who, at 24, has great potential and earned a Netherlands call-up last season. Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey and Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters are other potential options linked to the club.
The crown jewel at West Ham is Mohammed Kudus. With an £85m release clause, it’s unlikely any club will match the reported £100m asking price in January. Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Newcastle have all been linked, but this feels more like a summer move.
Maxwel Cornet will undergo evaluation by Southampton’s new manager but is likely to return to West Ham, where Lopetegui will seek another loan arrangement.
Who are ya? Cornet can’t get a game anywhere
Nayef Aguerd’s impressive performances at Real Sociedad have garnered attention. However, any move would likely be a summer sale, bringing in much-needed funds.
With several players out of contract in the summer and others indicating they see their futures elsewhere, the post-Moyes squad rebuild must continue. West Ham fans will hope more academy prospects can be integrated into the first team.
For now, Mr Steidten, it’s your time to shine. Perhaps a quick chat with former West Ham manager Harry Redknapp for some wheeling-and-dealing tips could be in order?
It’s shaping up to be an interesting window, and with Steidten’s experience managing limited budgets in Germany, he appears well-equipped for the task at hand.
