There is an urgency about West Ham’s recruitment activity just now that is quite reassuring: It would be easy for a club in ‘head coach crisis’ to focus solely on the Julen Lopetegui saga and not be planning for the January window. However the ripples spreading out across the media ‘pond’ indicate that lots is going on behind the scenes.
Player exits are rumoured to make way for new incomers: This week there have been stories of midfielders James McAtee, Javi Guerra and Josh Brownhill all being linked to West Ham- obviously the centre of the park is being prioritised. And rightly so.
News also on rumoured target Jobe Bellingham. TBRFootball.com report that “The 19-year-old brother of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham is on the radar of Premier League duo Crystal Palace and West Ham United.”
However, Sunderland appear (understandably!) to want to try and hang on to their talented midfielder until the end of the season as the strive for promotion back into the Premier League : Reported again:”Sunderland’s stance towards Jobe Bellingham is similar – any talks pertaining to a future move will have to wait until the end of the season.”
I’m not holding my breath expecting West Ham to make Sunderland an offer they can’t refuse in the meantime – knowing how David Sullivan likes a deal I’d expect a less ‘glamour’ signing on the cheap in January. However, Bellingham will most likely be available in the Summer so don’t expect this interest from West Ham to evaporate, providing we perform well enough in the Premier League to remain an attractive option for new arrivals – this is one to watch for the future.
