The January window is now just over a month away and West Ham have showed they could be a real force with a key addition or two.
There was something about West Ham’s 2-0 win up at Newcastle.
Yes the Hammers rode their luck at times. Yes there have been a couple of false dawns prior to this.
But the manner in which West Ham approached the game, played for 90 minutes and won deservedly made a statement.
West Ham were tipped by many – including Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher – to qualify for Europe this season.
Football fans, pundits and journalists were impressed by the club’s summer business.
It was hard not to be.
Hammers technical director Tim Steidten finally had the reins from David Moyes and he was making up for lost time after seeing a host of deals vetoed by the Scot last January.
Nine players arrived, 12 were shipped out.
In came a new manager in Julen Lopetegui.
And just to underline the club’s aims, his two-year contract will become three should he lead West Ham back into Europe.
What had transpired since had put Lopetegui on the brink and Steidten under pressure too.
Now the likes of Carragher have been laughing at the Hammers.
West Ham’s players responded in emphatic fashion to their manager being on the chopping block.
Their performance was filled with all the things that had been sorely lacking as Newcastle were swept aside.
Now the east Londoners can dare to dream of Europe again. Especially given the wide open nature of the Premier League this season.
Journalist’s Ferguson claim will have West Ham boss in raptures
The Hammers are just four points off sixth-placed Spurs.
Fans feel the right shrewd moves in January can fine tune the rebuild in key areas – especially up front.
West Ham will be looking to sign a striker in the winter window.
Niclas Fullkrug has been a disaster so far having made just three substitute appearances before being ruled out for three months and counting.
Club insiders have revealed Fullkrug is unsettled and already wants to leave West Ham.
West Ham fans desperately wanted to see Steidten and Lopetegui sign a young, powerful striker who could be the club’s main man up top for years to come.
So when they brought in an injury-prone 31-year-old with a lack of pace, it was underwhelming.
Hammers supporters feel that younger, more dynamic forward would help complete the jigsaw in a team that’s now showing signs of being a real force.
So Sam Wallace’s claim about missing piece Evan Ferguson will have West Ham boss Lopetegui in raptures.
In terms of elite young strikers, they don’t come much better than Irishman Ferguson.
Speculation has been doing the rounds lately that Brighton might look to offload the 20-year-old – who has been likened to Harry Kane.
That has seen Hammers fans flood social media with pleas for Steidten and co to go after Ferguson.
Well it seems there is very good news for them and Lopetegui.
Striker available, wants move and West Ham are interested
Because reliable Telegraph journalist Wallace claims not only is Ferguson available but that West Ham are interested.
Better still Brighton’s initial terms would suit the Hammers down to the ground and – crucially – Ferguson is desperate for a move to another Premier League club.
It gets even better, though. Of the clubs reportedly interested, West Ham are by far the biggest.
In an exclusive, Wallace says Ferguson is frustrated at being behind three other forwards under new boss Fabian Hurzeler – himself a target for Steidten in the summer.
Wallace suggests West Ham, Fulham and Leicester are all interested. Newcastle are mentioned as a club struggling to score goals. But that looks like a red herring given they have Alexander Isak up top.
Brighton are open to loaning Ferguson out initially in January.
That would suit West Ham in terms of PSR.
Although it is stated the Seagulls would prefer not to do a permanent deal, it is not ruled out entirely.
So there is every chance an option or obligation to buy could be built into any loan deal.
With Mohammed Kudus to come back soon, on paper Ferguson looks like he would be exactly what West Ham need.
He could be the focal point and finisher leading the line supported by the likes of Kudus, Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen.
That is some forward line and would almost certainly make West Ham the real deal for a tilt at a European spot.
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