The fact that West Ham United is the only Premier League team without a summer signing is as surprising as it is unsettling for David Moyes and the team’s supporters. As the deadline for their league debut against Bournemouth approaches on August 12, West Ham is still no closer to finding a replacement for Declan Rice following his £105 million transfer to Arsenal, the team is in worse shape than it was at this point last year, and they have not yet named Mark Warburton and Paul Nevin’s replacements.
The urgent matter, though, is the protracted hunt for Rice’s replacement. Internally, the hierarchy was aware that this window represented their final opportunity to charge Rice a sizable price. But their efforts to succeed him have been haphazard, leaving nothing to be desired. Leading football agents were interviewed by The Athletic on the condition of anonymity in order to preserve ties, and some of them voiced displeasure with the way West Ham handled their business.
West Ham has a history of making unimpressive initial bids, and this summer is no exception. One example is the £20 million bid for Southampton leader James Ward-Prowse that was flatly turned down. Ward-Prowse, 28, is a seasoned Premier League player and a member of the England national team. The midfielder would enhance Moyes’ team since he excels at dead-ball situations. Currently, Moyes’ midfield options are Conor Coventry, Lucas Paqueta, Tomas Soucek, and Flynn Downes.
Coventry has barely participated in one minute of Premier League action, and Downes is currently the focus of trade rumors. Freddie Potts and Kamarai Simon-Swyer, both young players, have been loaned out for the full season to Wycombe Wanderers and Crawley Town, accordingly
West Ham Should Not Run The Same Mistakes Again
Conor Gallagher, wants to stay at West Ham and win over new boss Mauricio Pochettino despite Chelsea rejecting a £40 million approach from West Ham for the midfielder. Moyes is interested in signing Scott McTominay, a midfielder for Manchester United, although no bid has been made. West Ham made a £20 million offer for McTominay’s teammate Harry Maguire, which was swiftly turned down.
Maguire, who was relinquished of his United captaincy by Erik ten Hag prior to the new season, is wanted by Moyes, but it is unlikely that they will continue to pursue him given the amount of his pay, and it is also unknown whether the England center-back would be eager to transfer. However, efforts to improve their midfield alternatives have been difficult. West Ham have moved to other options after their £45 million bid for Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha was rejected.
Denis Zakaria’s projected loan transfer from Juventus has stalled, while negotiations with Ajax for midfielder Edson Alvarez have also stalled. West Ham completed their transaction late last summer, and it backfired as they were dragged into a relegation battle. Lucas Paqueta, Thilo Kehrer, and Emerson were late additions that struggled with form early in the season. Lessons have not been learned, and despite the allure of the Europa League, West Ham are playing catch-up.
But Moyes has reason for anxiety about more than simply the incomings. While Michail Antonio is still said to be joining Steven Gerrard’s new team, Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, Aaron Cresswell and Nikola Vlasic are eager to join Wolverhampton Wanderers and Torino. Emerson has replaced Cresswell in the lineup, and the 33-year-old was not included in the team that played for the 3-1 friendly loss to Rennes.
