How West Ham could line up after spending £105m Declan Rice money with team capable of challenging for Europe
WEST HAM could have a very different look next season after spending the money brought in from Declan Rice’s sale.
The club captain joined Arsenal in a deal worth £105million but his exit has left a big hole in the team.
Manager David Moyes, must now find a way of strengthening his team without the ability of Rice.
It is a crucial summer for the club as they are preparing for a third consecutive season in European football having won the Conference League in the last campaign.
The Hammers have already been linked with a host of midfielders as they look to splash the cash.
One player that has been tipped with a move to the London Stadium is Ajax‘s Edson Alvarez.
The Mexican international is a defensive midfielder and would be able to protect the backline, although he does lack the attacking capabilities of Rice.
Borussia Dortmund had been in talks to sign Alvarez but were unwilling to match the £34million asking price, which gives Moyes’ side a clear run at him.
Another defensive midfielder on West Ham‘s radar is Fulham star Joao Palhinha.
Fulham have already rejected one bid for the Portuguese ace but it is expected that the Hammers could up their £40m offer.
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Another midfielder that has been heavily linked with interest from West Ham is Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse.
The set-piece ace could be available following the Saints’ relegation from the Premier League.
While Ward-Prowse is not as defensively sound as Rice, he is a more creative midfielder and could add more goals to the West Ham midfield.
Last season, he netted nine goals in the Premier League, the same amount as Rice, Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta combined.
The Hammers have also been linked with Manchester United duo Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire.
The Red Devils are believed to be willing to sell the duo this summer in order to boost Erik ten Hag’s transfer kitty.
West Ham have seen a loan bid rejected for Maguire already as United would prefer to sell their now ex-captain.
Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher and former Blues loanee Denis Zakaria have also been rumoured as targets of the club.
Both players could perform the box-to-box role that Rice was doing, but not to the same quality.
West Ham have also suggested that some of the Rice money will be used on a new attacker.
A left-field option has also emerged for the Hammers as reports have linked the club to Bayern Munich star Leon Goretzka.
The German has fallen out of favour under manager Thomas Tuchel and is reportedly available for £34m.
Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun has been linked with a move as he aims for guaranteed first-team football after a successful loan at Stade de Reims last season.
While Leicester City’s Harvey Barnes is also a target of West Ham as they could try and upgrade on Said Benrahma.
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and confirmed switches from the world of football