Sky Sports man reacts to exciting transfer news he’s heard out of West Ham
West Ham are said to be closing in on another hugely impressive signing and one Sky Sports man has reacted to the news.
Earlier this week Hammers News were reliably informed by a top club source that West Ham could make another three signings this month.
Now Julen Lopetegui has confirmed in first press conference of the new season that he still wants to add more signings to his squad.
The Spaniard told the media he wants two players fighting for every position.
Whether more signings arrive will depend on two or three current players deemed surplus to requirements being shipped out first.
Danny Ings, flop Maxwel Cornet and inconsistent defenders Nayef Aguerd and Konstantinos Mavropanos are all available for transfer under the right conditions. Some others could also be offloaded if acceptable offers arrive.
Lopetegui wants two players for every position at West Ham
Lopetegui has also confirmed big earner Kurt Zouma remains in talks to leave West Ham.
The Hammers want another central midfielder, a younger, pacy forward and – ideally – another versatile defender who can play full-back and centre-back.
West Ham continue to be linked with a number of players.
That’s despite making eight impressive signings so far.
So impressive in fact that West Ham are widely regarded to have “won the transfer window” in the Premier League so far.
Speculation is intensifying that the east Londoners could be closing in on signing number nine.
And now a Sky Sports man has reacted to exciting transfer news he’s heard out of West Ham.
Sky Sports man reacts to exciting West Ham transfer news
Fabrizio Romano today confirmed big news on two West Ham targets.
Firstly that the Hammers’ hopes of signing French midfielder Youssouf Fofana are move as he signs for Milan.
Secondly, that the club are making a concrete move for PSG’s Spanish midfielder Carlos Soler.
Romano has confirmed that Soler, who was part of the Spain squad under Lopetegui, ‘could be the next one’ West Ham sign.
The PSG outcast has been heavily linked for several weeks.
And Lopetegui is said to have received positive feedback when speaking to Soler about a possible move to east London.
He is rated at around £15m by PSG and Romano says West Ham’s interest is concrete.
Soler arrival could give Lopetegui a big challenge
Dougie Critchley is a top Sky Sports expert and analyst with detailed knowledge of leagues and players across Europe.
He has been extremely impressed by West Ham’s business so far.
Hearing the club is closing on Soler, Critchley says the club’s transfer window will have been so good it will give Lopetegui a big problem.
“As Fabian Ruiz proved at the Euros, struggling at a mammoth club does not mean you’re a bad player… And Carlos Soler grew into a great player at Valencia,” Critchley said.
“If West Ham do sign him, I think their biggest issue could be keeping all these players happy with no European football.
“Are players like (James) Ward-Prowse, (Mohammed) Kudus and (Lucas) Paqueta happy to be rotated?!
“Could be a challenge for Lopetegui!”
If Soler does arrive it will surely be bad news for Tomas Soucek or Ward-Prowse.
Soler is known for his set-piece expertise and is a much better player in open play than both Soucek and Ward-Prowse.
Soler can play in a variety of roles in the middle of the park, including as a defensive shield or in attacking midfield.
Soucek can be a huge goal threat in the right team. That might suggest he should be retained over Ward-Prowse.
But the former Saints skipper counts as homegrown and has been handed the number eight shirt this season – which would suggest he might sticking around.