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.
AFPDavid Moyes must find a way of replacing Declan Rice[/caption]
GettyJoao Palhinha is wanted by the Hammers[/caption]
Manchester United duo Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire have also been linkedGetty
GettyArsenal’s Folarin Balogun has been spoken about as a striker target[/caption]
One way West Ham could line-up next season
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.
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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.
GettyJames Ward-Prowse could replace Rice as West Ham captain[/caption]
GettyEdson Alvarez is also a target[/caption]
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.
GettyLeon Goretzka has been linked with a shock move to West Ham[/caption]
GettyWhile Harvey Barnes is a target for the wing position[/caption]
How West Ham could line-up next season with different transfers
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.
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