Transfer Talk: Deals West Ham must Iron out before window shuts

After a slow start in the transfer market, West Ham have made five signings — spending more than £100million.

Nayef Aguerd, Alphonse Areola, Flynn Downes, Gianluca Scamacca and Maxwel Cornet have already pitched up at the London Stadium.

But the Hammers need further additions if they are to avoid a repeat of last season when injuries and a deep Europa League run finally caught up with David Moyes' side in their battle for a top-six finish.

Ahead of this afternoon's Premier League tussle with Nottingham Forest, we look at the areas for attention.

The need

After securing a Europa Conference League play-off place, West Ham could compete on four fronts once more.

The Hammers amassed 56 games during an exhausting 2021-22 campaign, ultimately suffering a heartbreaking Europa League semi-final defeat as a thin squad reached breaking point.

If they are to avoid a repeat, Moyes will need to be equipped with greater quality in depth.

As if to prove the point, the Hammers had two goalkeepers and three youngsters on the bench against Manchester City last weekend.

Speaking ahead of that game, a bullish Moyes said: "In my mind, we're far from finished. I think we have to do an awful lot more than what we've done at the moment and hopefully I'll be able to do that."

Left-back

The glaring shortcoming in West Ham’s squad is at left-back where, at 32, Aaron Cresswell is the only out-and-out left-sided full-back.

Hammer of the Year in 2014-15, the ex-Ipswich defender is into his ninth season with the East Londoners.

Homegrown youngster Ben Johnson has deputised for Cresswell previously. But he found himself at centre-back against Manchester City on Sunday.

But he is a right footer and will battle with Vladimir Coufal for the right-back slot following Ryan Fredericks' move to Bournemouth.

One option could be £10m-rated Fenerbahce defender Attila Szlai.

The Hungarian international can play at left-back and in central defence — something that would appeal to Moyes.

Centre-back

Although they have already splashed a reported £30m on Aguerd, West Ham could still do with addressing the heart of defence.

Issa Diop, 25, has joined West London rivals Fulham in a £15m deal.

There are also question marks about Angelo Ogbonna's continued involvement. The 34-year-old has become increasingly injury prone and is expected to play a back-up role this term.

That leaves only Kurt Zouma and Craig Dawson to supplement Aguerd, who is already sidelined with a hamstring problem.

According to reports, Borussia Dortmund defender Dan-Axel Zagadou could be heading to East London on a free transfer.

The Frenchman, 23, is also wanted by Jose Mourinho at Roma. He left Borussia Dortmund in June after injuries restricted him to just 67 Bundesliga appearances in five seasons.

Another option is Paris Saint-Germain's Thilo Kehrer, 25. Surplus to requirements in Paris, West Ham have reportedly offered £17m for the German.

Central midfield

This is the first season West Ham have started without club legend Mark Noble since 2003-04.

After 550 appearances for his boyhood club, 'Mr West Ham' retired in the summer, leaving a significant hole behind him in midfield.

Former Swansea midfielder Downes has stepped up from the Championship but Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek are the Hammers' only central midfielders with real top-flight experience.

After missing out on Napoli’s Piotr Zielinski and Everton new-boy Amadou Onana, West Ham could now move for Strasbourg's Ibrahima Sissoko.

At 6ft 3in, the 24-year-old is physically imposing. Unsurprisingly, he ranked fifth for successful aerial duels per 90 among all Ligue 1 central midfielders last term (2.3).

Versatile attacker

Although the Hammers' squad is stacked with attacking midfielders, there are question marks against some — chiefly Nikola Vlasic, who has now joined Torino on loan.

Said Benrahma could follow the Croatian out the door with Moyes prepared to listen to offers for the Nottingham Forest target.

Another versatile attacker who could play anywhere in attack could come in handy.

Watford striker Emmanuel Dennis had been linked with a switch to the London Stadium all summer, but the Nigerian has now joined newly-promoted Forest.

Missing out on that target has seen links to Chelsea striker Armando Broja re-emerge.

The Albanian enjoyed an impressive breakthrough season on loan at Southampton in 2021-22, netting nine goals in all competitions.

Having been limited to just 15 minutes of action in the Blues' first game of the Premier League season, the offer of regular action at the London Stadium could well entice the 20-year-old.

While similar to current options Michail Antonio and Gianluca Scamacca in featuring more centrally, it could prove a handy deal to get done before the window closes.