wicked.football

West Ham have turned their attention to a Premier League player who has struggled for game time in the past year, according to a report.

The Hammers are set to face the difficult task of juggling their usual Premier League campaign with a Europa League challenge. But despite this increased workload, David Moyes hasn’t added to his squad anywhere near as much as would have been expected.

So far this window the east London side have confirmed the permanent arrival of Craig Dawson and the loan signing of goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

Having lost the significant presence of last season’s loanee Jesse Lingard, their squad is if anything weaker than the one that finished the 2020/21 season.

Finding a replacement for the attacking midfielder has been one of many targets for Moyes this summer.

At the other end of the pitch they also face difficulties. Dawson, 31, was a surprise package at centre-back last season and tying him down to a two-year deal was positive news.

However, he is one of just three senior central defenders in the squad. Angelo Ogbonna and Issa Diop are the two other options.

Aged 33, Ogbonna is no spring chicken. And Diop has failed to convince his manager that he can perform to the required level of England’s top flight.

Therefore, a centre-back addition is essential before the summer transfer window closes at the end of August.

The club’s main target appeared to be Nikola Milenkovic from Fiorentina. This was until it was reported yesterday that a deal could not be agreed between the parties.

With time not on their side, the Hammers have quickly moved onto an alternative. That’s according to Football Insider. 

They report Aston Villa’s Kortney Hause has been added to their target list after it was suggested he could be available.

Hause made 18 Premier League appearances for Villa upon their return from the Championship, but found minutes harder to come by last season.

The 26-year-old has just a year left on his contract. As he is behind Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Axel Tuanzebe in the pecking order, Villa might opt to cash in.

West Ham’s transfer woes continue

Meanwhile, Tottenham will take the lead in the race for Igor Gomes by submitting a higher transfer offer than West Ham for the Sao Paulo midfielder, a report claims.

Both London clubs and Liverpool have held interest in the Brazilian 22-year-old for some time.

While Liverpool’s links with a move emerged first, though, they have tailed off. As such, London duo West Ham and Spurs look the most interested parties at the moment.

Earlier reports in fact talked of a West Ham bid. That report came from outlet Homme du Match in France.

The same source now says that Tottenham have also ‘positioned’ themselves in the race for Gomes.

READ MORE: Tottenham to trump West Ham with highest Prem bid yet for attacking sensation

The post West Ham eye Prem fringe alternative after first-choice plans scuppered appeared first on TEAMtalk.