West Ham and Arsenal are expected to be very busy indeed in the summer transfer window, with both clubs in desperate need of numerous signings.
However, the Spaniard needs to strengthen all over the park. Central midfield is still an area where the 57-year-old West Ham boss will want to improve.
In my opinion, we’re just not as strong in the engine room as some people think we are.
West Ham lost our best midfielder to Arsenal in the summer of 2023 when Declan Rice left the London Stadium to move to the Emirates in a £105 million deal, and he has been a huge hit for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Despite the fact that we received a huge fee for Dec, losing him obviously weakened us massively.
Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse arrived at the London Stadium, but our struggles throughout the campaign highlighted just how much we missed Rice, especially defensively.
We definitely lost a certain amount of dynamism, energy and athleticism when the midfielder swapped the London Stadium for the Emirates.
74 Premier League goals conceded last season highlights just how much we used to rely on the 25-year-old’s ability to shield the back-line.
And now the Gunners could be set to cause the Hammers even more pain in the transfer market…
Arsenal agree summer transfer window deal much to West Ham’s dismay
West Ham have so much work to do in the transfer market this summer, but we could be dealt a big blow by Arsenal before the majority of Lopetegui’s work has even started.
The Gunners may be about to highlight a truly monumental mistake from the Hammers.
That’s because Portuguese media outlet Leonino are claiming that Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting for £101.4 million, including add-ons.
Wow. The fact that he was there on a plate for us to sign last year, and we completely ignored him is incredibly frustrating now.
Gyokeres joined Sporting CP in the end, and went on to rack up a remarkable 43 goals and 15 assists in 50 games in all competitions for the Portuguese side.
The Swede is a willing runner, and is superb at stretching the opposition’s backline by making tireless runs into the channels. He is equally as strong with both feet and is very good at playing with his back to goal, holding up the ball and turning defenders.
He’s a lethal finisher and is perfectly built for the Premier League. What a shame it is for West Ham that we didn’t sign him last year, with Arsenal apparently now on the verge of bringing him to England in the summer transfer window.
The mistake made by Moyes and his transfer team last year really is being laid bare now.
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