West Ham United boss Julen Lopetegui has now identified a clear area of weakness in his new squad, and has seemingly found a solution.
Perhaps signing a new striker will be at the forefront of Lopetegui and Tim Steidten’s plans, but work won’t stop there.
The club’s decision to part ways with David Moyes has put this new setup under immediate pressure – Lopetegui will need to swiftly demonstrate that he is an upgrade.
And the club will hope that success can stem from the Spaniards relationship with Steidten this summer, which is hoped to be fairly seamless.
Steidten proved his credentials with deals for players like Edson Alvarez and Mohammed Kudus last summer – who is now said to be worth double what West Ham paid.
And although Moyes and his technical director eventually saw eye to eye, the club seem to hope that Lopetegui’s appointment can provide an even better platform for Steidten to excel.
That being said, West Ham’s latest transfer target has seemingly stemmed directly from Lopetegui, who isn’t satisfied with the club’s goalkeeping department.
Julen Lopetegui wants West Ham to sign Premier League winner Asmir Begovic
According to Sunday’s edition of The Sun (02/06, page 60), West Ham are now interested in a deal for Asmir Begovic.
The 36-year-old, who picked up a Premier League winners medal with Chelsea in 2016/17, is envisioned by Lopetegui as the club’s new third-choice.
The West Ham manager is concerned by the lack of depth beyond Alphonse Areola and Lukasz Fabianski, with Joseph Anang set to move on.
Newcastle United are said to be interested in a deal too, as well as a number of clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Begovic is currently at Queens Park Rangers but is set to leave once his contract expires this month.
Along with Fabianski (39), Begovic’s arrival would leave West Ham with a very old goalkeeping department by Premier League standards, if not an immensely experienced one.
And whilst West Ham fans would hope that the club would never need to lean on their third choice regardless, it would seem a sensible signing.
Of course, West Ham are on the verge of completing some slightly more exciting signings too, and are said to be in the ‘final stages’ of talks for one ‘all-action’ player.