Journalist Jacob Steinberg has named every position West Ham United are in talks to strengthen and it’s very good news indeed.
There is no doubt David Moyes did a fine job at West Ham over the last four-and-a-half years.
But in terms of building a robust, balanced West Ham squad around young, hungry players – a pledge he made when returning to the club after studying the Red Bull model – he failed.
One look at the mess Julen Lopetegui is inheriting will tell you that.
The Spaniard has just 17 senior players. Meaning West Ham must make between six to eight signings this summer.
With a £100m budget, that leaves technical director Tim Steidten with a crude average of around £15m per player before further sales.
The rebuild issue goes beyond numbers and bodies, though.
West Ham need to improve their team and squad, as the second half of last season proved beyond any doubt.
The Hammers have only two goalkeepers capable – or with experience of – playing senior football let alone at the top level.
West Ham have just three centre-backs. There are serious concerns over the long-term fitness and availability of one of them, the captain Kurt Zouma, due to longstanding knee issues.
West Ham’s huge and unavoidable rebuild
Zouma’s mobility at times last season was nothing short of shocking.
The jury is still out on his partner Konstantinos Mavropanos.
And the other, Nayef Aguerd, reportedly wants out and is for sale with Atletico Madrid allegedly in for the inconsistent Moroccan.
At full-back West Ham have no depth whatsoever. Vladimir Coufal is a warrior and fan favourite. But he has shown his age at times, especially against some of the quicker wingers in the league.
Even if he is to stay first choice, West Ham have no back-up at right-back.
The Hammers really need a modern, pacy left-back to share the load with Emerson Palmieri too. His form dipped in the second half of last season and fans even though back-up Aaron Cresswell has signed an extension, supporters still feel a young new left-back is needed.
The midfield did not really work last season. Edson Alvarez, Tomas Soucek and James Ward-Prowse all have arguments for being key in their own way. Alvarez became a fundamental player but lost his place under Moyes towards the end of the campaign.
Ward-Prowse provided 18 goals and assists yet debate rages over whether he brings enough to the team in open play.
And Soucek is seen as a problem to the team’s midfield fluidity despite getting 10 goals and stopping goodness knows how many more with his selfless and dedicated defensive diligence at the other end.
Something is missing in central midfield and at least one of either Soucek or Ward-Prowse will have to make way to fix the problem.
Steinberg: Every position West Ham are in talks to strengthen
Up front Michail Antonio, who turns 35 next season, rediscovered some form but surely cannot be relied on as first choice striker yet again.
The Hammers are trying to move Danny Ings on after he became the latest in a long line of strikers to flop at West Ham.
So a new striker is a necessity – and most of them don’t come cheap. Especially the good ones.
The uncertainty around Lucas Paqueta means it would be negligent of West Ham not to sign a back-up for a worst case scenario there.
That’s just what is needed for the actual starting XI. Then you have to consider the actual depth of the squad too.
The good news is West Ham do not have their heads in the sand about the rebuild.
Because a journalist with strong contacts at the club has delivered a very welcome update.
Jacob Steinberg names every position West Ham are in talks to strengthen.
Hammers fans are worried that the club will not invest in the required positions and try to fudge it as has sometimes been the case in the past.
But The Guardian reporter Steinberg has shared some reassuring news about West Ham’s transfer plan.
West Ham finally set to address big issues
And it’s safe to say Steidten and Lopetegui are “on it” regarding what’s needed.
Steinberg confirmed news overnight that a deal for Luis Guilherme is close.
That would tick wide attacking box.
Steinberg states West Ham are genuinely in for Girona’s Spanish midfield ace Aleix Garcia.
That would tick the central midfield box.
He reports the moves are part of a plan to sign as many as many as six further players on top of Guilherme and Garcia including in the following positions: two central defenders, a striker, a left-winger and a left-back.
“West Ham are looking for six to eight signings this summer,” Steinberg claims.
“They have attempted to derail Bayer Leverkusen’s move for the Girona midfielder Aleix Garcia.
“Garcia is thought to have an agreement with Leverkusen but West Ham are not out of the running.
“Lopetegui is looking for two centre-backs and is determined to sign a new forward. West Ham have been scouring Europe for a No 9. They also want a left-back and a left winger.”