West Ham’s season has been a mixed bag so far. An early exit from Europe, inconsistent league results and one of their star players downing tools have all added up to a feeling of discontent around the London Stadium.
Their fortunes have been looking up in recent weeks, though, and important wins over Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough have given supporters a lift and a feeling of optimism heading into the final months of the campaign.
The January transfer window is an important one for Slaven Bilic, as he looks to make the signings that can bring to the club to the next level, beyond the midtable blues.
The club have already confirmed the arrival of defender Jose Fonte, a player that is sure to add some much needed defensive steel to their backline, but who else should they target from their rivals?
Here are FIVE players on the fringes of Premier League squads that Bilic should move for this month…
Michy Batshuayi
Michy Batshuayi was a much-hyped summer signing for Chelsea last year after scoring 17 Ligue 1 goals in 2015/16, but he’s struggled to settle into life at Stamford Bridge.
Given that Chelsea paid a significant fee for him just a short time ago, a loan option might be the most sensible here, but that’d still be a terrific bit of business for West Ham.
Their strikers have struggled badly this term and although Andy Carroll is fully fit again and enjoying a resurgence in front of goal, there’s no guarantee he won’t end up on the treatment table again soon.
Simone Zaza has left the club meaning that getting some short-term cover while they wait to move on targets in the summer could be the best way forward.
Batshuayi hasn’t really had much of a chance to show what he can do at Chelsea, making zero starts in the Premier League, but he has scored in the cups for the Blues and would likely give West Ham a shot in the arm.
Carl Jenkinson
Carl Jenkinson was on the verge of joining Crystal Palace, as reported by The Mirror, but the move collapsed due to a failure to agree personal terms.
While Palace may not be able to afford his wages, West Ham likely could and a move for Jenkinson would solve their right-back problem this season.
Jenkinson is well known to Hammers fans having spent a significant time on loan at the club over the last few years.
Should the Irons try to outshine Palace and bring him to the London Stadium?
Bojan Krkic
If Dimitri Payet leaves this January then West Ham are going to be left with a big creative hole in the final third.
Payet may not be having as good a season as last but he’s still creating chances at a much higher rate than the rest of his team-mates.
With just five Premier League starts this season under Mark Hughes, Bojan would likely welcome a move to a team that suits his style of play and offers him a chance of regular first-team football.
Despite those limited starts he’s managed to score three goals this season.
The former Barca man may not hit the heights of Payet but given confidence and room to shine, he would at least go some way to filling that creative hole.
Nolito
As noted, if Payet leaves then the Irons are going to be seeking more creativity in the final third and could also use some pace in the wide areas.
Nolito could be a solution to both problems.
The left-winger has struggled to get a regular start under Pep Guardiola and has not played a Premier League game for close to a month.
Like Batshuayi, a loan move for the 30-year-old may be the best option for all parties – there’s no use in him sitting on the bench at City, especially when he’s not even being brought off it.
There’s an argument he may be more important again when City get back to European action but West Ham should be ambitious and at least sound out the possibility of a move.
Mamadou Sakho
Mamadou Sakho isn’t so much on the fringes of the Liverpool squad, he is miles away. The French international hasn’t featured once for Liverpool since a bust-up with Jurgen Klopp last summer and shows no signs of getting anywhere near a starting XI slot anytime soon.
That’s a shame because he is a fine defender on his day. After signing Jose Fonte, a move for Sakho would give Hammers fans a central defensive partnership to be proud of.
The Mirror reported that the Reds have already rejected loan moves for the defender so a permanent deal would need to be done to bring him to the London Stadium, but he could be a fine option for Bilic’s leaky defence.