West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed he is ready to spend the extra transfer funds generated by Pedro Obiang’s £8million move to Sassuolo.
The Hammers used a large chunk of their transfer budget on the £45m signing of Sebastien Haller but the sale of Obiang will boost cash reserves at the London Stadium.
Pellegrini has said he is happy with his squad but the Chilean is keen to strengthen further after the signings of Haller and Spain Under-21 midfielder Pablo Fornals for £24m.
West Ham may not need to sign a direct replacement for Obiang because they already have Mark Noble, Declan Rice, Jack Wilshere and Carlos Sanchez in central midfield.
Pellegrini is thought to be open to signing another forward, with Haller and Javier Hernandez the only recognised senior strikers at the club.
Obiang was in Italy on Wednesday finalising his switch to Sassuolo and Pellegrini said: [If West Ham get a] good offer and the player wants to go - not a problem, we will replace him.”
West Ham also hope to offload Jordan Hugill to generate further transfer funds.
Bristol City and West Brom are among the Championship teams interested in the 27-year-old, who joined from Preston for £10m last January but has made just three substitute appearances for the Hammers and spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough.
Meanwhile, West Ham defender Issa Diop has returned to training after missing the final game of their tour of China and is fit for the start of the new season.
