A year ago, West Ham went into the January transfer window in the middle of a relegation fight and against the backdrop of a summer spending spree that, at the time, was yet to really work out.
Danny Ings was their only signing that month, scoring vital goals in a win against Nottingham Forest that might have kept David Moyes in a job, but failing to deliver much since.
This time around, the Hammers are in far ruder health and the club’s recruitment team, including newly-arrived technical director Tim Steidten, proved themselves shrewd operators in using their Declan Rice windfall to land Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse in the summer.
However, Moyes does not appear desperate to make bulk additions to his squad unless players are sold, with Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules and uncertainty over who will be in the dugout by the start of next season also complicating affairs.
Top priority
Whether or not it should be top of the bill is another question, but in recent weeks Moyes has made clear his desire to sign a new left winger.
Patience appears to have finally run dry with Said Benrahma, who has been on the fringes this term, while Maxwel Cornet has never made a serious breakthrough following his arrival 18 months ago.
Lucas Paqueta has been superb playing out of position, but a specialist arrival on the left would allow the Brazilian to return to a central berth and add to Moyes’s rotation options, with Jarrod Bowen and Kudus also capable of playing across the line.
What else they need
At some point, the Hammers will have to sign a centre-forward but Moyes is concerned about the standard of options available which is, in part, why he is looking to add more goals from out wide.
Cover for Alvarez is desperately needed, with the Mexican’s importance as the only natural holding midfielder in Moyes’s squad highlighted by his absence for the recent 5-0 defeat at Fulham.
Options beyond the first-choice centre-back pair are similarly thin, with Konstantinos Mavropanos yet to convince and Angelo Ogbonna ageing. Full-back upgrades may wait until the summer.
Possible ins
The Hammers explored a deal for Paris Saint-Germain's Hugo Ekitike last summer and Moyes is a known admirer of Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah, who could leave the Emirates Stadium.
In midfield, the same goes for Kalvin Phillips, whose situation at Manchester City is being monitored with interest, while Juventus winger Filip Kostic is another long-term target.
Harry Maguire’s return to favour at Manchester United has ended hopes of signing the England defender.
Joe Worrall could present an interesting option for cover at centre-back - West Ham were interested two summers ago and the Englishman is out of favour at Nottingham Forest.
Possible outs
West Ham are open to offers for Pablo Fornals, having recently extended his contract to protect his value.
The same goes for Cornet, though Africa Cup of Nations call-ups and the need to cover Kudus’s absence are complicating affairs.
Ings is reportedly a target for a number of Championship clubs but is on wages none could afford, while Thilo Kehrer has also been linked with an exit having struggled for playing time.
Several of the youngsters that won last season’s FA Youth Cup are expected to leave on loan, while Ben Johnson may be sold heading into the final six months of his contract.
