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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

West Ham transfer window guide: Raphael Onyedika, Mohamed Kudus and plans for busy summer

Target: Raphael Onyedika - (Getty Images)

West Ham have a huge transfer window coming up as they look to kickstart Graham Potter’s reign as manager.

The Hammers spent big a year ago, when they were the sixth-biggest net spenders in Europe.

Both have since left and Kyle Macaulay has been brought in as his head of recruitment to work alongside Potter.

Top priority

There is plenty for West Ham to do, but a striker will be high on their shopping list.

Niclas Fullkrug endured an injury-hit first season and Potter was forced to get creative in his search for solutions.

Jarrod Bowen was among those to fill in as a striker when called upon and the Hammers need more depth in attack.

Jarrod Bowen starred for West Ham last season (Getty Images)

The club tried to address the issue during the January transfer window, when Evan Ferguson was signed on loan from Brighton.

The striker, however, had a miserable loan spell and failed to score during his eight appearances for West Ham.

What else they need

A new goalkeeper will be needed as Lukasz Fabianski is leaving after his contract expired, unless Wes Foderingham is promoted to become Alphonse Areola’s back-up.

The defence is in need of reinforcements, with full-backs Aaron Cresswell and Vladimir Coufal departing on free transfers.

A new centre-back could be on the cards as well, given the uncertainty around the futures of Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma.

West Ham’s midfield was short on pace last season and the club will look to address that this summer.

Much of the team’s attacking output was placed on Bowen’s shoulders and he needs more support going forward.

Possible ins

Given their need to strengthen all over the pitch, West Ham have been linked with a string of targets.

Lille forward Jonathan David is a player of interest to them, however they will face stiff competition from teams around Europe as he is available for free due to his contract expiring this month.

Wycombe striker Richard Kone, who was Player of the Season in League One, is another attacking target.

Wycombe striker Richard Kone is a target (Getty Images)

Daniel Cummings is set to join from Celtic.

In midfield, Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika and Lille’s Angel Gomes are both liked.

West Ham are also long-term admirers of England defender Fikayo Tomori.

Possible outs

West Ham have already announced that Cresswell, Fabianski, Coufal and Danny Ings will be leaving the club when their contracts expire at the end of this month.

Michail Antonio, who has not played for the Hammers since breaking his leg during a car crash in December, is also out of contract this summer and yet to agree fresh terms.

Zouma is out of contract after spending last season on loan with Al-Orobah FC in Saudi Arabia.

Maxwel Cornet, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Guido Rodriguez and Edson Alvarez could also go.

Mohamed Kudus may be a high-profile departure if West Ham need to raise funds.

Bowen is not for sale.

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