It’s certainly a good time to be a West Ham United fan, with the Hammers flying high in the Premier League and looking on good standing ahead of their historic move to the Olympic Stadium this summer.
With Dimitri Payet arriving from Marseille last summer, and quickly becoming a Premier League star, a precedent has been set for star players at West Ham that many could follow- and there’s a chance of some really exciting arrivals in East London this summer.
No more so than Chelsea captain John Terry, who has surprisingly been linked with a move across London despite stating he would never line-up for another Premier League side.
Whilst that signing is still unlikely, with all things considered, it’s certainly got the lads in the Transfer Tavern riled up and they’ve dived into the tabloids to see who else they could land this summer ahead of their inaugural season at the home of London’s 2012 Olympic success.
After reading the latest reports, they quickly gathered around to share their findings and they’ve identified five quality players who have a genuine chance of following Terry to West Ham this summer.
Hit John Terry to see FIVE players who could follow him to West Ham!
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Michy Batshuayi
The highly-rated Belgian striker has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months and whilst Tottenham Hotspur are considered favourites for his signature by the tabloids, West Ham have a genuine chance of beating their London rivals to his signature.
West Ham’s hopes of landing the 22-year-old Ligue 1 star are boosting by the success of Dimitri Payet in the Premier League, who previously played alongside Batshuayi in Marseille and he could help the young forward settle into his new surroundings.
With many of the eyes of Europe’s big guns keeping track of Batshauyi, it would be a major coup for the Hammers to beat them to the player’s signature but it could be a quality move for the player to help him develop further.
Havard Nordveit
A name some fans in the Transfer Tavern are familiar with, former Arsenal youngster Havard Nordveit is linked to West Ham as part of a double-raid on the Bundesliga. The 25-year-old has been a rousing success with Borussia Monchengladbach, particularly in their Champions League campaign.
With Gladbach locked in an excruciatingly tight battle for a top-four finish in the Bundesliga, that would see them qualify for Europe’s elite competition once again, a failure to land such a spot could see Nordveit return to England- and he’s available for a free transfer in the summer.
The Norwegian international would have plenty to prove and with former employers Arsenal amongst those being linked with his signature, it would be another significant coup from Slaven Bilic’s side.
Dominik Kohr
The other-half of a reported double-raid on the Bundesliga is FC Augsburg midfielder Dominik Kohr, who has impressed for the struggling Bavarian outfit this campaign and seems ready for a step-up to a higher level.
Kohr only signed for Augsburg last summer but has quickly become a crucial part of the relegation-fighting side, featuring in a total of 19 out of 21 matches. With previous experience with Bayer Leverkusen, he has the credentials to succeed in English football.
West Ham will face plenty of interest for the services of the former Germany U20 international though, who’s contract runs until 2019, as Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton are amongst those linked with his signature.
Jake Cooper
With Sam Byram impressing in the early stages of his West Ham career following a move from Championship outfit Leeds United, the Hammers seem to be keen on raiding the second-tier for talent once again.
This time their sights are set on Reading defender Jake Cooper, who wouldn’t be an immediate inclusion in the first-team but would instead bolster the Hammers’ squad depth and land them a 20-year-old with plenty of promise.
Whilst the lack of first-team assurances may knock their chances, Cooper has been a bit-part of the Royals squad this season and he’d be offered better terms in the Premier League, which may sway his decision.
Davide Santon
With a wealth of young talent linked to the club, it’s settling to see an experienced addition also touted with a summer move to West Ham United in the form of Davide Santon, who has Premier League experience thanks to a spell with Newcastle United.
The 25-year-old is a bit-part player for Inter Milan and is said to be keen on a return to the Premier League, where the left-back would provide competition and cover for the impressive Aaron Creswell- and West Ham’s potential exploits in Europe could provide a boost in their hunt.
Also keen on Santon’s services are Watford, Norwich City and Genoa but West Ham present what’s certainly a more appealing prospect.
