West Ham supporters have been drowning their sorrows in the Transfer Tavern in the last few hours after seeing their side dismantled 4-1 by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
David Moyes’ men went into their encounter with the North London giants unbeaten in their previous three league games, picking up a win over Southampton and draws with Chelsea and Stoke City to pull clear of the relegation zone. And they were very much in the game at the Emirates on Sunday when Marko Arnautovic cancelled out Nacho Monreal’s opener midway through the second half, only for a brace from Alexandre Lacazette following Aaron Ramsey’s strike to seal a comprehensive success for Arsene Wenger’s side.
Subsequently, there have been many disappointed Hammers fans in the Tavern in the last few hours, several of whom were disappointed with their team’s capitulation in the second half, and are sincerely hoping that they put it right when they host champions Manchester City next weekend.
In the meantime though, there has been much for our resident West Ham supporters to get their teeth into, not least recent reports suggesting that they will seek to again sign Joe Hart from City this summer.
The England international made the move to the London Stadium at the start of the campaign but hasn’t always enjoyed the best of times in East London, to the point that he was dropped in favour of Adrian back in December for the next 15 Premier League games.
Yet it appears that his recent efforts in reclaiming the gloves may convince manager Moyes to make another move for the goalkeeper, although they should forget about Hart and instead seek to land these TWO shot-stoppers this summer…
Sam Johnstone
25-year-old Sam Johnstone has enjoyed a fine spell at Championship outfit Aston Villa this season on loan from Premier League giants Manchester United.
The Englishman has kept 20 clean sheets and conceded just 40 goals in his 44 league appearances for Steve Bruce’s men, playing a key part in helping the Midlands giants sustain a promotion push this term.
However, after penning a new one-year extension at Old Trafford, the Red Devils have reportedly slapped a £6.5 million price-tag on Johnstone’s shoulders, possibly pricing the Villains out of the race.
As such, the Hammers should look to land the 25-year-old this summer, with Johnstone very much proving his worth and indeed credentials for Villa this season to suggest that he could be a top Premier League keeper in years to come.
Jack Butland
Stoke City shot-stopper Jack Butland has propelled himself into England contention following a series of impressive displays for the Premier League strugglers this season.
The 25-year-old may have only kept five clean sheets in 32 Premier League appearances for Paul Lambert’s side this term, but he has made countless important saves to preserve crucial points in their battle against the bottom three.
Ultimately, the former Birmingham City keeper has proven his worth to the Potters this term, at the same time underlining his ability to perform at the highest level.
And with Butland seemingly ahead of Hart in the England pecking order, the Hammers should seek to land him instead this summer, a task likely to be made easier were Stoke to lose their top-flight status.
