West Ham United are looking to rediscover the form that saw them move into the top four shortly before Christmas.
The East Londoners have enjoyed a cracking 2014/15 campaign to date and previously under huge pressure from the West Ham faithful, Sam Allardyce has remarkably managed to turn around their fortunes with some shrewd business in last summer’s transfer window.
The Hammers suffered a 2-0 defeat at Anfield last time out on a day in which in-form striker Andy Carroll was forced to leave the pitch injured.
Irons supporters hoping to be cheered up with some deadline day business were left disappointed as the Hammers missed out on a reported eight transfer targets on deadline day.
Sam Allardyce was clearly looking to add a couple more names to build on the Hammers’ impressive season so far with European qualification a genuine possibility.
But everyone connected with the club will have to make the best of what they already have, as we identify the transfer XI the Hammers could’ve had this January.
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Click on Sam Allardyce to reveal the transfer XI West Ham United could’ve had this January.
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Mattia Perin
The form of Spanish goalkeeper Adrian has been decent this season and there has been nothing to suggest the Hammers are in the market for a new goalkeeper.
But with back-up stopper Jussi Jaakselainen at the ripe old age of 39, a new keeper to challenge Adrian may be needed in the near future.
Twenty-two-year-old Italian Mattia Perrin is rated as one of the best young goalkeepers in Europe and has been linked with a move to the Premier League at various points over the past few months, with the players agent saying that current club Genoa would be willing to sell for the right price.
Younes Kaboul, Sylvian Distin, Vlad Chiriches
Centre back was the area in which most West Ham fans were hoping the club would strengthen during the January transfer window.
The club were linked with a host of loan moves on deadline day, with Tottenham duo Younes Kaboul and Vlad Chiriches both made available according to reports.
But Tottenham chairmen Daniel Levy was reluctant to help strengthen a direct rival whilst a move for Everton’s experienced centre back Sylvain Distin was also put on hold with the Toffees eager to keep their small squad together for the remainder of the season.
Jesse Lingard, Darren Fletcher, Tim Cahill, Andre Ayew
West Ham were rumoured to be eager to take advantage of the cut-price sale going on at Manchester United on deadline day. Talented wide man Jesse Lingard was made available for loan and would have represented a shrewd piece of business given his obvious ability, as well as the fact United would have liked to have seen him gain some Premier League experience. However it was Championship title chasers Derby who completed the loan signing.
Likewise the Hammers missed out on two experienced central midfielders with Darren Fletcher moving from Manchester United to West Bromwich Albion whilst Tim Cahill was mentioned by some as a better alternative to Kevin Nolan. He made the switch to China having announced his departure from the MLS on deadline day.
Ghanaian winger Andre Ayew is a man who has been linked with the Hammers frequently over the past 12 months, yet a move for the Marseille man never materialised but should not be ruled out as a possibility for the summer.
Bafetimbi Gomis, Emmanuel Adebayor, Andre-Pierre Gignac
The final hours of deadline saw the drama centre around West Ham’s pursuit of Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor. But once again, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy was reluctant to deal with a direct rival, meaning the Hammers will have to make do with the firepower they have for the remainder of the season.
Allardyce was clearly eager to add another striker to the ranks, having been linked with Swansea City’s Bafetimbi Gomis – a move that was never going to happen after Wilfried Bony’s move to Manchester City – as well as a move for French forward Andre-Pierre Gignac.
The Marseille forward is another who has been linked often over the past few months and is also someone capable of playing in the wide positions.
