West Ham are said to be targeting as many as six summer signings as they look towards a new future under Julen Lopetegui.
An official announcement is not expected until the current season is over, but Spanish coach Lopetegui has reached an agreement with the Hammers to take over as manager when David Moyes departs the team at the end of this one.
With Lopetegui joining West Ham, the team will go closer to a more European-style management structure, giving Tim Steidten, the technical director, more authority over hiring and transfer policies. There have been arguments between the German and David Moyes over matters like transfer targets since the German joined West Ham last year.
As the Hammers prepare for what might be a hectic summer, The Evening Standard reports that Steidten will collaborate closely with Lopetegui to rebuild the first team roster. A center forward and at least one additional center back are among the players that West Ham is interested in signing.
Tosin Adarabioyo of Fulham, whose contract expires this summer, is a potential new center back that the club is interested in. Former Wolves captain Max Kilman, who collaborated with Lopetegui at Wolves, has also been considered by the Hammers in the past.
Although West Ham is anticipated to recruit six new players this summer, according to The Evening Standard, an ex-West Ham employee believes the number could end up being greater.
The team must focus on developing players from within the organization, or else they risk breaking Premier League rules. Clubs are only allowed to have a maximum of 17 non-qualified players in their roster due to these regulations. Of the current homegrown players the Hammers have on their roster, Danny Ings could be traded, Ben Johnson and Aaron Cresswell have expiring contracts, and Kalvin Phillips’ loan is due to expire.
