The January transfer window closed on Monday evening with no further revenue generated at the London Stadium.
On Tuesday morning, David Moyes spoke of a “summer reconstruction” for his team.
West Ham’s only signing that year was the prospect of Frederick Alves, who turned Said Benrahma’s loan into permanent move and took Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard for a five-month temporary stay in East London
In the departure lounge, Robert Snodgrass was given a free transfer to West Bromwich Albion and Sebastien Haller, who signed the club record, suffered a £ 20m loss to Ajax.
There were loans from the club for the youngsters Goncalo Cardoso, Oladapo Afolayan and Aji Alese. Seasoned center-back Winston Reid left the club temporarily to join Brentford for the remainder of the season.
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Moyes confirmed that he got access to funds to spend on the squad and specifically on a striker, but with the right man not available in that window he wouldn’t sign a player just to “appease people”.
Since the manager mentioned a remodel, we figured it was time to look into the decision he’ll have to make over the next few months:
Contracts expire
Four high-profile players have reached the end of their contracts this summer and the decisions Moyes makes about them will have a big impact on where his priorities are in the transfer market.
Lukasz Fabianski is the undisputed number 1 of the club. He will turn 36 in April but shows no signs that age is catching up with him. The renewal of his contract allows Moyes to focus on other areas of the pitch that need reinforcement.
If the Pole is allowed to leave the club for free, a new goalkeeper is essential. Darren Randolph is an excellent support, but not in the same category as Fabianski and during Nathan Trott He has great potential and is not ready for regular first-team action.
David Martins The story at West Ham is wonderful and fans will be sad to see him leave, but if Trott gets more experience, Martin’s time at the club could be good when his contract ends on June 30th.
In defense a decision about the future of Fabian Balbuena will be needed soon. The Paraguayan started this season as one of the first choice center-backs but has been relegated to third choice since the Christmas season Craig Dawson and Angelo Ogbonna.
At 29, Balbuena still has a few good years ahead of him and hopes to prove its worth to the club as the season progresses.
The last player on this list will surely be the toughest for Moyes and the board.
Mark Noble is club captain and has played more than 500 games since joining the academy in 2003.
Noble has started five games in all competitions this year and has been a regular for the past few weeks.
Loans expire
Craig Dawson It took him two months to start for The Hammers when he was loaned out in October, but he’s been ubiquitous ever since, forming a great partnership with Ogbonna at the heart of defense.
The 30-year-old’s loan agreement includes a purchase option clause that West Ham can activate for around £ 2m.
Jesse Lingard was West Ham’s big signing in January, his loan includes no option or obligation to buy and when things start he will be returning to Manchester United on July 1st.
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Striker Search
One position that must be filled, regardless of what Moyes decides about the six players mentioned above, is the place in the squad that Haller has left free.
The number of strikers West Ham has been linked with over the past few weeks could almost fill the London stadium but none have arrived. Moyes wanted a striker, he said he “needed” one, but with the right man who is not available he plays the long game.
The club now has five months to search the globe for exactly the man Moyes believes is “the right type of player”.
