Over the past two years we have looked to bring high-achieving players from the Championship to the club.
At first this was considered a risky ploy but the significant success of the likes of Aaron Cresswell and Michail Antonio mean that we will probably look to the Championship again this summer for a few options.
Here I look at one player from each club that could make the step up and join our team this summer…
The Arsenal academy product has spent the past two seasons on loan in the Championship with spells at Brentford and Birmingham respectively. The 21 year-old former Barcelona youth player is unlikely to break into the Arsenal squad but could be a useful future player for West Ham to explore.
Ben Marshall – Blackburn
We all saw what this boy can do in the FA Cup when he cut inside from right back and scored with his weaker foot to put Blackburn ahead. Marshall could compete with Byram for a starting spot, whilst also being able to operate higher up the field.
Zach Clough – Bolton
Amidst a bleak season for Bolton, Zach Clough has emerged as a bright point. Wanderers are resigned to letting the 21 year-old striker/attacking midfielder go and he could be decent back-up with potential to challenge for first-team spots.
Jake Bidwell – Brentford
Jake Bidwell, 23, has made over 200 appearances for Brentford, where he is captain. The left-back is a tremendous, passionate leader with maturity beyond his years and would provide suitable back-up for Aaron Cresswell should Stephen Hendrie depart this summer.
Anthony Knockaert – Brighton
Knockaert is an incredibly skilful winger who would be a welcome addition to our attacking line, should Brighton fail to win promotion. The 24 year-old’s talents are wasted in the Championship where he beats defenders with ease. The only concern would be attitude – something you’d imagine Slaven Bilic would sort out.
Joe Bryan – Bristol City
Joe Bryan, regarded as the best talent to come out of the Bristol City academy in years, is described by supporter Liam Ryan as a “speedy and tenacious” winger, wing back or central midfielder. He needs to add more goals to his game, “but at 22 has plenty of time to develop”.
Andre Gray – Burnley
Andre Gray has been one of the main reasons that Burnley have bounced straight back up to the Premier League this year. The Championship’s top scorer has 22 league goals to his name but would be tough to prise away from the newly-promoted club.
David Marshall – Cardiff
Marshall was Cardiff’s star man when they had their year in the Premier League and is too good for the Championship. He would be a good option to have in the squad but that’s only if either Adrian or Darren Randolph departs.
Ademola Lookman – Charlton
Lookman is only 18 years old but is being tracked by the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham already. The pacy winger/striker has already shown his trickery for Charlton this season and looks set to leave as the Addicks prepare for life in League One.
Will Hughes – Derby
Will Hughes has been courted by a number of Premier League suitors for years so it’s remarkable to think that he’s still only 21. The attacking midfielder has been hampered with injuries of late but is now back playing and looking promising again.
Moussa Dembele – Fulham
Fulham have had a third consecutive torrid year, narrowly avoiding relegation and look set to lose star strikers Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele. The latter is a French youth international who is highly sought after. The 19 year-old nearly joined Tottenham in January but there is a chance he could be tempted to move to East London instead.
Nahki Wells – Huddersfield
Bermuda international Nahki Wells has consistently scored goals for Bradford and Huddersfield. The 5’7’’ striker is entering the prime of his career and, if available for cheap, would not be the worst option to have as a back-up poacher.
Moses Odubajo – Hull
He might only be 22-years-old, but Moses Odubajo has over 100 first-team appearances for Leyton Orient as well as two full impressive seasons in the Championship with Brentford and Hull. The quick full-back can also play on the wing and looks ready to step up to the Premiership with West Ham in the market for a right back.
Teddy Bishop – Ipswich
19-year-old central midfielder Teddy Bishop has been one of the standout performers for Ipswich over the past two years. Bishop could be a promising option for the future in an already competitive position for the Hammers.
Lewis Cook – Leeds
The England U19 international is one of the country’s brightest prospects. The combative central midfielder also has skill and guile to his game and might be tempted to follow Sam Byram to West Ham this summer.
Gaston Ramirez – Middlesbrough
25-year-old Ramirez has been a revelation at Middlesbrough. There is no denying his ability and he always has the potential to produce a magic moment. If Boro fail to win promotion to the Premier League, he might be a handy acquisition for the squad as he is out of favour at Southampton.
Jake Forster-Caskey – Milton Keynes
Forster-Caskey is on loan at Milton Keynes from Brighton and has impressed during his temporary stint despite MK’s league struggles. The 22 year-old might be tempted to step up to the Premier League if an offer is made and Brighton don’t achieve promotion.
Ben Osborn – Nottingham Forest
Ben Osborn is a versatile, young, hard-working player who could be a shrewd purchase for the future. Comfortable in the middle or on the left, in defence or in midfield, the 21 year-old has plenty of potential and is highly regarded at Forest.
Daniel Johnson – Preston
23-year-old Daniel Johnson is enjoying a successful campaign, leading Preston’s goalscoring charts from central midfield. The former Aston Villa youth player would add some creativity to West Ham’s central midfield ranks.
Leroy Fer – QPR
Fer is currently on loan at Premier League Swansea and is likely to be moved on in the summer as QPR prepare for another year in the second-tier. Fer has proven his Premier League pedigree with top performances at Norwich, QPR and Swansea and would probably be available for a cut-price deal if Swansea don’t snap him up first.
Jake Cooper – Reading
As described by Reading season ticket holder, James Flynn, Cooper is an “old-school big English centre back who is very tough to beat in the air”. Aged just 21, Cooper could be an option to explore for the future.
Joe Newell – Rotherham
23-year-old Joe Newell has been one of Rotherham’s top performers this season as a late surge helped the Millers avoid relegation. The versatile former-Peterborough player would be back-up for full back, wing and central midfield positions.
Joe Wildsmith – Sheffield Wednesday
Wednesday’s youth goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith is an exciting prospect and, at the age of 20, could learn a lot from Adrian and Darren Randolph. The England youth international has already kept clean sheets against Arsenal and Newcastle in the cup.
Dominic Iorfa – Wolves
Iorfa is a player we have been linked with and that’s not surprising considering his reputation and experience at just 20 years old. The England U-21 international would provide healthy competition with Sam Byram for a starting right back spot.
