West Ham have recently developed a shrewd business plan by investing in players that have consistently performed in the Championship.

These players tend to carry a lesser price tag and they usually produce results too.

Aaron Cresswell was the first instance of this working as he won Hammer of the Year in his first season at the club.

Since then Michail Antonio has proved to be a hit since his deadline day switch from Nottingham Forest and Sam Byram of Leeds looks like another promising capture.

So I have decided to pick out some more Championship players that could make the step up to the Premier League and join us in line with this new transfer policy…

CLICK HERE TO REVEAL

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Lewis Cook

One of the most hidden talented gems in the Championship has recently been discovered and courted by Premier League sides.

Operating as a combative but attack-minded central midfielder, Lewis Cook already seems to offer the full package despite only being 18-years-old.

His game shows maturity beyond their years and whilst fellow Leeds youngsters have been stealing the headlines – like West Ham’s new signing Sam Byram and the much-desired Alex Mowatt – Cook has amassed a very impressive 63 league appearances already and has been a key figure in the Leeds midfield.

The current England under-19 international might be tempted to follow former teammate Byram over to the Hammers and this would be a fantastic move for us to pull off.

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Jake Cooper

Recent rumours have suggested that Jake Cooper is on our radar as the next young Championship defender to join Cresswell and Byram at the Hammers.

The towering Reading defender has broken into the first team this season and impressed everyone with his composed displays.

The 20-year-old has also chipped in with three professional goals already and would fit the bill for our new young signings policy to build for the future.

Centre back is a tough position to crack though with Reid, Ogbonna, Tomkins, Collins, Henry, Oxford and Burke all very capable in that department and Cooper might look elsewhere or stay at Reading to ensure he is getting first team football.

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Jordan Graham

Jordan Graham has burst onto the scene this year at Wolves and really taken his chance.

The winger joined Wolves from midlands rivals Aston Villa last January but his breakthrough came only this year after an injury crisis meant he was thrown into the first team frame.

Since then he has made the left wing position his own with dazzling, mazy displays that have left many Championship right backs bemused.

Unfortunately he has recently been hit with a long-term injury but Graham is still only 20-years-old and if he can recapture his stunning form from this season then he is worth a shot to see how much trouble he would cause Premier League defences.

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Daniel Johnson

Daniel Johnson is another player that has set the Championship ablaze this season.

The Preston North End central midfielder has been on of their main sources of goals this year and has attracted the attention of some top tier admirers.

The Jamaican-born Aston Villa academy product is still only 23-years-old and offers agility and playmaking qualities in the centre of the park as well as posing an attacking threat himself.

He might be a valuable player to have in the squad to offer something different from the likes of Noble, Kouyate and Obiang in the middle.

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Solly March

Solly March is another tremendous young prospect who is sadly spending time on the sidelines nursing a long-term injury.

The Brighton playmaker was a key component of their early season rise to the top of the league with his creative displays from the wing or just behind the striker.

The 21-year-old is a perfect example of the type of player we should be looking at to play in an attacking line alongside the likes of Payet, Lanzini and Antonio next season.

The England U21 international looks ready to make the step up to the Premier League but let’s hope that his injury is not too debilitating and chronic to affect his long-term career prospects.

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