FIVE January additions to help boost West Ham’s European bid

After splashing the cash in the summer in order to improve on last season’s disappointing 13th place finish, West Ham are starting to reap the rewards on the £25m splurge.

Now in a remarkable fourth spot with an incredible eight wins already, manager Sam Allardyce has consistently challenged his players to maintain their fantastic run of form in order to secure an unlikely place in Europe.

However, money is tight, and the Hammers may have to sell before they can buy. With the African Cup of Nations taking place in January, the likes of in form players Diafra Sakho, Cheikhou Kouyate and possibly even Alex Song are set to depart for a month with their respective countries for international duty.

In that case, here are FIVE January signing the East Londoners should consider in order to maintain their current run of form…

Click on the main man Diafra to reveal

Glen Johnson

Many will question as to why on earth signing right back Glen Johnson would be a good idea? The former England international has received heavy criticism from the football world, and even from his own club Liverpool.

However, midfielder Stewart Downing was in exactly the same boat as Johnson, and look how good of a player he has turned out to be. After struggling at the Anfield club, questions were asked as to why West Ham signed an out of form player who was a laughing stock in the Premier League. Now, Downing has earned himself a recall to the England fold based on his performances in the claret and blue shirt, and Johnson can return to the club were it all started for him and do the same.

Striker Andy Carroll was the same, a Liverpool flop but Allardyce took the gamble, and Carroll is now slowly returning to the striker he once was at Newcastle.
Right back Johnson is out of contract in the summer, and is free to talk to any club in January.

With the position the Hammers are in at the moment, it would be hard for Johnson to turn down an offer from the club that triggered his footballing career.

Dan Burn

With star defender Winston Reid’s future still in limbo at the club, signing a back up central defender might not be the worst decision in the world.

Towering defender Dan Burn could become an established Premier League centre half, like Reid is now. After spending time on loan at League One outfit Yeovil Town and Championship side Birmingham City, Burn has produced some stellar displays for an inconsistent Fulham side.

So why would you want to sign a defender that has been part of a team that has leaked goals left, right and centre? Firstly, he is English, and as we all know, the English national set up is not at its best. Secondly, when the Hammers signed Reid from Danish outfit FC Midtjylland for £4m on the back of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the New Zealand captain massively struggled with the pace of England’s top flight.

From his debut in a 3-0 loss away at Aston Villa, to how he is playing now, you can blatantly see the transformation, which is the reason why the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are circling for his signature.

Danny Ings

Again, West Ham need to sell before they can buy, and if rumours are true that the Hammers are ready to listen to offers for Argentine forward Mauro Zarate, then Ings is the ideal man to replace him.

There is no doubt that with Zarate’s quality, there will be plenty of admirers to sign him. With Ings, again out of contract in the summer, Burnley in desperate need for cash and fighting against relegation, then signing the England under-21 star will unquestionably be a shrewd move. The 22-year-old is quick, hardworking and knows where the back of the net is.

However, many top flight clubs will also be looking to sign Ings, with the likes of Newcastle United, Southampton and even Dutch giants Ajax all said to be interested in acquiring Ings, then West Ham will have a good fight on their hands to clinch Ings’ signature.

Fernando Torres

Once dubbed one of the best strikers in the world, Fernando Torres could be a welcome addition to the squad. West Ham have always been ambitious with signings, just look at Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano in 2006. This year has seen the unlikely arrival of Alex Song, and signing Torres would be a welcome sign of planning ahead of the Olympic Stadium move in 2016.

With AC Milan looking to terminate his two year loan deal and send him back to Chelsea, a short term deal for the Spaniard could be in the offing. Despite his goals tally drying up, Torres’ work rate and link up play has always been a strength of his.

The future’s of Mauro Zarate and Carlton Cole are uncertain, and Diafra Sakho will be missing from the squad for a month through the African Nations Cup. A short term deal until the end of the season would be ideal, and because of the length of the deal, asking Chelsea to pay some of his wages would be sensible.

Javi Fuego

After reading his name, many of you will be thinking to yourself, who is Javi Fuego?

He’s not a rising star, and nor is he a player that every top flight club across Europe is looking to sign. The 30 year old defensive midfielder is currently plying his trade with Spanish outfit Valencia.

Fuego is currently on the fringes at the Mestalla, and would be perfect cover for the departing Kouyate, who is off the AFCON with his native Senegal along with Sakho and on loan star Alex Song.

With Valencia’s money troubles worse than ever before, easing the pressure of financial stability for the former Spanish champions by singing Fuego on a short term deal could be exactly what Big Sam needs to cope with the fixture pile up that lies before him and his squad.