Five signings to help transform West Ham this summer

With just under two months to go until the end of the season, focus will soon be drawn towards the summer transfer window.

After last year’s busy summer period, outlined by several very successful signings, the squad now has a very fresh and exciting look to it, one packed with potential. We strengthened in some key areas and have real depth and flexibility within the squad, so now it is time to build further.

Rumours in recent weeks have began to circulate regarding some big names we are allegedly attracting. With the way the club is moving forward, it wouldn’t come as a shock if we were able to bring in a couple of big signings this summer but, as always, the truth behind the gossip remains to be seen.

The club is undergoing a huge transition at the moment, and the main focus needs to be not just adding as much strength as possible, but securing some of the players who are currently on loan with the club, but have become real core members of the squad.

So which five players should we make our main targets this summer? Let’s take a look…

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Carl Jenkinson

For me, Carl has to be our first and most important target this summer.

After an incredibly successful loan spell with the club so far, the 23-year-old has cemented himself within the team and become a bit of a fan favourite.

He’s grown exceptionally as a player this season, effectively closing Guy Demel out, and proving himself to be not just a reliable defender, but a threat going forward with his ability to consistently play very dangerous balls into the box.

Hector Bellerin’s contract extension at Arsenal would suggest Jenko may now be seen as surplus to requirement for the Gunners, which is fantastic news for us in the hope of a permanent deal.

Nathan Redmond

Although unproven in the Premier League, the young Englishman would be a great signing this summer.

I’ve watched him play a few times for Norwich this season and he really does look as though within a few years he could be a household English name. Not a prolific goalscorer, but a very capable provider, he would be a very threatening addition to our attacking outfit.

Bags of pace, lighting quick footwork and a real sharpness when moving forward are just some of his attributes. At the age of just 21, he could be a very good signing for the club.

With Norwich looking likely candidates for automatic promotion this year, it will be interesting to see how Redmond fares in the Premier League even if a move isn’t made this summer.

Alex Song

The form of the Barca man has slipped in recent weeks, but when performing we are all aware of the sheer class that Alex Song oozes.

At times this season, particularly during the pre-Christmas period, Alex has been a dictator and lynch pin in the middle of the park.

The 2-1 win over Man City comes to mind, where he completely dominated the midfield and the likes of Yaya Toure for 90 minutes.

Although in the last couple of months he hasn’t looked as sharp, you can’t let a player with as much proven talent as Alex Song go based on a poor run of form.

If rumors are to be believed, the club are currently holding talks with Barcelona to secure a permanent deal for around £5m.

Jesé

Marred by a lack of first team football and injury problems, the very promising young Spaniard looks set for a move away from Madrid at the end of the season.

At just 22, Jesé has shown glimpses of the plethora of talent he already possesses. Phenomenal pace, flare, skill and great passing ability have all contributed to his growing reputation as a real up and coming star.

Unlikely to obtain regular football with Real, a move away from La Liga would be highly beneficial for both the youngster and West Ham.

Rumors suggest we have very recently entered talks with Madrid in order to bring Jesé to East London on a season long loan, a tactic which has proven highly successful for the club over the last year.

Kevin Mirallas

After Everton’s poor campaign this season, the likes of Barkley, Lukaku and Mirallas have all been linked with moves away from the club.

Kevin has been one of Everton’s more noticeable players over the last couple of seasons. Fantastic with the ball at his feet and incredibly attacking minded, the Belgian international has always been on the cusp of becoming a top level winger.

Mirallas has a very selfish play style which can, at times, be more of a hinderance than a positive, but he has proven himself more than capable of producing those very special moments on the pitch.

With links to West Ham and Tottenham, it will be interesting to see if the club make a move for the, more than likely, highly valued winger.