SIX last minute buys West Ham should be looking at

When the transfer window closes at 11pm on September 1st, West Ham fans will be encouraged by the acquisitions that both the manager and the owners have made over the summer.

Although the business has been largely successful, it wouldn’t hurt to make a couple of signings before the September deadline. An injury to club captain Kevin Nolan could prompt Sam Allardyce to add further attacking options to the Hammers’ front line, as new signing Mauro Zarate and the infamous Ravel Morrison are the only genuine options in that particular central attacking position.

However, despite Nolan’s injury, the main position that needs improving is in defensive. The manager himself revealed that the club are trying to sign another defender, especially when the only senior central defenders are James Collins, James Tompkins and Winston Reid.

There are bound to be a number of surprise names linked with the club from now until the end of the transfer window but below are 6 last minute buys that West Ham should consider before the summer transfer window slams shut…

Click on Sam Allardyce to reveal

Micah Richards

Richards has always had bags of potential but his career has been hampered by a number of injuries, not to forget the battle for a starting berth with Pablo Zabaletta, one of the best right backs in the world.

This would be a very good signing for West Ham as a run of games could allow the 26 year old to return to the form that saw him play regularly for England. The only stumbling block would be wages, as the defender is rumoured to be earning around £70,000 a week.

However, a potential loan deal with City paying a share of Richards’ salary would work well for West Ham and would provide great versatility due to his ability to play in both the full back and centre back positions.

Toby Alderweireld

If West Ham were to move for Alderweireld, they would face stiff competition from a number of clubs around Europe to capture the Belgian international.

It is understood that the 25 year old could be available for a potential loan move from La Liga champions Atletico Madrid.

The defender operates primarily as a full back but he can also play in the centre of defence as well. His signing would add real quality to the squad as well as adding some much needed depth to the back line.

Hatem Ben Arfa

On his day, Ben Arfa can be a world beater, it’s a just a shame those days don’t come too often. His future in the North East was extremely doubtful when he was forced to train with the Newcastle reserves earlier this summer.

Despite reports claiming that Ben Arfa is willing to fight for his place at Newcastle, an attractive offer for the skilful attacking midfielder could suit both the player and Newcastle United.

An attacking trio of Downing, Zarate and Ben Arfa would be brilliant to watch, it’s just a question of whether the expense of a potential deal could price us out of a move for the French winger.

James Milner

A man that is renowned as the ‘Mr Reliable’ of the Premier League, James Milner would prove to be an excellent signing for West Ham. Milner can operate out wide and in the centre of midfield. He has been a good servant for Manchester City and is an ever-present in the England national squad.

A potential deal for the midfielder would be in the form of a loan but he would add extra quality to what is looking like a strong midfield this season. Hammers fans have seen a rejuvenation in Stewart Downing since he arrived from Liverpool and a similar effect could occur if Milner signed for the Irons.

Milner is capable of delivering fantastic crosses into the box and West Ham boast a strike force with impressive aerial ability, something Milner would take full advantage of.

Many also forget the remarkable form he showcased whilst playing for Aston Villa, form that eventually earned him a move to Manchester City.

Philipp Wollscheid

The Bayer Leverkusen star is relatively unknown to fans of the Premier League but he is a player that has been frequently linked with West Ham over the past few days.

The 25 year old centre back played regularly for the German side last season as Leverkusen finished fourth in the Bundesliga. Standing at 6’3, he is an imposing figure who will add strength as well as international experience to the squad, having earned 2 caps for world champions Germany.

The defender could be available for around £4 million, making him a realistic target to pursue for the rest of the window.

Jason Puncheon

One of Palace’s star performers last season, Jason Puncheon would add pace as well as goals to the Hammers squad. Neil Warnock’s appointment as Crystal Palace boss has sparked speculation about Puncheon’s future after the midfielder hit back at Warnock who he criticised the rather poor excuse of a penalty that Puncheon took against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

The midfielder wrote an angered response to Warnock’s opinion on twitter, ‘As a man I will live with that, which is fine, but I will not live with [Warnock’s] opinion.’

If the midfielder sticks to his word, West Ham should try and move for Puncheon due to his ability to score goals.

Allardyce is aiming to reach the 50 goal mark this season and an added goalscoring threat from midfield would be a sensible signing.