A Deadline Day scramble to secure the signatures of David Bentley, Papa Bouba Diop and Henri Lansbury clearly showed that Sam Allardyce felt his midfield needed more firepower after the departure of Scott Parker.
After an indifferent start to the campaign, players such as Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble have been in for some criticism from the Upton Park faithful which could nudge Allardyce in favour of new signings in January if things don’t improve.
One player that ‘Big Sam’ has apparently been scouting is the Swedish international midfielder Rasmus Elm, who is also on the radar of clubs such as Lazio and Werder Bremen.
The 23-year-old AZ Alkmaar player struggled with injuries in his first two seasons in Holland but has found his form over the past twelve months and has been subject to much praise from many big names in football. The former coach of the Swedish national team Lars Lagerbäck, said that Elm is the biggest talent Sweden has produced since Zlatan Ibrahimovic, high praise indeed.
Elm has scored 13 goals in 53 games for AZ and is now a regular for both club and country and his agent has revealed his player could be on the move in the near future.
Whether West Ham can afford the Swede is another question, after a hefty fee paid for Sam Baldock, and perhaps enough strength in depth already in the squad the move may not be viable for the owners. AZ are expected to demand a high price for the talented youngster, so that may also spell the end of Allardyce’s interest.
