The transfer window is into its final hours and clubs up and down the country will be either looking to add some more quality or number to their squads, look to keep hold of their prized possessions or both! West Ham seem to have completed the latter with James Tomkins signing a new long term deal at Upton Park, but there is not hiding from the fact that numbers coming through the door has been worrying.
In December, Sam Allardyce claimed that he wanted to bring in at least 3-4 players, including a striker and drew up a list of around 25 players that he had his eye on. David Gold and David Sullivan then confirmed that the Hammers boss had around £10million to spend in this transfer window to ensure the clubs promotion back to the Premier League. So what has happened?
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American defender George John arrived on a short term loan deal, but that is it so far. Social media’s like Twitter and Facebook are full of rumours about possible signings but clearly nobody really knows what is happening apart from the owners and staff.
The need for a striker is clear but a name that has been mentioned over the past week or so is midfield dynamo Lewis McGugan, who scored a screamer at Upton Park last weekend and looked quality throughout, despite West Ham coming away with a 2-1 victory. Nottingham Forest have added firepower to their midfield in this transfer window and selling McGugan could be an option to get some much needed funds for the club.
West Ham looked set to offer around £1million over the weekend, but attention swiftly turned to a striker once offers for the likes of Jelavic and Sharp failed and so it seems McGugan may have to wait. The talented 23-year-old will make his 180th appearance for Forest this week and has become a key player with his adept range of passing and his set piece masterclass, not forgetting his long range shooting that West Ham found out last week.
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The former England under 17’s and under 19’s midfielder scored an impressive 13 goals last season and has 35 goals since his debut in 2007. Unfortunately for McGugan, the centre of midfield is pretty much the only position where the Hammers don’t particularly need to strengthen with the likes of Mark Noble, Kevin Nolan, Papa Bouba Diop and Jack Collison stepping up to the mark in recent weeks and allowing the owners and co to focus on a striker.
But McGugan is definitely one for the future and may even be worth bringing in for £1million now as his price will no doubt rise in the near future. But, just one day of the window left will leave very little time for West Ham to agree terms and equal time for Forest to replace him. An interesting day lies ahead and we can only hope that the confident owners can get a deal done.
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We don’t need another bloody midfielder, we need striking force and thats where pur money should be looking so we should not put in a bid for this guy.