FIVE Premier League ‘outcasts’ West Ham should sign

What do you think of our writer’s suggestions?

1. Micah Richards

The Manchester City right back was a regular fixture in the side that won the Premier League two years ago, as well as being a full England international. Indeed, back then, many would have thought that he would be the first choice right back for his country by now.

However, due to a mixture of injuries and the form of Pablo Zabaleta, Richards has found first team appearances at a premium since then, with only 10 starts under new boss Manuel Pellegrini, this campaign. The longest serving player of City’s current squad has reportedly turned down a new contract offer from the club, and is seeking a transfer this summer with City willing to sell.

I think Richards could be potentially a great signing for West Ham if he could recapture his form of a few years ago and stay relatively injury free. The full back positions are definitely somewhere the club needs to strengthen in the summer, and 25-year-old Richards may be ideal for us. This will be a tough transfer to pull off though, as I am sure there will be plenty if clubs in for him.

Joleon Lescott

Another Manchester City player, Lescott is someone the Hammers supposedly tried to sign in January. The defender’s best days are almost certainly behind him, but for a player who was a regular in a title winning side not so long ago, and who has been a regular England international, you would have thought he would still have enough quality to be an asset for West Ham.

He will be available on a free transfer this summer, with Lescott clearly not in Pellegrini’s plans, and would at the very least provide good cover for the likes of Winston Reid, James Tomkins and James Collins, something which is needed as we discovered at times this campaign. However, Lescott is likely to demand high wages and may expect to be a first choice centre back, which could scupper any potential deal.

Demba Ba

This may seem like an odd player to label an ‘outcast’ – with the Senegalese frontman playing quite a big role for Chelsea during the last few weeks – but for much of the season, Ba has not had much of a look in under manager Jose Mourinho. The controversial Portuguese boss is certain to spend big on strikers this summer, it is highly likely Ba will not feature for Chelsea next season and be available for transfer.

He would be a very good signing, if we could achieve it, as Ba has an excellent goalscoring record during his time in the Premier League (including at West Ham), and a proven goalscorer is probably exactly what we require to push on up the league next season. Definitely worth a try for the right price.

Lewis Holtby

The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has spent the last few months of the current season on loan to relegated Fulham, and has put in some good performances in his time there, often standing out amongst some average players.

Holtby is quite possibly the kind of creative player that West Ham have been missing for so long; someone who is able to create chances against good defences, which is something the Hammers have struggled to do in quite a few games this season.

Holtby’s statistics read as two goals and three assists in 26 games this season which isn’t spectacular, but he is young and there is plenty of potential for improvement.

He has struggled to nail down a place in the Spurs first team since his arrival at White Hart Lane, which may make him available for transfer, although competition could be heavy for the former German U-21 international.

We all know what Daniel Levy is like to negotiate with and a high price would no doubt have to be paid for his services.

Javier Hernandez

The Mexican striker hasn’t been first choice for Manchester United for some time now, which is understandable considering the quality of the striking options they have available to them. The lack of playing time is rumoured to be frustrating Hernandez, and he may be open to a transfer.

Despite his lack of starts, Hernandez has an exceptional goalscoring record for Manchester United, with 37 goals in 48 starts, alongside 52 substitute appearances. He is a fox in the box type striker, who will guarantee you goals if you create enough chances for him. A potential little and large combination with Andy Carroll is quite a mouth-watering prospect, providing a completely different option to what we currently have.

However, it is unlikely that Hernandez would opt for a club such as West Ham, and may set his sights on a bigger name. Also, it is at least doubtful that he would fit into the system manager Sam Allardyce employs, who isn’t usually keen on small strikers who are totally reliant on team-mates for their service.