Are these the big names that West Ham need?

With transfer speculation continuing as the new Premier League season fast approaches, a new target has been pointed out by many media outlets. Belgian international Kevin Mirallas has been cut to 5/6 to join West Ham with many reliable sources suggesting that we have had a £6million bid rejected and are currently preparing a second bid of around £8million, which is close to Everton’s reported valuation of the apparent want-away winger. After receiving £5.5million for Downing the club are undoubtedly searching for a winger to replace him and Mirallas may fit the bill.

Since Joining Everton from Greek side Olympiakos in 2012, Mirallas has gone from strength to strength. He initially was a fairly selfish player who would shoot more often than not but now Mirallas scores goals and assists his team mates. He is also very capable of scoring from set pieces, something he demonstrated in the FA Cup Third Round Replay against us last season. He is pacey and versatile with the ability to play on either flank, in the ‘number 10’ role and as a striker if need be. I have been a fan of Mirallas for a very long time and I think he is a player the board should really try hard to sign.

We are also in the hunt for a striker; recent reports have linked us to Javier Hernandez, Charlie Austin and Alexandre Pato, each offer different qualities. In my opinion, Pato is somewhat of a question mark. Why did he never fulfil his potential? Does he have a poor attitude? Is he a lazy player? The last thing we need is someone causing unrest and disrupting the harmony of the squad due to laziness or possibly a poor attitude. Pato did show quality in his days at the San Siro but his transfer to Brazil makes me a bit curious. Harry Redknapp was reportedly given the opportunity to sign him last season at QPR but decided against it despite their heavy reliance on Charlie Austin.

Austin has been linked with many clubs this summer such as Newcastle, West Ham, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Aston Villa. Newcastle have signed Mitrovic from Anderlecht and Mourinho’s Chelsea side always have three strikers and he recently confirmed that Remy would be a part of the striking setup at Chelsea next season. Bournemouth will not be able to afford the asking price set by QPR which arguably leaves us and Aston Villa, who have recently received £8million and are on the verge of receiving £32.5million from Liverpool for Benteke leaving them in dire need of a goalscorer. Andy Carroll is injured and will miss at least the first month of the season and Austin would be the like for like player to do his job. Austin’s strength and aerial prowess that he demonstrated last season for QPR were able to gain him his first England call up. A £15million valuation is pricey but he should be one of the names on our list.

Javier Hernandez could be a West Ham player this summer but this would probably depend on whether or not Manchester United can get themselves a striker to replace him. Van Gaal his happy to keep him if they are unable to sign a striker. Louis if you are reading this Carlton Cole doesn’t have a club and we will listen to offers for Maiga.

Hernandez spent last season on loan at the Bernabeu and although he didn’t start many games, his 7 goal tally shows that he does still have the ability if there are any doubters. At 27, the Mexico international still has a lot to offer and he does appear the most likely striker to join us and is priced at 3/1 to join the Hammers. We do face competition from Spurs and Javier is 4/1 to join any MLS club according to BetVictor. Whoever the board decide to sign they should act fast to give them time to gel with the rest of the squad.

Lassana Diarra and Estaban Cambiasso have both been linked to the club as cover for the imminent arrival of Alex Song who has flown to Barcelona to help finalise his very complex transfer. Manuel Lanzini of Al Jazira is also reportedly having a medical ahead of a season long loan deal with the option to buy at the end of the season. Hopefully we will be expecting West Ham to announce an announcement that an announcement is close to being announced and we will have further additions to welcome to our club in what is the most important season in the club’s history.

What do you think about our targets? Is Mirallas the ideal winger? Which striker would you like? Diarra, Cambiasso or other? Is Lanzini what we need? Are there any positions that you feel we need to improve but have not been covered in my article? Leave your comments below.