OPINION
Once the dust settles on West Ham’s 2017/18 season and the uncertainty surrounding the future of David Moyes has been sorted out, the club will be facing up to a daunting summer ahead.
The playing squad needs major surgery if the club is to avoid a relegation fight again next season, with there being several areas in need of strengthening.
There will also be the inevitable departures, with players such as Javier Hernandez and Andy Carroll looking as though they could be on the way out of the London Stadium.
That will leave further holes that need to be filled this summer, and the Hammers will need to be clever with their recruitment in the coming months.
One player that would be a perfect addition in east London would be Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts, who has spent the last 18 months on loan at Celtic.
The 21-year-old winger has been massively impressive for the Hoops, scoring 18 goals and laying on 26 assists in 78 matches in all competitions, and has now admitted he is eyeing up a Premier League berth next season.
As quoted by Sky Sports, he said: “Being an English player and having come through the system in the Premier League [the ambition] is to play for a top club in the Premier League.
“I’m at one now with Manchester City and they’re doing well but you’ve got to look at yourself, and what’s best for you, and try to pick the best option possible.”
Roberts has made it clear that he is looking to return to the Premier League, but also that he is realistic about his chances of breaking through at City with the talent in their squad.
The London Stadium would be the perfect place for the tricky left-footed dazzler to make his mark in the Premier League, and West Ham must try and work out a deal for him this summer.
Whether that is a loan or a permanent deal does not matter, but Roberts is the kind of player to get fans out of seats, and that kind of boost will be much-needed at the club next season.
