Being out of Europe could just be a blessing in disguise for West Ham this season.

The Hammers crashed out of the Europa League play-offs to Romanian side Astra Giurgiu for the second time in as many seasons and while on the face of it that looks pretty detrimental to their season, it might just help them out.

The club are going through a bedding in period in their new stadium, and their new signings also need to gel with the rest of the squad. It's not going to be an overnight transition as their early league form suggests, so no Europa League football will allow them to sort that out first.

It also gives Slaven Bilic the chance to bring in extra players with the aim of reaching Europe without needing to qualify through the play-offs next season, and he may find said players in La Liga.

Here are FIVE he should target to get the Hammers straight into Europe next season...

Iker Muniain

Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao)

When Muniain broke on to the scene at Athletic Bilbao as a teenager, many tipped him for the very top. He has, however, stayed with the Basque club up until now.

The left winger is a very tricky player and quality dribbler and it's those attributes that have earned him the nickname in the Spanish media as 'the Spanish Messi' - not a bad accolade.

He's clearly talented and West Ham would be getting a top player if they signed him.

Yevhen Konoplyanka

KonoplyankaSevilla

Konoplyanka can play on either wing and scored four goals for Sevilla last season.

That season saw him win the Europa League final to qualify the club for this season's Champions League so any potential deal would require West Ham to put a lot of money behind it.

Nevertheless, he's the kind of player West Ham need to make the next step so they should be interested.

Dani Parejo

Football - Manchester United v Valencia CF - Pre Season Friendly - Old Trafford - 14/15 , 12/8/14 Daniel Parejo - Valencia Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

The central midfielder knows exactly how to control a game and that could be what West Ham need to continue on their upward progression.

The 27-year-old has been at Valencia for five years but with them struggling last season and their fortunes not looking very bright for this one either, the Spaniard may be tempted to move.

West Ham have the financial resources to make it happen, too.

Jeremy Mathieu

Jeremy Mathieu (Valencia)

You'd be forgiven for forgetting Mathieu is actually at Barcelona as a player and not the winner of a competition that gets to occasionally play at the Nou Camp.

That aside, the Frenchman is actually a decent defender when called upon and he'd provide the Hammers with much needed experience at the back as they look to improve on last season's seventh place.

Rafinha

Rafinha Alcantara

The Brazilian midfielder finds himself in the position a lot of young players at Barcelona do and that's not being able to find a way into the Catalans' stellar line up.

He was limited to just six games in the league last season and must be wondering if he'd be better off moving away for the good of his career.

West Ham will certainly be hoping he comes down on that side and sees his future with them.