West Ham United have been, surprisingly, one of the most active teams in the transfer market this summer.
The Hammers have already purchased Argentine attacking sensation Mauro Zarate, defender Cheikhou Kouyaté, and marauding left-back Aaron Cresswell... as well as about to announce the signing of Diego Poyet.
At this rate many Irons fans are already hoping for the Premier League kick-off to see their new stars in action, but with two months of potential transfer activity still remaining, West Ham could do with a few more additions.
The World Cup has now reached the semi-finals and the we’re only a week away from celebrating a new world champion, but were there any players that stood out in the group stages that West Ham can swoop in to sign?
We take a look into Group F, which saw Argentina and Nigeria progress at the expense of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran. Are any players worthy of Sam Allardyce’s notice?
Here are SIX WORLD CUP STARS West Ham should sign from Group F.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON AHMED MUSA TO SEE THE FULL LIST!
[/ffc-gallery]
Ahmed Musa
Age: 21
Club: CSKA Moscow
Position: RW
Nationality: Nigeria
Estimated Value: £10million
Ahmed Musa has been regularly scoring at his young age but really burst into the scene when he scored both goals in Nigeria’s tight contest against Argentina this summer, the first Nigerian to score two goals in a World Cup fixture.
West Ham would love to have a winger capable of chipping in with a few goals, with his menacing pace and dribbling down the right side a danger for any opponent.
He would however be one of West Ham’s more expensive purchases, with a £10million believe to be the minimum.
Augusto Fernandez
//www.youtube.com/embed/vY5q36GZ7Os
Age: 28
Club: Celta Vigo
Position: RW
Nationality: Argentina
Estimated Value: £5million
Sam Allardyce has promised some attractive attacking football this coming season and a swoop for Augusto Fernandez could be exactly what the Hammers need.
Mauro Zarate’s adapting to Upton Park won’t be easy, but the signing of Fernandez would help with that aspect as well as give an added dimension to the West ham attack.
Usually deployed as a right winger, the 28-year-old is good on the ball and capable of putting through an incisive through ball to a forward... especially of Zarate’s calibre. A swoop of around £5million could see the La Liga outfit negotiate for his transfer.
Muhamed Besic
Age: 21
Club: Ferencváros Budapest
Position: CM
Nationality: Bosnia-Herzegovina
Estimated Value: £2million
One of the stars of the Bosnian side, the young central-midfielder has amazing stats of 91% passing accuracy in the group stages (6th in the rankings). Besic has also played centre-back, proving his versatility and ability.
Although West ham have just signed midfielder Diego Poyet, a player of this calibre for only £2million would be a steal and would provide the Hammers with for once a midfield capable of controlling the pace of the game.
Kenneth Omeruo
Age: 20
Club: Chelsea
Position: CB
Nationality: Nigeria
Estimated Value: £2million or Loan
Chelsea have been known to purchase young talent and send them out on loan, but with Omeruo’s amazing performances during the World Cup West Ham should come knocking to sign the Nigerian centre-back.
Omeruo is extremely strong in the air and a very capable tackler. The 20-year-old won 12/14 aerial duels (whoscored.com) and would be a reliable partner for the future to newly signed Kouyate. If not the Hammers should even consider a loan, making their back-line extremely difficult to penetrate.
Ashkan Dejagah
Age: 27
Club: Fulham
Position: RM
Nationality: Iran
Estimated Value: £3million
Don’t let Dejagah’s choice to play for Asian side Iran fool you, the Fulham man has played for Germany in all Youth levels and impressed while doing so. He also won the Bundesliga back in 2008 with Wolfsburg, being an essential player in the triumph.
The right winger is quick and good on the ball, but more importantly tracks back well, contributing to the team’s defence. West Ham could use a player of this ilk, as Sam Allardyce may have promised attacking football but in the end still values defensive solidity.
With the Cottagers relegated, the Hammers could lure Dejagah for around £3million.
Efe Ambrose
Age: 25
Club: Celtic
Position: RB, CB
Nationality: Nigeria
Estimated Value: £4million
With the signing of Aaron Cresswell completed, ‘Big Sam’ has a left back that pushes up in support of the attack. And if the manager wants balance on the other side, could make a bid for Nigeria right-back Efe Ambrose.
The Nigerian is a useful outlet during an attack but is extremely solid defensively, and has a large amount of experience playing all four of Nigeria’s World Cup games as well as regular games in the UEFA Champions League for Celtic.
If Sam Allardyce can convince the 25-year-old to make a move to Upton Park, Hammer fans could very well see the revolution they were finally hoping for.