The London Evening Standard’s West Ham United reporter, Jack Rosser, believes that the club are aiming to strengthen in two key areas this summer, after a deal for Alphonse Areola was confirmed.

The Hammers have made just one permanent signing in this transfer window, bringing in Craig Dawson on a permanent deal after his initial loan arrival from Watford.

In terms of new signings, one has to feel that the Hammers need new blood, especially given the fact that they will be playing Europa League football this term.

A lack of movement may set alarm bells ringing amongst supporters and Rosser thinks that there are two key positions that the Irons are hopeful of strengthening: central midfield and up front.

Indeed, there is a lack of depth in both areas, with Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek the clear first-choice partnership in midfield, and Mark Noble the main back-up, while Michail Antonio is their only senior striker.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, Rosser said: “Left back is not quite the top priority but it’s somewhere, if they had the money, which this summer for most clubs is quite a big if, then they would look to do something. However, striker and central midfield are the areas they want to get sorted above anything else.”