Lots of West Ham United fans have been reacting on social media after ExWHUemployee claimed the Irons board have given David Moyes the all clear to focus on transfers.
West Ham appear set to secure their Premier League safety for another year, with the Hammers entering the final two matchdays of the season six points clear of the drop zone and boasting a vastly superior goal difference to 18th-placed Aston Villa.
As such, the Irons board are suggested to feel Moyes is now in a position where he can fully switch his focus from fighting relegation to who the club can sign in the summer to strengthen ahead of next season.
Reports have suggested Moyes is keen to refresh his side with young talent in the upcoming transfer market but faces doing so with limited funds.
One avenue ExWHUemployee expects Moyes and the east London side to explore is Wigan Athletic’s situation, with the Latics likely set to be forced into selling some of the prized assets on the cheap after entering administration.
Players like Joe Gelhardt and Jensen Weir are among the Wigan stars said to be attracting interest, including from West Ham’s bitter rivals Tottenham who see Gelhardt as an emerging star they can mould into being the next Harry Kane.
Gelhardt made his Championship debut for Wigan last August and has been awarded sporadic opportunities in the first-team since, making a total of 20 outings across all competitions and scoring three times.
Moyes was also spotted at Wigan’s 2-2 draw with Charlton Athletic on Saturday, leading to Football.London suggesting the Irons boss had his eyes on midfielder Josh Cullen upon his return from loan, though may have been scouting Latics left-back Antonee Robinson as well.
West Ham looking at the lower tiers of the game for the stars of tomorrow is not something all corners of the London Stadium would oppose, with fans reacting online by offering their support for Moyes focusing his spending in the Championship and at Premier League sides about to be relegated.
I would rather sign young upcoming championship players than players from abroad.
— Forever a Hammer (@SteveSeager1) July 20, 2020
Lewis cook ? Seeing as Bournemouth are basically championship now and they will surely be offloading players.
— Steven Mitchinson (@S_M1tch) July 20, 2020
2005 we didn’t go for a marquee signing, instead we got Konchesky Gabbidon & Collins from the top of the Championship, mixed them in with some homegrown, they became regulars & we had our best season in years. And if Pards had stayed…? Sod big name/money gambles, do that again.
— Julian Shea (@juliansheasport) July 20, 2020
I wouldn’t mind if we took a couple from Norwich. I.e Aarons and cantwell
— daniel munn (@dpmunn19) July 20, 2020
Robinson! Need another 🇺🇸 back at the club.
— Andrew Kane (@AndrewKane221) July 20, 2020
Robinson, Cash, Watkins would be an acceptable window considering the financial crash caused by Coronavirus, I’d love Mings, Benrahma and Barkley too but not at the expense of what we need @WestHam #COYI
— Harrison Tuckwell (@HarrisonTuckwe1) July 20, 2020
Exploring Wigan and the lower levels is not something that excites all West Ham fans, however, with some sarcastically suggesting Moyes is aiming high ahead of the window.
Exploiting Wigan for their players ? 🤦♂️ Aiming high then! We need players that are PL ready now, not that might be ok or might make it in a couple of years, we don’t have that luxury. Johnson seems like the only academy product that could make it, we need established players
— Gareth Rockwell (@garethrockwell) July 20, 2020
His going for quality then 🙄
— MrWestHam (@BillyWhufcCoyi2) July 20, 2020
One West Ham supporter has offered a firm reason as to why shopping outside the Premier League or at those in the bottom half will be good business for the Irons this summer, noting who each of the Hammers’ last five players of the years have been signed from.
Those five include Aaron Creswell who was signed from Ipswich Town, followed by Dimitri Payet, Michail Antonio, Marko Arnautovic and Lukasz Fabianski.
Since 2015 our hammer of the years have come from
Ipswich
marseille
Nottingham forest
Stoke
SwanseaDon’t be dismissive because it’s Wigan
— Jack (@Jack_hobson12) July 20, 2020