Who should West Ham target in the January transfer window?

With West Ham starting to recover from their abysmal form earlier in the season, things are starting to look up for the Hammers, though reinforcements are needed for David Moyes to ensure relegation is completely off the cards come the end of the season in May.

Moyes has already confirmed that he will be looking to bring in 2-3 new players in the upcoming window. One position that needs addressing is the central midfield area, especially as captain Mark Noble has struggled this season with occasional injuries, whilst the form of Pedro Obiang and Cheikhou Kouyate has not always been up to the required standard.

One target that seems to be close to happening is the signing of West Ham fan Jonjo Shelvey from Newcastle United. He has been in and out of the team this season and has been identified as a player who could bring some extra quality to the West Ham midfield. Still at only 25 he has his best years ahead of him and could become a solid player for the Hammers. The rumoured fee is around £12 million and the only thing holding the transfer up is that Rafa Benitez wants to sign a replacement before he sells.

The club has come out and said that the relationship has been repaired between them and Sporting Lisbon, which could open a potential return for the class Portuguese midfielder. Although this would be a very expensive move as the potential price in the summer was £38 million smashing the Hammers transfer record. They will also face competition from Arsenal as Wenger eyes a move to add some steel to his midfield.

Another target West Ham have identified is Anderlecht’s Leander Dendonker. The 22-year-old central midfielder has been linked with a £22 million move to the London stadium. Fans have got excited about this potential transfer as signing him would significantly bolster the Hammers midfield. Dendonker would bring a player able to make dangerous passes and also with a eye for the occasional long shot as he has a rocket of a right foot. West Ham will face some competition for his signature as Manchester United are rumoured to be in the race for his signature.

Could a new centre midfielder be the key to forcing West Ham away from the trouble and into the top half of the league?

Written by Henry Tomlinson.