Sammie Szmodics is keen to join West Ham amid The Hammers’ enquiry with Blackburn Rovers. West Ham will be looking forward to rebuild under new coach Julen Lopetegui.
The Hammers confirmed to part ways with David Moyes this season with up to 8 staff members leaving! Reshuffling will be a key part of West Ham locker room at both player and staff ends.
Lopetegui makes a return to the Premier League having coached Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2022-23. Amidst the squad shuffle, The Spaniard will merely have 16-17 players at his disposal.
Therefore, West Ham will have to actively participate in the transfer market and will need at least 8 or 9 more players to maintain squad depth. However, Premier League’s Homegrown Player Rule will certainly be restricting West Ham.
Ultimately, The Hammers will be seeking British players from the Championship. One such talent on West Ham’s radar is Sammie Szmodics.
Blackburn want £20 million for Szmodics!
West Ham have Szmodics in sights. However, Blackburn Rovers have asked for £20 million fee from The Hammers. Given Szmodics’ figures for Blackburn this season, this could be a bargain for West Ham. The midfielder had 31 G/A in 44 league games this season!
Moreover, the 28-year old has opened about his dream of playing for West Ham. Additionally, Szmodics revealed attending as many West Ham games as possible despite his own commitments as a player.
Needless to say, if West Ham were to cash in on Szmodics, agreeing player terms certainly wouldn’t be an issue!
Sammie Szmodics wants West Ham move!
Former Blackburn Rovers player, Simon Grayson believes that Szmodics will ‘want’ to go to West Ham.
Grayson said:
“Sammie will want to go, if not to a Premier League club, it might be one at the top end of the Championship”.
The former Blackburn player added:
It’s a really difficult situation for him, but I think he probably deserves and will justify the move.”
Meanwhile Blackburn Rovers will try to make the most of West Ham’s interest and make as much profit on Szmodics as possible. However, with the midfielder so keen to join The Hammers, the 28-year old could end up forcing a move and leave for a lower cost.
West Ham keeping tabs on Championship talents!
The Hammers are also linked with a move for Jacob Greaves and Callum O’Hare. Greaves is a 23-year old center-back playing for Hull City. Meanwhile, Callum O’Hare is a 26-year old attacking midfielder for Coventry City.
Both the players are available as free agents. Signing them would be a good move for The Hammers. Especially, as the signings will also satisfy the homegrown player quota whilst being economical.
What’s next for The Hammers?
West Ham had a poor season that saw them barely finish in the top half of the league table. Moreover, The Hammers failed to qualify for any European Competitions for the next season. Additionally, West Ham’s defense has been very questionable in the league this season.
The Hammers conceded 74 goals and ended the league campaign with a goal difference of -14! They have the 2nd worst goal difference amongst the top 16 teams of the league this season.
Fans will be hoping to see change of fortunes under Lopetegui. Expectations are high after David Moyes’ reign. Moyes won the first European Competition of the 21st Century for The Hammers. Even if not instantly, Lopetegui will be expected to replicate his success down the road.
Will The Hammers end up with a competitive squad while going hand-in-hand with Premier League Policies? A new adventure awaits West Ham and Lopetegui as the squad-shake up begins.
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