It’s not even been a week since West Ham secured promotion back to the top flight, but already Big Sam has been busy.
This week the Hammers boss has already let six players leave, and has conducted his transfer wish list. Big Sam has always been good in the transfer market, he has always attracted good players and big names and he is hoping to continue this trend in this window. In fact, Allardyce has 32 names to mind.
Already four enquiries have been made for four players. These four players all come from the Championship with Big Sam and the club keen to take young, fresh players from the league below.
Below are Big Sam’s top four targets from the Championship.
Robert Snodgrass:
Top of West Ham’s list is Leeds talisman Snodgrass. The Hammers attempted to sign the 24 year old in January but were unsuccessful with a bid.
The club will continue to pursue the Scottish international this summer and where a deal will look more likely. The player has already rejected a contract from Leeds, and with Leeds short of money a bid in the region of £3m should be enough to bring him to Upton Park.
Snodgrass has reportedly said he wants to be in the Premier League next season and he would love to join the Hammers.
If West Ham capture Snodgrass it will be a great signing. He would fit the bill in Big Sam’s 4-3-3 formation, playing on the left hand side.
Being left footed he would offer great balance to the side and with Vaz Te on the other flank, it would be a force that would certainly create chances and score goals.
Nathaniel Clyne:
With Big Sam releasing Faubert, and Demel injury, the West Ham boss is hoping to bring in a top quality, young right back.
Top of Big Sam’s wish list at full back is Crystal Palace right back Nathaniel Clyne.
The 21 year old has turned into an integral part of the Palace team and has performed with great maturity all season. He is certainly a cut above the championship.
He is an attacking full back but can certainly defend. His performance in the Carling Cup against Manchester United was highlight.
But, with his huge potential other top Premier League sides will be going in for him, and West Ham could face competition from the Likes of Arsenal and Manchester United.
The club are however, confident of landing him as they can offer him first team football. Clyne could be signed in the region of £5m.
Wilfired Zaha:
West Ham have already sent an enquiry in for Zaha, and are hopeful of signing this great prospect.
Zaha won Championship young player of the year last campaign and set the division alight with a string of superb performances.
At only 19 he is already thought of as one of the brightest prospects in English football.
He is reportedly interested in joining West Ham, due to the chances he will get to play in the Premier League, and with him only having to move a short distance across London this is a deal that could be done.
The youngster can play either upfront or on the wings, and like Snodgrass he will be the perfect fit in a 4-3-3 formation and give great competition to others in the squad,
Zaha possess blistering pace and bags of skill, but he also has an end product. He can pick out a good pass as well as find the net.
Zaha could be signed for around £8m.
Jay Rodriguez:
The Hammers have already enquired about Rodriguez and are hopeful of capturing the Burnley man.
The young striker has enjoyed a great season with Burnley but now wants to step up to the Premier League.
The forward has scored 21 goals in 42 league games this season. He has the ability, pace and skill to play up front on his own and would offer great competition to Cole and Maynard.
However, Rodriguez is in high demand. Newly promoted Southampton have had a £6m offer turned down for the striker. Burnley know the potential Rodriguez has and will only sell for what they believe is a good price.
It’s unclear whether Saints will bid again, but West Ham would be happy to bid more than £6m and would even offer a player swap, with either Baldock or Sears potentially going the other way.
They are Big Sam’s top targets from the championship but other players he is interested in include: Richardson, Lansbury, McCartney, Seedorf, Berbatov, Olson, Dann, Samba, Simpson Lukaku plus others.
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