West Ham United are struggling towards the foot of the Premier League table with no end in sight to their problems.
Winning the Europa Conference League in 2022/23 should have been the catalyst for the Hammers to kick-on, but things have gone south since then.
West Ham now need a complete overhaul. Read on as we analyse how the club can get things heading in the right direction during 2026 and beyond.
Winter Transfer Window is Crucial to West Ham’s Survival Hopes
West Ham parted ways with manager Graham Potter and hired Nuno Espirito Santo following an atrocious start to the season.
Things have improved slightly under Nuno, but the club must strengthen the squad to ensure they avoid relegation. Thebookmakers’ odds are not in their favour at the moment.
The sportsbook operators listed on comparison website bettingtop10.com/gb/ rate them as 4/6 shots to be relegated. Those odds are a sad indictment of the current state of play at the club.
The Hammers must be proactive in the winter transfer window to defy the oddsmakers’ forecast. They need reinforcements across the pitch to become a more attractive proposition to bettors.
Signing older players is not ideal, but they could use Stefan de Vrij’s immense experience at the back for the next six months.
The Dutch veteran is not getting game time at Inter Milan, and he may welcome the opportunity to move to the Premier League.
He’s be protected in the middle of the back three, allowing his reading of the game and ball-playing ability to shine.
West Ham are also crying out for more quality in the engine room, and a loan move for England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo could be the answer.
He has been struggling for opportunities at Manchester United and may be open to helping West Ham’s survival bid to get game time with the World Cup around the corner.
If the Red Devils refuse to consider a temporary switch, Chelsea’s Dario Essugo could be an option. He is a hard-tackling midfielder with energy to burn.
West Ham also needs a young centre-forward who can fire the club out of the relegation dog fight. Newcastle United’s William Osulawould be ideal on a six-month loan.
Survival Must be the Catalyst for a Brighter Future
If West Ham steer clear of relegation this season, they cannot afford to waste the opportunity this would hand to them.
The transfer team will need to refresh the defence, and this would be a good time to act on the long-reported interest in Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell.
The Englishman is an upgrade on Max Kilman. He is strong in the air, solid on the ground and a leader. A return to England is the next natural step in his career.
A loan move for Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong would also put the backline in a much stronger position heading into the 2026/27 campaign.
The Blues have several defenders returning from loan moves, and West Ham must capitalise on their propensity to discard players to snap up Acheampong.
The Hammers also need a midfield playmaker capable of unlocking defences. The lack of creativity is an issue the club must address.
Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Brandt is available on a free transfer this summer, and West Ham should be at the front of the queue for him.
The opportunity to be close to best friend Kai Havertz may appeal to the German international who specialises in connecting midfield to attack.
Ruben Neves is another option. He is available next summer after a stint in Saudi Arabia and might be open to returning to the Premier League to work with his former boss.
Nuno is keen on a reunion with Adama Traore, while Christos Tzolis is also on the club’s radar. The latter would be a useful addition to the attacking ranks.
A new goalkeeper is required to replace Mads Hermansen and Alphonse Areola. Freiburg’s Noah Atubolu should be on the shortlist.
The bulk of West Ham’s transfer funds should go towards signing a striker, and the club must make Strasbourg’s Joaquin Panichelli a top target.
The big Argentine is a sublime striker who can score all types of goals. He is a physical presence in the box and would be the perfect foil for Jarrod Bowen.
