West Ham should look beyond Stuttgart ace amid plans for summer squad overhaul | OneFootball

West Ham United have enquired about the availability of VfB Stuttgart forward Jamie Leweling after an impressive display during the second half of the season.

The Hammers face a huge restructuring this summer, with several players and the manager facing uncertain futures at London Stadium.

Despite already boasting the Premier League’s smallest squad with 22 players, six will be out of contract at the end of the season and look primed to leave.

Lucas Paqueta, Nayef Aguerd, Maxwel Cornet and Danny Ings could also leave the club this summer, so there must be an influx of fresh legs when the market opens.

Technical director Tim Steidten is leading the charge for a summer overhaul, so it’s unsurprising that he plans to go shopping in his homeland.

Leweling represents an interesting prospect, but he can hardly be considered a high-profile signing, which is exactly the calibre of players West Ham need this summer.

West Ham must explore other alternatives

German newspaper Bild have reported that West Ham are interested in landing the right-winger, but his numbers are far from impressive.

The 23-year-old has registered just ten goals and ten assists in 80 Bundesliga games, although nearly half of that tally has come this season.

Leweling has been in fine form since the winter break, establishing himself as a vital asset in the Stuttgart line-up.

Stuttgart have the option to make his loan move from Union Berlin permanent for around €6 million but are reluctant to activate the clause.

The clause will expire at the end of next month, which bodes well for Union, who are eager to capitalise on Leweling’s fine form to negotiate a better fee for the winger.

Despite his modest contributions in the final third, Steidten appears to be keen on the winger, who has been profiled as an exciting dribbler and a constant threat with his direct runs.

However, Leweling has yet to prove he has what it takes to thrive on the big stage. West Ham must steer clear of a potential deal and channel the funds towards more ambitious targets.