Nuno's biggest West Ham problem isn't defence or attack as transfer twist emerges | OneFootball

West Ham may have to sell before they can buy when it comes to bolstering their midfield this summer

West Ham United are still yet to make a real splash in the transfer market this summer, as Nuno Espirito Santo continues to figure out what his squad will look like come the Championship curtain-raiser in less than four weeks.

As is always the case with recently relegated sides in the Premier League, there can be a delay in activity as the established top-flight stars at the club debate whether they want to stick around for a year in the Championship.

The World Cup has accentuated that, too, as those who have been representing their countries in the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer have had their focus away from club football, and are still on their extended holiday while the non-internationals are in for pre-season.

So, thus far, only Mateus Fernandes has left the London Stadium for a fee, while the likes of Callum Wilson, Adama Traore and Lukasz Fabianski have left at the end of their contracts.

But the side has been inadvertently added to from the end of last season, too, as players who spent last season on loan away from West Ham have returned, so Nuno still has a rather saturated squad in the early stages of pre-season, which is impacting transfer activity.

West Ham have to sell before they can buy this summer — especially in midfield

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Currently, West Ham have seven recognised central midfielders on the books.

Even with Fernandes' departure, the returning Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse from loan spells and the promotion of Lewis Orford from the under-21s have actually left Nuno with more options in the engine room than he had in the latter stages of last season.

Tomas Soucek pledged his loyalty to the club following his injury at the World Cup with the Czech Republic, while Soungoutou Magassa is also absent due to a short-term injury. Even then, there are still plenty of midfield options.

According to Claret & Hugh, West Ham sources believe that Nuno wanted to bring a couple of midfielders to the club this summer, but the packed midfield currently at the London Stadium may mean that he has to sell before those additions are made.

The Portuguese boss is also said to be open to seeing what Alvarez can do once he returns from international duty with Mexico. The 28-year-old, who cost the Hammers £35 million three summers ago, spent last season on loan with Fenerbahçe, but spent the majority of the year out injured.

If Alvarez can be persuaded to stick around at the London Stadium this summer, as captain Jarrod Bowen has, it would be a big boost to West Ham's already strong promotion credentials, but he wouldn't provide what Nuno desperately needs in the midfield this summer.

West Ham need a creative midfielder this summer

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Ultimately, while Alvarez would be a very strong option in the engine room, the Mexican captain is much more defensive, and the Hammers need a replacement who can shoulder the creative load now that Fernandes has left.

Ward-Prowse could be that replacement, but his January loan to Burnley marked the second time he'd been unfavoured by Nuno, after his loan spell at Nottingham Forest during the 2024/25 campaign under him saw him used mainly off the bench before he was recalled midway through the season.

It could be in the Portuguese boss' best interests to freshen up the engine room with a new face to pull the strings in an attacking sense, but if that proves to be the case, outgoings may have to come first.

The Hammers still have a handful of pre-season friendlies before they open their campaign at the London Stadium in 19 days against Portsmouth in the EFL Cup first round. The week after, they'll play their first Championship game in 14 years away at Burnley.