‘Be-all and end-all’ – Kevin Nolan analyzes West Ham transfer window struggles

West Ham missing out on European qualification is the main reason for their lack of signings so far this summer, according to Kevin Nolan.

(30 July, 6:54am), the Hammers’ ex-captain said that were his former side playing in European competition next season, they’d be finding it much easier to complete transfers.

The Irons have only brought in three new signings this summer, and Nolan highlighted Lucas Paqueta’s arrival in 2022 as a player who moved to the club primarily due to their involvement on the continent.

On previous headline-making transfers, Nolan said: “Lucas Paqueta could be one – if we weren’t in Europe, he wouldn’t have come, and that’s the be-all and end-all.

“We got someone of his calibre and quality to come to us, and was able to produce the way he did, win us a trophy and be in Europe, again.”

West Ham United’s transfer business has to re-start quickly

Julen Lopetegui’s time in charge at the London Stadium began with significant intent, as the club shelled out £25.5million on 18-year-old Brazilian winger Luis Guilherme before the window had even opened.

Just weeks later, Wes Foderingham and Max Kilman were brought through the doors for nothing and £40m respectively, adding to the home-grown quota and providing ample defensive reinforcements.

Since Kilman’s arrival on 6 July though, no one else has come through the doors, despite Lopetegui being tasked with overhauling the squad into his own mould after replacing David Moyes at the London Stadium.

The Spaniard had targeted six positions to strengthen upon being announced as head coach, and so far in his first transfer window, only two have been filled, with Foderingham solely a back-up goalkeeper.

Both full-back positions, central midfield and up front all require attention as August looms, and with the latter set to cost the club up to £40m [Evening Standard, 26 July] – as sides like Aston Villa and Villarreal refuse to sway on their valuations [Marca, 30 July] for targets such as Jhon Duran and Alexander Sorloth – the Hammers need to find another way of speeding along their rebuild.