Three players West Ham should sign to kick-start the Lopetegui era | OneFootball

West Ham United are planning a major squad overhaul to hand incoming manager Julen Lopetegui a head start this summer.

After months of uncertainty and speculation, the board finally confirmed they will part ways with manager David Moyes at the end of the season, closing his seven-year chapter with the club.

Regardless of how the Scotsman leaves the club, it has been a hugely successful second stint for Moyes at the London Stadium.

The 61-year-old transformed the club into European contenders, and one of the continental adventures ended with a Europa Conference League title, ending a 43-year wait for silverware.

He will get a chance to say a proper farewell to the Hammers faithful against Luton Town, with Lopetegui waiting in the wings to succeed the Scotsman in the dugout next season.

The Spaniard has agreed to take over at London Stadium, although a significant number of West Ham supporters are still undecided about his appointment.

With several departments in desperate need of reinforcements, here are three players West Ham must consider ahead of a crucial summer window.

Vangelis Pavlidis

Vangelis Pavlidis has been repeatedly linked with a move away from AZ Alkmaar, with the Premier League sounded out as a potential landing spot.

The 25-year-old has been in sensational form for the Dutch side this season, leading the Eredivisie goalscoring chart with 28 goals from 32 league appearances.

Pavlidis’ goals have been crucial to AZ’s European ambitions, firing his side to fourth place in the Eredivisie, two points adrift of the Champions League qualification spot.

In addition to his lethal finishing, Pavlidis has also created nine big chances, showcasing his ability to impact the game as a playmaker, even though he only has two assists to show for it.

The Greece international could be the ideal replacement for Michail Antonio, who is expected to follow Moyes through the London Stadium exit when his contract runs out this summer.

Tosin Adarabioyo

West Ham have not kept a clean sheet in the league since a goalless draw against Brighton & Hove Albion in January.

That was 16 Premier League games ago, so it’s fair to say they need defensive reinforcements to revamp a rapidly ageing backline.

Tosin Adarabioyo ticks all the boxes, particularly as he will be a free agent this summer.

After turning down several contract proposals from Fulham, the towering centre-half has been linked with a move to West Ham.

Adarabioyo has been a consistent performer for Fulham this season, helping to keep six clean sheets in 20 Premier League appearances.

He has scored a couple of goals to contribute to Fulham’s push for a top-half finish. But his defensive metrics have been particularly eye-catching, forcing potential European suitors to pay attention.

His intimidating frame makes him near-unbeatable in aerial duels, boasting an impressive 62% success rate in such battles, although his ground duel metric stands at a more modest 53%.

Tiago Santos

With Vladimir Coufal and Ben Johnson’s futures at London Stadium uncertain, Tiago Santos could be an ideal replacement for both players.

The Portugal under-23 right-back has been a revelation for Lille this season, playing a crucial role in the club’s push for a Champion League berth.

The 21-year-old boasts an impressive 12 clean sheets in 28 Ligue 1 games, averaging 2.2 tackles, ball recoveries and 1.2 clearances per match.

He is relatively easy to beat in the air, evidenced by his paltry 36% success rate. But what he lacks in height, he makes up for in 1vs1 duels, winning an impressive 63% of his ground duels.

Santos has also bagged a goal and two assists while creating four big chances. He’d be a decent addition to West Ham’s backline and a statement of intent ahead of a new era.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com.