The upcoming January transfer window will be a vitally important one for West Ham United.
Julen Lopetegui made some top tier signings for West Ham in the summer, but he needs to really fine tune his squad at the London Stadium in the January transfer window.
It’s obvious that the Hammers head coach needs to sign an explosive centre-forward with real pace and power.
It could be argued that we need another centre-back and more power, energy and dynamism in central midfield as well.
It has been claimed that the West Ham hierarchy weren’t entirely satisfied with Tim Steidten‘s business in the summer, namely the deal to bring Luis Guilherme to the club.
Will they be prepared to hand the German free rein at another assault on the transfer market this winter?
It appears so…
Colombian’s club believe he’ll join West Ham in January window
So it seems as though one player’s move to the London Stadium this winter is inevitable.
Fluminense star Jhon Arias will almost certainly join the Hammers, according to a report from RTI Esporte.
We were actually linked with a move to sign him in the summer, with Fluminense believed to be asking for around £11 million for his signature.
The 27-year-old Colombia international is a right-footed right winger by trade – a fairly uncommon commodity in the modern era.
However, he can operate through the middle or out wide on the left as well if need be.
He has bagged 13 goals and eight assists in 47 games for Fluminense this season so far (Transfermarkt).
Arias possesses pace and power in abundance, and he would provide really solid cover on both flanks and in attacking midfield.
The Fluminense ace can even be used as an auxiliary centre-forward if he’s required to do so.
If he really is available for around £10-15 million, I believe that signing him this winter should be a no-brainer for West Ham.
For that kind if money, Jhon Arias would be a very smart addition for West Ham in the January transfer window.
The 2024 Autumn Budget will be announced in parliament today by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and it could have huge repercussions for West Ham United.
Rachel Reeves’ 2024 Budget will be the first one that the Labour Party has delivered in 14 years.
And those in high places at West Ham may well be wishing that the Tories were still in power…
Reeves is expected to announce some sweeping changes including adjustments to things like minimum wage and NHS funding, and major tweaks to borrowing and income tax.
David Sullivan will be anxiously awaiting the official confirmation of the Chancellor’s 2024 Autumn budget.
The because the Hammers co-owner faces a big bill, if Reeves delivers the budget that many expect her to…
Budget 2024: How Chancellor Rachel Reeves could cost West Ham £3m
Bad news may well be lying ahead for West Ham it seems.
It is being suggested that Chancellor Rachel Reeves is increasingly likely to raise the National Insurance contributions for employers, when she announces her 2024 Autumn Budget to parliament today (Telegraph).
And Hammers insider Sean Whetstone – a close ally of co-owner David Sullivan, has highlighted how that could affect us as a club.
Whetstone took to his X account, and explained how West Ham may have to pay up to £3 million extra in addition tax per annum:
That doesn’t sound like good news at all does it, with the Hammers’ budget said to be already ‘fully allocated’.
With the well dry so to speak, the last thing West Ham needed is further outgoings being added to the accounts after the 2024 Budget is announced by Rachel Reeves.
That said, £3 million is a splash in the ocean for a Premier League football club isn’t it, especially when you consider the money we’ve wasted on some players throughout the years!
Hopefully the National Insurance contributions for employers hike isn’t as severe as some people are predicting.
David Sullivan is one man who will certainly be praying that it’s not!
