West Ham are under pressure to significantly bolster their side this summer but it’s been a frustrating start to the window for fans, with the Hammers so far only getting Pablo Zabaleta through the door on a free transfer from Manchester City.
Slaven Bilic’s side have made it clear that they intend to sign two top-class strikers to bolster their ranks this summer and further additions could be made in other areas, with the Hammers regularly linked to the services of a new goalkeeper- despite the Croatian boss stating he’s happy with his current options.
One name that continues to pop-up is Manchester City’s Joe Hart, who’s seeking an exit from the Etihad Stadium after being ousted from the club last summer upon Pep Guardiola’s arrival in the Premier League, spending the campaign on-loan with Serie A outfit Torino.
Hart, who’s battling to retain his spot as England’s first-choice goalkeeper ahead of the World Cup next summer, is likely to seal a move before the close of the transfer window in August but his wage demands seem to be an issue, with only loan deals on the cards.
West Ham, according to The Telegraph, are one of the sides interested in taking the 30-year-old on-loan for the forthcoming campaign but Hart is left in limbo as Manchester City would prefer a permanent sale, although that currently seems unlikely.
Whilst the Citizens may try to persuade West Ham into a deal to capture Hart’s services on a permanent deal, the Hammers decision to pursue a loan deal is the right move as Hart has a hell of a lot to prove in the coming 12 months- especially if he doesn’t reduce his wage demands.
On paper, Hart would be a stellar addition to West Ham’s ranks but transfer deals are never that simple and it could be that the England ace struggles to settle into life at the London Stadium, which could end up costing the Hammers a fortune.
Securing a loan deal avoids that sort of problem though as the Hammers would have no obligation to bring Hart in on a permanent basis, which puts the ball in the goalkeeper’s court to show he’s worth the sort of sum he would command.