With the transfer window set to close on Friday, there will be more outgoings than incomings for West Ham United.
Danny Ings, Maxwel Cornet, Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma failed to feature in the matchday squad for the Carabao Cup win against Bournemouth. The quartet are expected to seal exits, having been informed they do not feature in Julen Lopetegui’s plans.
Ings is surplus to requirements following the £27million arrival of forward Niclas Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund. Cornet failed to catch the new head coach’s eye during pre-season, while Aguerd and Zouma are no longer the preferred defensive pairing following the additions of Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo.
The 1-0 victory sees West Ham advance to the third round of the Carabao Cup, where they will face Liverpool. But the performance was far from convincing and highlighted the need for another option in midfield.
Here, The Athletic looks at the main talking points from the win.
What is happening with potential outgoings?
Several players could still leave West Ham before the deadline — and they were conspicuous by their absence on Wednesday night.
An hour before kick-off, Cornet uploaded a picture on Instagram with the caption: “Timing is key”. The Ivory Coast international, who joined from Burnley for £17.5million in August 2022, has struggled to have an impact at West Ham since joining, with a paltry return of one goal across 37 appearances. He could leave before Friday, with reports in the Telegraph saying Southampton are interested in a loan move. The Athletic has not been able to confirm this interest. Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest were interested earlier this calendar year.
Ings, meanwhile, was a second-half substitute in the opening-day loss to Aston Villa. That may prove to be the 32-year-old forward’s last appearance for West Ham with Ings expected to leave before the window closes. Since joining from Aston Villa in January 2023, Ings has scored four goals in 53 appearances in all competitions. He has no interest in playing in the Championship and would prefer to remain in the Premier League.
Aguerd could leave West Ham (Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Aguerd rejected a move to Bundesliga side Wolfsburg earlier this week. The 28-year-old Moroccan defender has had interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League and Turkey, but is waiting for the right offer. His contract expires in 2027, has struggled with consistency during his two-year spell. He last featured for West Ham in their pre-season loss to Celta Vigo in early August. He has not featured in the matchday squad this season.
Lopetegui’s preferred defensive pairing has been Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos. Todibo, who joined from Nice on an initial season-long loan deal with an obligation to buy, is now the third-choice option. Aguerd has the same representative as Zouma and is keen to leave before the window closes.
Earlier this summer it was determined Zouma no longer had a long-term future at the London Stadium. The centre-back was set to join United Arab Emirates side Shabab Al-Ahli, but the deal collapsed. West Ham gave the 11-time France international permission to remain abroad to secure an exit. Zouma has now agreed a move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Orouba and is set to sign a two-year deal. Zouma, whose contract expires next summer, has made 103 appearances for West Ham since moving from Chelsea for £29million in 2021.
Andy Irving’s future remains unclear. The midfielder joined West Ham last September but spent the season on loan at Austria Klagenfurt. He was also initially not in the matchday squad against Bournemouth, but was named on the bench when Aaron Cresswell sustained a hamstring injury during the warm-up. Irving impressed in pre-season games against Ferencvaros and Dagenham & Redbridge but is yet to make his official debut. West Ham remain in the market for a midfielder, although another arrival is dependent on fringe players leaving.
How did the new signings play?
Crysencio Summerville showed glimpses of his potential on his full debut. The £25million signing from Leeds United had two noticeable efforts on goal. Post-match, a member of Lopetegui’s backroom staff joked with Summerville about the chances he missed. The attacker vowed to score in his next match.
Todibo endured a shaky performance in his first start. The centre-back was booked for a mistimed tackle on forward Daniel Jebbison and was replaced by Mavropanos at half-time. Lopetegui later revealed Todibo had a little problem, he asked to come off and his substitution was a precaution. Kilman and Wan-Bissaka have had no issues settling into the team and the duo produced another solid performance. Wan-Bissaka deputised at left-back for Cresswell and impressed defensively with a key interception on Marcus Tavernier.
Summer signing Todibo played against Bournemouth (Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)
“We stuck together and we got the result we wanted in the end,” said Wan-Bissaka. “It was a proud moment for me making my full debut at home. The aim was to give it my all for the team. Playing well comes with confidence and being able to express myself. That’s what the manager wants me to do so I’m trying to find my feet. I’ve settled in well, the boys have been great and the fans have been amazing. It’s all going in the right direction.”
Fullkrug led the line but struggled to test Bournemouth’s defence. The forward is not blessed with pace, unlike Michail Antonio, and faces a challenge to dislodge the Jamaica international from the starting XI.
Is there a need for Carlos Soler?
After the hour-mark, there was a passage of play where West Ham were on the counter, but the move ended in Ward-Prowse passing back to defence. This led to loud groans from the crowd. The longer the first half went on, the more it became clear why West Ham want to augment their midfield options with a creative option like Carlos Soler.
Lopetegui still needs an attacking outlet if Lucas Paqueta and others sustain injury. Ward-Prowse, Tomas Soucek and Edson Alvarez were slow in possession against Bournemouth, which allowed them to grow in confidence and pile on the pressure.
Lopetegu was tight-lipped about potential incomings but a deal for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Soler is expected to be West Ham’s last addition this window.
(Top photo: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
