West Ham United must undergo a massive squad overhaul this summer, with the club eyeing upgrades in several positions from back to front.
The Hammers must improve in many areas, but perhaps the most pressing is defence. The Irons have been defensively vulnerable for the past two seasons.
Even after signing Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo, West Ham still lack defensive resolve. The transfer team will need to reenter the market to address the issue.
The Hammers have already started pushing buttons to sign Burnley man CJ Egan-Riley.
His contract expires this June, and the Hammers are trying to be at the front of the queue for his signature.
Unfortunately for West Ham, Strasbourg have entered the race for Egan-Riley, and they can offer European football, which might turn his head.
However, according to The Guardian, West Ham have not given up and will keep trying to strike a deal for the 22-year-old Englishman.
Egan-Riley has helped Burnley keep 26 clean sheets in 41 Championship appearances, winning 50% of his aerial and 75% of his ground duels.
With those numbers and the possibility of a free transfer, it is a no-brainer that West Ham are after Egan-Riley.
But the Hammers must also be prepared to miss out on the Burnley defender with Strasbourg snooping.
Two potential alternatives to Egan-Riley – Opinion
If West Ham want an underappreciated, physically solid defender with Premier League experience and a clean injury slate, the Hammers should look no further than Chelsea star Trevoh Chalobah.
The 25-year-old is on the Chelsea chopping block because they keep looking for pure profit, and West Ham should be queuing for his signature.
Chalobah has arguably been Chelsea’s best defender this season, but they do not see his value. He can strengthen the West Ham rearguard immensely and wouldn’t cost more than £25 million.
Another option for the Hammers is Club Brugge star Joel Ordonez. He is already on the West Ham radar and could be a potential signing if the club cannot get Egan-Riley.
Ordonez caught the eye strutting his stuff for the Belgian club this season and has attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 21-year-old Ecuadorian has a notable upside. He also has European experience and would bolster this weak rearguard.
For West Ham to move forward, shoring up the backline is non-negotiable. The Irons cannot afford to miss again with their next defensive pick.
(Stats from Sofascore and Transfermarkt)