Here are 2 missed summer targets West Ham could sign in January including former loanee

2 missed summer transfer targets West Ham should sign in January

Appointing a new manager with vast experience and backing him heavily in the summer transfer window generated some much-needed optimism amongst the West Ham fans heading into the new Premier League season.

Four games in and no points taken has royally punctured the positivity which had grown over the summer following the signings they had made in the transfer window. Three successive losses, nine goals conceded and only two scored have piled the misery on Manuel Pellegrini, who is facing a very different challenge at the London stadium compared to his last stint in the Premier League with Manchester City.

West Ham enjoyed one of the best summer transfer windows but very few signings have been able to hit the ground running. Despite bringing in fresh reinforcements, the Hammers appear to be a bit thin and there a couple of areas which need addressing.

If West Ham really intend to progress, they need to be smarter in the transfer market and not just bigger. With that in mind, here are two missed summer transfer targets Pellegrini should sign once the winter transfer window opens.

Joao Mario (Inter Milan)

West Ham had signed Joao Mario on loan from Inter Milan in January and the Portuguese made a really good impact in the five months at London Stadium. In the 14 appearances Mario made, although he managed just two goals, the 25-year-old had built a certain connection with Marko Arnautovic.

As per Calciomercato, Inter are struggling to offload Mario from their books. If the Serie A outfit fails to sell the Portuguese, West Ham should make a move for him in January.

When injuries and fatigue build on, the Hammers would need a couple of fresh faces to give them the final push ahead of the business end of the campaign. Mario could be one of those exciting signings and if the Hammers manage to sign him, he would represent a shrewd addition to their midfield.

Harold Moukoudi (Le Havre)

Despite strengthening the defence, West Ham have leaked an alarming 10 goals in just four Premier League games. Neither of Fabian Balbuena or Issa Diop has looked comfortable and that cries out for splashing the cash again on a centre-half.

Pellegrini could do well by signing Le Havre’s young prospect Harold Moukoudi, who as per the Daily Star, had interested West Ham in the summer transfer window.

Signing a good central defender will not be easy, and that should be an absolute top priority for the Hammers in January. Moukoudi, at 20, was a regular feature for the Le Havre backline last season.

Read more: This could be the right time for Pellegrini to unleash his £22m star signing against Arsenal

Moukoudi’s main attributes are his positioning and reading of the game, and at 20, he already possesses the game intelligence of a far more experienced player. He would be an excellent addition for the Hammers in January.