West Ham are working on a deal to sign a new midfielder as a priority this month, according to the club’s former senior scout.
Mick Brown, who worked at the London Stadium until leaving alongside David Moyes in June and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that their midfield issues have been a “huge” concern so far this season.
The Hammers are said to be comfortable with the array of attacking talent available, but have held preliminary discussions about strengthening their midfield and defensive units.
Their weaknesses in the middle were exploited in heavy defeats to both Liverpool and Man City in recent weeks, leading to Julen Lopetegui’s eventual dismissal.
Brown, however, has insisted the issues cannot be resolved by a change of coach as they lack the required profile of a tough-tacking option in the middle.
Edson Alvarez plays that role as things stand, but Brown told Football Insider in November that concerns have emerged about how the midfielder has adapted to the Premier League.
As a result, the Hammers are expected to strengthen by signing a new defensive midfielder, with the scouting department already assessing their options.
West Ham planning to sign new midfielder in January transfer twist
Lopetegui was heavily backed in the summer transfer window, but the signing of Guido Rodriguez has failed to pay off, leaving the club in need of another option in his role.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after spending over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, revealed that some behind the scenes have raised concerns about their weakness in the middle.
“The squad is massively lacking in ball-winning midfielders,” he told Football Insider.
“Soucek – apart from being useful defending and attacking corners, I don’t know what he does.
“Alvarez hasn’t been good enough for a while, they’ve been concerned about his performances.
“There isn’t a player in this squad who is going to put his foot in and put pressure on the opposition, and it’s been a huge concern for them.
“I’m told they want to sign a new player in that position to give them more solidity and spot teams just playing through them like we see most weeks.
For me, that has to be their priority.
“There have been discussions at the club about making a move, and the scouts have been lining up potential options, so I’d expect them to do something in January.
