West Ham boss David Moyes says fans would burst out laughing if they knew who the club have bid for
- Planet Sport writer
- 24 August 2022
West Ham manager David Moyes revealed that the club have tried to bring in “top players” during a difficult summer transfer window.
The Hammers have made seven first-team signings so far, including the recent arrival of left-back Emerson Palmieri from Chelsea.
Moyes confirmed the club have put in bids for Club Brugge's Hans Vanaken and Lyon's Lucas Paqueta and admits they have been ambitious in chasing big-name players.
The Scot accepted he had probably lost count of the number of players West Ham have bid for, saying: "Do you know what, I'd probably say yes.
"We've bid for a lot of players and if I told you who, you would burst out laughing and say 'you're kidding'.
"Maybe we've tried to go way above our station, but we have tried to get really top players because I knew we needed it.
"For us a couple of top players coming in would give everyone a lift and help ease the pressure on Declan Rice, Michail Antonio and Tomas Soucek."
The Hammers have brought in Alphonse Areola, Gianluca Scamacca, Nayef Aguerd and Thilo Kehrer from other European leagues.
Moyes believes it can be easier to do business abroad, with just Emerson, Maxwel Cornet and Flynn Downes joining this summer from British clubs.
"I think it probably tells you how little there is out there to buy, certainly British players. I think it's been easier to do business abroad," Moyes said.
"Any of the British players, the prices have been really, really big for them. If you're talking about trying to get the best-looking newcomers, who will be at the club for the next six, or seven years, it will cost you big money, so that's been a hard thing."
