West Ham Spends £120m for Premier League Success

West Ham United's technical director has fulfilled his promise of a 'busy summer' in the transfer market, with the club's spending exceeding £120 million. Notable signings include Max Kilman, Niclas Fullkrug, and Crysencio Summerville, with Jean-Clair Todibo recently joining on a season-long loan from Nice, marking the seventh addition to the squad. The club has focused on securing long-term contracts, with Fullkrug and Summerville signing for four and five years, respectively, while Kilman and Aaron Wan-Bissaka committed to seven-year deals. The recruitment strategy has emphasized a blend of youth and experience, with 18-year-old Luis Guilherme being the first signing, alongside seasoned players like 31-year-old Fullkrug and 30-year-old Guido Rodriguez. The head coach, Julen Lopetegui, is expected to implement a flexible 4-2-3-1 formation, allowing for competition among players such as Fullkrug and Michail Antonio for the center forward position, while Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paquetá, and Summerville vie for attacking roles. Despite ongoing legal hurdles, sources indicate that Paquetá is likely to be available for most of the season. The club anticipates potential outgoings before the transfer window closes, with Bowen emerging as a strong candidate for the captaincy following Kurt Zouma's departure. He recently led the team in a pre-season friendly, with James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez also considered for the leadership role.