The overlooked problem West Ham need to fix this summer - and the £26m player who could do the job

West Ham United face an important summer transfer window ahead, irrespective of which division they find themselves.

The Hammers are currently embroiled in a Premier League relegation battle and amidst rival strugglers such as Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side remain below the dotted line at present and will need to work hard in order to avoid a return to the Championship for the first time since 2012.

Much of their summer transfer business will, therefore, depend on whether the Hammers survive relegation come the end of the season. The reality, though, is that they might see the departures of several first-team stars regardless.

Strengthening at striker and at the back have been viewed as key for the Hammers this term, both in the January window and moving forward – but another area of the field might soon come to the fore as equally important to resolve.

Should West Ham look to prioritise signing a winger this summer?

West Ham winger duo Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville have been two of the club’s stand-out performers this season. Captain and talisman Bowen has stood out for the Hammers as he always does, while Summerville has burst into life in 2026 so far after a quiet opening 18 months at the club.

The reality is that, no matter how well the pair are performing, they have limited cover behind them. The club attempted to rectify this in January – they signed Adama Traore on a low-cost deal from Fulham, while bringing in youngster Keiber Lamadrid from Venezuela. Both signings might be able to paper over the cracks in the case of injuries in the remainder of this season, but neither player can be expected to become the A-side, first-choice option in the Premier League at present and the future of especially Summerville is unclear if recent transfer links to the likes of Tottenham Hotspur re-emerge.

Signing another winger to compete with the Dutchman or potentially replace him if he is sold should, therefore, be a summer priority.

Fulham loan star could become surprise West Ham answer

According to reports earlier in February by Fichajes, West Ham are one of several clubs interested in securing a move for AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze, who is currently out on loan at Fulham.

The Cottagers are thought to be in the driving seat to secure a permanent deal for the Nigerian, with an option to buy present in their loan deal. Nothing is set in stone yet, though, and that is where West Ham could step in.

It has been reported that Fulham’s option to buy is worth around £21m for the winger, who has been a useful member of Marco Silva’s squad this term with three goals and four assists, without necessarily being a nailed-on starter for the entire campaign. Fichajes suggest that Milan value the 26-year-old at up to £26m and have noted rival interest from Crystal Palace and Aston Villa in addition to the Hammers.

Chukwueze has mostly operated from the left for Fulham this season and is comfortable on both flanks, offering a reliable option to elevate the squad available to Nuno if he were to move to east London rather than west. Even if Fulham do decide to exercise their permanent option to sign Chukwueze, West Ham could still test their mettle with an offer in excess of their £21m paid to hand the Cottagers a quick profit over the winger.

An unlikely scenario, perhaps, and reports by Fichajes are always to be taken with a pinch of salt, but there is no denying that a winger should be high on the West Ham wish list this summer. The future of Chukwueze is one to watch with interest.