Should winger Said Benrahma depart before the February 1 transfer deadline, West Ham United could potentially secure the services of a notable “big-game” captain from a rival club, as indicated by reputable transfer source Fabrizio Romano.

West Ham’s squad has been grappling with a spate of injuries and absences, compelling technical director Tim Steidten to actively pursue additional attacking options. The setbacks include a recent injury setback for Michail Antonio, ongoing absence of Mohammed Kudus at the Africa Cup of Nations, and an extended spell on the sidelines for Lucas Paqueta due to a calf injury, thus diminishing the creative attacking resources available to manager David Moyes.

As a response to these challenges, West Ham and Moyes are seeking reinforcements, despite the possibility of Jarrod Bowen’s potential return to face Sheffield United. In recent weeks, a multitude of names have been linked with a move to West Ham, including Sunderland’s Jack Clarke, Sporting Lisbon’s Marcus Edwards, Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy, and Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez.

Another prospective option for West Ham is the former Tottenham forward Steven Bergwijn, who has distinguished himself as a standout player for Ajax during a turbulent season. Bergwijn currently holds the captain’s armband at Ajax, but reports suggest that West Ham is a credible contender to lure him away from Amsterdam.

In an update provided to GiveMeSport, Fabrizio Romano disclosed that West Ham could potentially secure the signing of Bergwijn if Benrahma departs before the transfer deadline. Romano emphasized the possibility of Bergwijn joining West Ham in the event of Benrahma’s departure following a potential offer from Lyon, contingent on the player’s willingness to make the move. Romano highlighted that Bergwijn remains a top target for West Ham, dependent on potential departures from the club.

Despite experiencing mixed fortunes at Tottenham, Bergwijn has been commended as a “big-game” player during certain junctures of his career under the management of Jose Mourinho. If the speculated transfer materializes, Bergwijn’s potential move to West Ham could offer the club a valuable augmentation to its attacking arsenal, reaffirming the club’s intent to strengthen its squad in pursuit of its objectives.