Transfer Talk: Moyes needs market magic to usher in a new era for Irons

David Moyes is building something special at the London Stadium — but West Ham have work to do this summer to keep the good times rolling.

With an ageing squad and key players out of contract, there are decisions to be made over the coming months which will shape the Hammers' future success.

Ahead of the first leg of the Irons' seismic Europa League semi-final with Eintracht Frankfurt tonight, we take a look at how their off-season could shape up.

All in good time

Speaking last month, Moyes admitted that West Ham may need to make a number of moves in the next transfer window if they are to continue competing at their current level.

However, the Scot also emphasised the importance of players fitting into the culture he has fostered at the club.

He said: "It takes quite a lot of thought in trying to get the right player with the right character who fits what you want to do and trying to spend the money the West Ham supporters have put into the club as wisely as I possibly can.

"We could do with a stronger squad. We would have liked to have made more signings [in January].

"But every time we get asked those questions, I feel like saying 'Do you think we did not try? Do you think that we did not make offers? Do you think we do not know we need a bigger squad?'"

Moyes will know as well as anyone that the Irons have to strengthen this summer — but he will also recognise that his steady approach has served the club well so far.

Between the sticks

Arguably the most significant player out of contract in June is first-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.

The previously error-prone Pole has taken his game to new heights with the Hammers — and has never looked like losing the No1 spot to loanee Alphonse Areola this season.

It therefore came as no surprise to hear Moyes reveal that Fabianski will be offered a new deal at the London Stadium.

That said, the 57-cap international will be 38 by the end of next season. So while his position has greater longevity than any other in the game, West Ham probably ought to start thinking about his successor.

At the back

While Craig Dawson will be involved tonight, his sending off in last Sunday's Premier League loss at Chelsea means that Moyes will have no senior centre-backs available for this weekend's home clash with Arsenal.

More than anything, West Ham have had rotten luck with injuries in defence. One of those out is Angelo Ogbonna, who tore his ACL back in November and turns 34 next month.

Dawson will be 32 in eight days' time — and while both he and Ogbonna have been rocks at the back for the Hammers, there is a sense that it is a department which could do with an injection of youth.

In the middle of the park

Mark Noble's retirement will bring about the end of an era for West Ham — but they could face a battle to keep hold of the man set to take over as captain, Declan Rice.

If the Hammers are to continue building something special under Moyes, they simply have to keep hold of their 23-year-old star. He is not only the club's standout player but one of the very best midfielders in Europe.

Long linked with a move to Manchester United or Chelsea, Manchester City are also now rumoured to be keen on the England international.

But with Moyes warning that it would take at least £150million to lure Rice away from East London — not to mention the fact that West Ham could be playing Champions League football next term — potential suitors might have to set their sights elsewhere.

Up front

One area where West Ham do seriously lack depth is up front, where they have been short of a striker ever since Sebastien Haller left for Ajax in January last year.

With 32-year-old attacking spearhead Michail Antonio needing his fitness to be managed carefully — especially with the Irons likely to feature in European competition again next season — signing at least one forward is a must this summer.

And whether it is a rumoured target like Benfica hotshot Darwin Nunez or Union Berlin star Taiwo Awoniyi — or even a lesser-known name — you can count on Moyes making yet another shrewd acquisition.