West Ham United summer transfer window 2025: Top targets, budget, most likely signings and priority positions

West Ham United ended the 2024-25 Premier League season in 14th place with just 43 points, and the campaign fell far below supporters' expectations.

Julen Lopetegui started in the dugout last term, and with the former Real Madrid man at the helm, fans thought that he could guide them to the top half.

The Spaniard had also been backed significantly in the transfer window - the likes of Maximilian Kilman and Niclas Fullkrug were added in the summer of 2024 - but the head coach did not last the season.

Graham Potter took over in January, but the Englishman managed only five wins in his 18 Premier League matches. Now, the former Chelsea boss will be hoping to receive the same level of backing in the transfer market as his predecessor as he prepares for the upcoming season.

With the summer market now open, Sports Mole assesses West Ham's top targets, budget, most likely signings and priority positions for the 2025 window.

West Ham's top targets for 2025 summer transfer window

The Hammers have been strongly linked with a move for Galatasaray forward Baris Alper Yilmaz, but reports also suggest that they could face competition from Nottingham Forest for his signature.

Yilmaz is capable of playing on both flanks, and the 25-year-old's ability to hold his own out wide could help Potter implement his possession-oriented style of play.

Further reinforcements are also anticipated in forward areas, with Nice striker Evann Guessand and Stade Reims attacker Adama Bojang both linked with the Hammers, though they are expected to face competition from fellow Premier League clubs.

West Ham have also been linked with midfield additions, with Club Brugge anchor Raphael Onyedika said to be of interest to Potter. The 24-year-old would be a welcome addition given the club's squad ranked as the oldest in the Premier League last term (28), and an injection of younger players could help the team better compete against high-intensity opponents.

Manchester City's Jack Grealish has also emerged as a loan target for the Hammers, and it would be some story if they could secure a deal for the England international.

West Ham's budget for 2025 summer transfer window

The £105m sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal in the summer of 2023 helped the club fund much of their transfer activity over the last two seasons, but fans are concerned about whether the team will continue to spend.

In quotes reported on West Ham's official website in April, Potter assured supporters that he will be given enough financial support to be competitive, saying: "The potential here is huge and exciting. We have a lot of things going for us. The resources are there to be competitive. We have a really ambitious and supportive board. Now it is about building a foundation to allow us to achieve."

Over the past five years, West Ham United rank sixth in the Premier League for net spend (£264.5m), placing fifth, seventh, and fourth in the last three seasons, respectively. Their transfer budget could be further boosted by offloading some current players - though one major name, Mohammed Kudus, has already departed.

The Ghanaian international has officially joined Tottenham Hotspur, bringing an end to his spell at the London Stadium. Kudus had previously been linked with a number of top clubs, including Newcastle United, Arsenal, and Manchester United, with the Magpies showing strong interest as they searched for attacking reinforcements after losing ground in their pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo, who is now close to joining Manchester United.

Kudus leaves West Ham with a record of 19 goals and 13 assists in 80 appearances across all competitions. However, his 2024–25 campaign fell short of expectations, yielding just five goals and four assists. His move to Spurs now gives him a fresh start, while West Ham look to reshape their squad ahead of the new season.

West Ham's most likely signings for 2025 summer transfer window

While West Ham are certain to add to their offensive ranks, but it would not be surprising if they also looked to reinforce in defence, with Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis linked. Given the Saints were relegated to the Championship, the Englishman could be a cost-effective addition to Potter's side and would be a strong partner to Kilman.

Up front, Yilmaz could represent a smart, cost-effective addition, with Guessand and Bojang also seen as affordable attacking options. While West Ham had previously been linked with AC Milan striker Tammy Abraham, any hopes of securing his signature have now ended following his move to Besiktas last week.

Abraham had long been viewed as a potential target for the Hammers, with the club frequently linked to the former Chelsea forward. He previously netted 26 goals and provided seven assists in 89 Premier League appearances, but West Ham will now have to explore alternative options to bolster their attacking line.

Former Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters is also seemingly nearing a move to West Ham on a free transfer.

West Ham's priority positions for 2025 summer transfer window

With the future of attacker Lucas Paqueta uncertain following allegations of breaching the Premier League's spending rules, reinforcing the side's offensive ranks should be seen as a matter of priority.

With Kudus now gone, finding players capable of operating out wide and in the team's number 10 role will be important, and Grealish is seemingly a serious target for the club.

West Ham have failed to replace ageing striker Michail Antonio, with Fullkrug having struggled with injuries in 2024-25, and he is likely to be plagued by more problems in the future considering he is already 32.

The Hammers only netted 44 goals in the Premier League last term - the sixth-worst return - and Potter will want to ensure that his side are more entertaining in 2025-26.

Written by
Lewis Nolan