West Ham will back David Moyes with funds for up to four January signings

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Ken Dyer8 November 2017

David Moyes will be given funds to improve his West Ham squad during January, with a minimum of two players expected to be signed.

Moyes took his first training session on Tuesday at the club’s Rush Green headquarters and will assess the squad over the coming weeks but it is understood there could be as many as four arrivals during the winter transfer window, depending on how many players leave.

The Hammers tried to sign defensive midfielder William Carvalho in the summer but the deal fell through in acrimonious circumstances.

No decision has yet been made on whether to attempt to resurrect that deal as Moyes is being allowed time to assess his squad before deciding where it most needs strengthening.

There was bad feeling between West Ham and Sporting Lisbon when, according to leaked e-mails, the Premier League club offered £23million for Carvalho and then improved that bid with a 10 per cent sell-on clause and add-ons based on Champions League qualification.

West Ham claimed Sporting Lisbon contacted them on the final day of the window to try to finalise the deal but the London club maintained it was too late since they were unable to arrange a medical.

Sporting then accused West Ham of making an illegal approach, an allegation the Hammers have strenuously denied.

One area which may need strengthening is the centre of defence as Portugal international Jose Fonte is expected to be out until February following surgery on a foot injury.

In Pictures | David Moyes' First Training Session as West Ham manager

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Moyes was due to be presented to the media on Wednesday for the first time as West Ham manager. The Scot has been out of the game since resigning as Sunderland boss following their relegation from the Premier League in May.

Despite Moyes’s struggles last season, West Ham co-owner David Sullivan believes the former Everton manager will coax the maximum out of the squad.

“As David said himself, West Ham are a huge club with a huge fan base and the opportunity to take the club forward is an incredible mantle that appealed to managers of the highest calibre,” said Sullivan.

“We have identified David as the man we believe can get the best out of the talented group of players we have at this football club. His record as a Premier League manager over a sustained period is without question.

“We have always allowed our managers to do just that — manage — and David now has the opportunity to do so with our fullest support and backing.

“We decided to move to London Stadium [last year] because we firmly believe that coupled with our commitment, dedication, ambition and investment in the team it will give us the platform to progress and ultimately achieve our ambition of becoming one of England’s top clubs.

“That will not happen overnight and there will undoubtedly be times along the journey when we will need to draw on every bit of passion and determination we have to keep that goal on track. However, we can wholeheartedly promise we will never stop working as hard as possible round the clock until we get there.”

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