"Newman and his team have been...": Ex drops teasing WHU claim that'll excite fans - opinion

ExWHUEmployee has shared what he knows about West Ham United’s focus of interest in the remaining week of this January transfer window.

The Hammers have been linked with a whole host of players this month, but are still looking to make a real marquee addition to their ranks as David Moyes plots a way for his side to finish in a Champions League spot this season.

Now, Ex has revealed that Ligue 1 has been Rob Newman’s – the club’s head of recruitment – main focus.

Via his Patreon, he said: “Another reported target in the French league is Stephy Mavididi of Montpellier. It is clear what league Newman and his team have been focusing their interest on since in post, aside from the domestic leagues in England, as we covered on the podcast.”

With the clubs around them in that hunt for a top four place – the likes of Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester United in particular – all struggling to make any new signings just yet, West Ham’s lack of transfer activity so far should be slightly tempered.

The Hammers can’t afford to take a big-money gamble that back-fires on them, particularly with them well-set for a real push for a European place once again this campaign.

Ligue 1 has seen a number of rising stars in recent years come to the fore, and given that the club have also been linked with moves for the likes of Mohamed Bayo of Clermont, and Hugo Ekitike of Reims, it makes sense that Newman is concentrating his scouting efforts in just one region.

The West Ham scouting department should be far more streamlined with this approach as we head into this final week of the window, when things will get undeniably hectic.

Having scouts in different places around the world can lead to various different issues, so Newman honing in on the French