David Moyes hints at Ward-Prowse links as he sets out West Ham’s transfer plan

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avid Moyes says he will look to bolster his squad with British and homegrown players this summer, but has warned West Ham are unlikely to be “huge spenders” when the window opens next month.

The Hammers made eight new signings during a £170million overhaul of their squad last summer, of which three came from English football, while Alphonse Areola signed from Paris Saint-Germain on a permanent deal having been on loan at the London Stadium the previous year.

The most high-profile – and expensive – additions, however, came from overseas with club-record buy Lucas Paqueta, striker Gianluca Scamacca and Nayef Aguerd signed in deals worth a total of around £110m.

Moyes has suggested that last summer’s transition contributed heavily to the Hammers’ poor League campaign, with that trio all taking time to settle in east London. Aguerd missed most of the first half of the season with an ankle problem, while Paqueta is only now showing his best form and Scamacca has endured an injury-hit campaign, eventually curtailed by knee surgery.

West Ham have been linked with moves for England internationals James Ward-Prowse and Harvey Barnes and Moyes confirmed he will look closer to home this summer.

“I would say yes, I think I would like to add more a little bit more of British players or homegrown players if we possibly could,” he said.