Alan Shearer reacts as Gary Lineker shares West Ham United transfer news on Match of the Day

Alan Shearer has predicted a mid-table finish for West Ham if they can get a few more signings through the door this summer.

Match of the Day host Gary Lineker revealed on the show on Saturday (12 August, 1hr14m) that the Hammers are closing in on deals for England internationals Harry Maguire and James Ward-Prowse.

Responding to the news, Shearer questioned the Irons’ lack of activity in the transfer window so far but believes the club can finish around mid-table if they can get those signings over the line.

“They knew that Rice was going to go, so I don’t know why it’s taken them so long to get the players in,” said Shearer.

“I know they’ve brought in Edson Alvarez and they’re obviously trying to get James Ward-Prowse and Harry Maguire. If they do get those and maybe one or two others, I think they’ll be alright West Ham. I think they’ll be in and around mid-table.”

Take it

Although it’s not where the club have aspirations on where it wants to be, a mid-table finish would probably be quite welcome to most West Ham fans at the moment.

There has been a lot of uneasiness created so far in the transfer window, having let Declan Rice and Gianluca Scamacca move on, while only securing the signing of Alvarez.

Shearer is right that a few more players are probably still needed to get to that point and the potential signings of Maguire and Ward-Prowse should hopefully help with that.

The club do still need to add more firepower, though, as the attacking options have only got weaker despite the side lacking in front of goal last season.

It was a reasonable start to the campaign with a draw against Bournemouth, but we need to push hard to get a few more signings in now as a couple of tricky games are just around the corner.