TransferRoom, the online marketplace used by more than 700 clubs worldwide to arrange signings, saw West Ham advertise their needs recently.
They listed seven positions – left-back, centre-back, defensive midfielder, central midfielder, striker, winger and No 10. Edson Alvarez is set to occupy one of those slots – his £35million move from Ajax is close to completion – and Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire could fill two other voids.
Manchester United have already turned down two £30m bids for McTominay and Maguire – they are understood to want £45m for their midfielder and £35m for their defender – but talks are ongoing over a compromise with West Ham.