The stunning £137m transfer window West Ham United could have had this summer - according to Football Manager

It has been a challenging summer for David Moyes as he has struggled to add to the West Ham United squad he led to the Europa Conference League Final win against Fiorentina just under two months ago.

Of course, the summer transfer window so far has largely been dominated by speculation over Declan Rice’s future and his subsequent move to Premier League rivals Arsenal. The £100million deal may well have swelled the coffers at the London Stadium but that money remains in there after the Hammers have experienced a fruitless bid to strengthen their ranks.

Rice is not the only departure from West Ham in recent weeks after Arthur Masuaku completed a permanent move to Turkish club Besiktas and Manuel Lanzini returned to Argentina to join River Plate following the end of his contract with the Hammers.

Speculation over Moyes’ next moves in the market have been widespread, and we, in a fit of #Fridayfeeling frivolity, fired up Football Manager 2023 to discover how West Ham’s transfer window could have gone this summer, based on its predictions:

Alex Scott (Bristol City) - £21million

The England Under-20s midfielder has been attracting interest from a whole host of Premier League clubs including West Ham after a string of impressive performances with the Robins. Bournemouth look set to win the race for his services in the real world - but it is Moyes and the Hammers that have secured the youngster in the virtual one, with a £21million deal.

Donny van de Beek (Manchester United) - £13.5million

The Netherlands international is said to be on his way out of Old Trafford in reality, and is believed to have interest from a number of clubs wanting to take him on loan as he continues his recovery from a long-term injury. However, it’s a permanent move in the virtual transfer market as Moyes risks a cool £13.5m to make the former Ajax man part of his new-look midfield.

Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig) - £44.5million

Now we are talking. An attacking midfielder of real threat in the final third, Olmo has provided 50 goal contributions in 123 appearances for Leipzig and has earned 31 caps for Spain over the last four years. Moyes has seen off competition from several of the Premier League’s biggest clubs to secure Olmo in his second biggest deal of the window.

Florentino Luis (Benfica) - £46million

Arguably the man to replace Declan Rice in this virtual Hammers squad, Luis became Moyes’ biggest summer addition when he completed a deal worth an initial £46million to Portuguese giants Benfica. Able to play as a holding midfielder or in a more advanced role, Luis had a number of suitors in La Liga, Serie A and the Premier League before Moyes got his wallet out.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (free agent)

The 35-times capped England midfielder is a free agent after he left Liverpool last month and there have been suggestions a number of clubs in Turkey, the MLS and Saudi Pro-League are keen on his services. But it’s West Ham and Moyes that have picked him up in on a free transfer in the virtual market. A gamble? Yes, but it might just pay off.

Juan Bernat (Paris Saint-Germain) - £4m

Finally Moyes moves away from signing midfielders and brings in a left-back from the current Ligue 1 champions. After five years with PSG, Bernat arrived at the London Stadium in a cut-price move and brings top level experience to the Hammers squad.

Danilo Cataldi (Lazio) - £16million

It didn’t last long - Moyes is straight back into signing midfielders - this is some coping mechanism to deal with the grief of Rice’s exit, surely - following the Bernat move after he lashed out £16million to sign Lazio’s defensive midfielder Danilo Cataldi in the final hours of the transfer window. You’ll be pleased to know that is his last midfield addition.

Davinson Sanchez (Tottenham Hotspur) - £8million

But it’s not his final signing of the window. With the deadline rapidly approaching Moyes heads across London and secures what feels like an inflated £8million deal for Spurs defender Davinson Sanchez. The Colombia international will battle for a place at the heart of the Hammers defence with the likes of Kurt Zouma, Nayef Aguerd and Angelo Ogbonna.