West Ham United have been dealt a third blow this week after Marko Arnautovic was ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring problem, in addition to Manuel Lanzini and Andy Carroll being sidelined for lengthy periods.
Arnautovic and Lanzini have been pivotal in West Ham’s recent form, contributing to five of their past eight league goals. Arnautovic played with the injury in the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Saturday but will miss the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic this weekend, when he was expected to be rested, and league games against Crystal Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion and Watford.
Lanzini is expected to be out for six weeks and looks likely to miss those matches and, in addition, games against Liverpool and Swansea City. Carroll is out for three months after an ankle operation.
The injuries will end the prospect of Carroll moving to Chelsea and Javier Hernández leaving. West Ham had been willing to sell at least one forward to fund a deal for another striker, defensive midfielder and centre back, but will have to change their approach.
Moyes has watched Fabian, the midfielder who is in contract talks with Real Betis, and André Gomes, of Barcelona. His backroom staff have observed Leander Dendoncker, the defensive midfielder valued by Anderlecht at £20 million.
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West Ham must also consider the future of André Ayew and Diafra Sakho, the club’s only frontline strikers. The club are considering a request from Bordeaux to sign Sakho after Rennes’ offer was rejected and Roy Hodgson pulled the plug on a move to Crystal Palace. Swansea City’s offer to re-sign Ayew was also rejected.