Joel Campbell has claimed that he never wanted to leave Arsenal over the summer despite suggestions from his manager that he was eyeing a move and has reiterated his commitment to the club.

The Costa Rican was heavily linked with a permanent transfer away from the Emirates Stadium during the last window following a series of loan switches.

Arsene Wenger recently shed some light on his attacker’s status during the summer by suggesting that he did in fact want to leave.

However, Campbell is currently firmly back in the Gunners fold, with injuries having led to starts in the club’s last two Premier League games against Swansea and Spurs – he netted ion the 3-0 win in South Wales.

And speaking to IBTimes, the 23-year-old has claimed that a move was not on his agenda despite the speculation, with staying at Arsenal for the long-term his aim:

“No (I didn’t want to move). I’m here at Arsenal, I am very happy. I keep fighting for my dream and I think I still have a long-term future here.”

“Obviously a player always wants to play but in a team which has so many quality players like Arsenal, you need to be patient and taking the chance when it arrives.”

Campbell went on to reveal that he is doing all he can to convince Wenger to keep him in his XI even when the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain return to fitness:

“I try to do my best and then the manager will decide who plays. I am trying to take the opportunity but then the manager has to assess how I’m doing,

“I’m happy [for having played again against Tottenham] but we wanted to win. I’m still working and trying to seize the opportunities that the boss is giving me. Every opportunity is invaluable to me and I am trying to give my best.”

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Rounding off the Premier League’s weekend action, Tottenham Hotspur play hosts to London rivals West Ham at 4pm this afternoon.

This fixture always throws up a feisty contest in typical London derby style but there’s even more at stake this year with just one position separating the clubs in the Premier League table.

It looks set to be a classic encounter and the confirmed starting Xis came out around half an hour ago, the biggest talking point being Heung-Min Son’s return to the Spurs line-up in the absence of Erik Lamela – who is both injured and suspended for today’s clash at White Hart Lane.

The South Korea international joined the Tottenham Hotspur ranks this summer, at a cost of £22million, after claiming 21 goals in 62 Bundesliga appearances during two seasons at Bayer Leverkusen.

His Lilywhites career has got off to a decent start, with three goals and one assist from his first seven appearances, but the 23-year-old hasn’t started a match since Spurs’ 4-1 win over Manchester City in September due to a foot injury.

Needless to say, Spurs, West Ham and Premier League fans in general all had their opinions on Son’s return to the starting Xi and duly expressed them on Twitter. Here are some of the best reactions:

An injury crisis in East London over recent months has put somewhat of a dampener on the electric form West Ham had shown during the opening stages of the season.

New boss Slaven Bilic had sculpted a wonderfully exciting side containing the likes of Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini, claiming famous wins at the homes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.

However, a swathe of injuries to the aforementioned players, as well as Andy Carroll, Winston Reid, Victor Moses and Diafra Sakho have slightly the breaks on the rampant Hammers. The recent 0-0 stalemate with Swansea was their third successive bore draw.

While still in contention for a place in the top six, such talk has naturally stalled for now in the wake of such a series of blows. London rivals Crystal Palace are currently parked in the position, though it’s extremely difficult to rule the Irons out once their star performers return to first-team action.

Perhaps some intervention in the January market can help supplement the squad going forward, to help provide some strength and depth to the ranks in an effort to land European football.

With that in mind, here are FIVE January transfers to boost West Ham’s top six hopes…

KEVIN MIRALLAS – (EVERTON)

Belgian winger Kevin Mirallas is reportedly looking to leave Everton this winter in an effort to secure first-team football ahead of Euro 2016. The former Olympiakos man has been one of the star performers on Merseyside over recent seasons, but has lost his place in Roberto Martinez’s young side of late.

Though Victor Moses has been excellent, the Nigerian winger is not a long term option. He signed a four-year deal with Chelsea before moving across London on a temporary basis earlier this summer.

Perhaps moving for Mirallas would be a wise idea. He’s an incisive wide forward, able to get chalk on his boots or cut inside and support the likes of Sakho or Carroll. The 28-year old has a wealth of experience in the top flight and remains a class performer.

He would help round out the squad moving forward while adding a more natural wide option than Payet or Lanzini, as well as cover in a more central attacking position.

EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR – (FREE)

Emmanuel Adebayor has been linked with a move to Upton Park for what seems to be forever, though reports emerged recently that a deal is once again under discussion.

Premier League fans are well aware of the obvious qualities the 31-year old brings to any side, as well as the obvious negatives. However, with both Carroll and Sakho often the subject of injuries, as well as Enner Valencia’s bad luck on that front, the striking burden has fallen to Nikica Jelavic in recent times.

While the Croat forward works tirelessly, it’s clear he is not up to the required standard. A six-month deal for the former Spurs man may be a good idea, as Carroll continues to frustrate on the injury front.

KEISUKE HONDA – (AC MILAN)

Dimitri Payet has been truly marvellous in claret and blue this term and it’s been fantastic to watch how he schemes with Manuel Lanzini and the like. So, why stop there? AC Milan midfielder is the latest big name to be linked with a move to East London.

The 29-year old Japanese attacking midfielder is a silky assist machine, able to be deployed either behind the striker or a wide option. Payet’s energy in winning the ball back and dropping deeper would afford Bilic the chance to field a plethora of attacking stars in the likes of Honda and Lanzini for maximum creativity, without sacrificing too much in the way of defensive diligence.

More and more in the Premier League we are seeing teams deploy a liquid, free flowing frontline rather than the traditional striker. Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Stoke have all used it to good effect this term and the addition of the AC Milan star would help the Hammers replicate such a tactic.

SIMONE ZAZA – (JUVENTUS)

While the aforementioned Adebayor provides a short-term fix, firming up reported interest in Juventus forward Simone Zaza is certainly the opposite of that. While the apparent £21m asking fee is pricey, the Italian international would be a fantastic signing.

Recent struggles in front of goal have no doubt largely come as a result of the unfortunate injuries, though the striking department has room for improvement. Jelavic isn’t good enough, despite his work-rate, and Andy Carroll has struggled to put a good run of games together in a few seasons now.

Zaza would be another cosmopolitan addition at Upton Park, heading into their move to the Olympic Stadium. Though he’s struggled to break the first team in Turin, the 24-year old has technical skill to be marvelled while also retaining the ability to lead the line.

ROLANDO MANDRAGORA – (GENOA)

Genoa’s young midfield star Rolando Mandragora has recently been touted as a potential target heading into the New Year. The 18-year old has impressed on loan at Pescara this term, making 12 appearances as a classy defensive midfielder.

While the Hammers currently have young prodigy Reece Oxford as a hugely exciting prospect in that role, landing the Italian Under-21 star would be a huge statement of intent. Too much pressure can’t be placed on the shoulders of these young stars, but sharing the burden can help both grow at a fine footballing club like West Ham.

Sam Allardyce’s fantasies are an area that none of us really want to delve too deeply in to, but, for the sake of this article, we probably should do.

Sunderland are beginning to show the sort of resilience that could be associated with a side about to make a miraculous recovery and save themselves from the abyss of the Championship. However, a lot of that responsibility seems to be on Jermain Defoe and his track record of finding the net with monotonous regularity.

Failing that, Allardyce needs to address many of his squad’s defence issues and help set his side up for the rest of the campaign to make sure there aren’t quite as many defensive blunders as there have been of late.

The Black Cats have been flirting with relegation for years and ‘Big Sam’ is the man tasked with keeping them away for the drop for one more year…

Could this be the XI to keep them up?

Vito Mannone

Sunderland managers can’t seem to settle on whether Mannone or Costel Pantilimon should take the first choice goalkeeping berth, but the Italian seems to be the better shot stopper.

Jordan Pickford is the other option and the youngster might be able to make the role his own long-term if Mannone and Pantilimon continue to under perform.

Billy Jones

Billy Jones is one of those players that seems to be consistent without pulling up any trees or earning a great deal of credit.

The former Baggies star has kept hold of the right-back spot despite loanee DeAndre Yedlin pushing for a starting place and we can expect that to continue if Big Sam opts for a back four.

Jan Kirchhoff

After one of the worst debuts in Premier League history, this former Bayern Munich defender will hope he can learn pretty quickly how to settle in to Premier League football.

Conceding a penalty and looking like he’s off the pace made for a poor start, but Kirchhoff’s experience should come in handy.

Federico Fazio

With the brilliance of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld’s partnership, Fazio is likely to be looking for a move away from Spurs and the Argentine central defender would be a good addition for Sunderland.

John O’Shea and Wes Brown have consistently shown they aren’t up to playing at Premier League standard any longer and need replacing.

Patrick van Aanholt

This ex-Chelsea youngster has been given greater attacking freedom by Big Sam and has become quite a threat in the opposition’s final third.

As he overlaps, the midfield need to be aware to cover for the Dutchman, but he is quite an asset in this side.

Yann M’Vila

M’Vila signing for the Black Cats on loan was quite a remarkable piece of business and he has shown glimmers of why he has been so highly regarded.

Steve Sidwell

Many will think Lee Cattermole should walk into this Sunderland side, but Steve Sidwell has always been an underrated player in the Stoke midfield and should be utilised by the Black Cats if they can sign him.

Versatile to contribute in both boxes, Sidwell would be a shrewd addition.

Adam Johnson

Despite recent controversy, Johnson is still one of Sunderland’s most creative players and is a regular provider of both goals and assists when the Black Cats are playing well.

Jeremain Lens

Lens was a star in Holland, but has struggled to have the same impact since arriving at Sunderland.

The flying forward’s role needs to be to run at sides and create space for the players like Defoe and Johnson.

Dame N’Doye

Adding N’Doye to the squad might finally mean the end of Fletcher’s time in England, but this striker has a proven goalscoring pedigree and could be a star that keeps Sunderland up.

Jermain Defoe

After his recent hat trick at Swansea, Jermain Defoe is continuing to break records and prove all of those wrong that think he is too old to replicate his own goal scoring heroics.

After successfully seeing off a buoyant Tottenham Hotspur side at the Boleyn Ground, Slaven Bilic’s West Ham United side have managed to keep the positive vibe among West Ham fans burning bright this season, whilst also offering an all-important boost for Leicester City in the 2015/16 title race.

The Upton Park faithful are nonetheless expecting their club to build upon their recent domestic form throughout the course of the upcoming summer transfer window, with thoughts of launching a brand new era of success at London’s Olympic Stadium understandably high on the agenda right in the here and now.

However, as current Chelsea skipper and long-term Stamford Bridge hero – John Terry – has subsequently been linked with a shock move to West Ham in light of his apparent lack of future with the Blues this summer– could the Upton Park faithful really be on the verge of accepting the 35-year-old centre-back as one of their own next season?

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Without wanting to put this particular discussion to bed almost immediately, this is just the kind of surprise transfer rumour that ultimately seems extremely unlikely to materialise in the summer.

West Ham have nonetheless witnessed a number of high profile targets linked with their club with varying degrees of probability in the run up to the much anticipated stadium move next season, but as John Terry isn’t exactly the most revered opposing player to ever make himself known within the East-End’s passionate footballing scene, perhaps this specific transfer possibility actually requires very little analysis.

And for a number of good reasons, too. Although John Terry could go down as the most well-rounded defender of the entire Premier League era for his previous exploits at the back in several seasons past, the 35-year-old centre-back clearly no longer represents the formidable player he once was.

It doesn’t take much to notice Terry’s obvious shortcomings the Premier League, as his inevitable fall from grace in the Premier League has seemingly coincided with Chelsea’s very own lack of form throughout the 2015/16 campaign. Whilst the former England captain still carries a fairly well established reputation under his belt at this particular stage in his career, John Terry represents more of a liability than anything else nowadays.

Had Slaven Bilic and his ever impressive West Ham outfit fallen victim to a defensive crisis of sorts at the back this season, then perhaps someone of Terry’s invaluable experience and know-how could have been considered by the Hammers board as a possible temporary option at the very least. As each of James Collins, Angelo Ogbonna, Winston Reid and James Tomkins have nonetheless been in fine form for their club in 2015/16 however, there is ultimately very little need for such a controversial notion to ever come into play.

Put in no uncertain terms whatsoever, John Terry’s current relationship with the Stamford Bridge faithful has seemingly painted him out as something close to a ‘pantomime villain’ among the Upton Park support for a consecutive number of years now. The Hammers fan-base would never likely accept such a player on the basis of his prior interaction with their club, even if Terry began his youth career under the guidance of the West Ham academy many moons ago.

As the player in question will likely receive several healthy offers from across the global footballing scene this summer, the thought of John Terry turning out in West Ham colours next term simply remains as unimaginable as it’s ever been when all is said and done.

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Arsenal fans have been through frustrating times. They have seen talented wingers like Marc Overmars, Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pires all tear apart Premier League and European defences, but now those sights are distant memories. The Gunners haven’t had that level of quality on their wings since, with fans now having to settle for Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Joel Campbell.

Though all of them have shown glimpses of their talent, they aren’t at the level of quality of their predecessors, and don’t have the understanding or consistency of the Swede and the Frenchman.

With rumours that Arsene Wenger could be leaving at the end of the season, and that Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain could be sold, this could finally be the time that Arsenal fans had hoped for: a time where change could be about to take place. But who should be brought in to help this wing revolution? Here are FIVE options…

Riyad Mahrez

A player within the Premier League that has been linked to Arsenal is Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez. Mahrez has had a great season for the Foxes, in which he’s helped the club climb from the threat of relegation to a title challenge within a year. With 16 goals and 11 assists in 30 games, Mahrez has really contributed, and would do well at Arsenal.

Sadio Mane

Southampton’s Sadio Mane this season has struggled for consistency, but that has mainly been down to a summer where he was linked with big teams. Five goals and six assists in 30 matches is hardly great form, but considering what he showed in his debut season he would be well worth the risk for Arsenal. Considering he can play on the wing or up front, he would be the ideal signing for the Gunners.

Lucas Moura

With the signing most likely to be from outside the Premier League, PSG’s Lucas Moura could be an ideal candidate. Since the sale of Ezequiel Lavezzi to China, Moura has been given the chance to shine in Paris and at the age of 23, he still has a long career ahead of him. With six goals and four assists in 29 games, he is starting to become the player many thought he would be. Though a move would be a risk, Arsenal could really make him the finished product.

Michail Antonio

If it is a cost effective player they are looking for, then they can look no further than London. Michail Antonio has burst onto the scene this season for West Ham after joining from Nottingham Forest, with six goals and two assists in 18 games for the Hammers. Considering English wingers are hard to come by, a move to the Gunners could benefit both parties: Arsenal get a quality player, and Antonio strengthens his chances of getting an England cap.

Kingsley Coman

One dream player for Emirates fan is Juventus’ Kingsley Coman. The Frenchman, currently on loan at Bayern Munich, has taken the league by storm and forced himself into the French national side. With four goals and five assists in 20 games, he is an exciting prospect to watch, and given that no transfer has been put in place, Arsenal can live in hope that they could prise him away.

When clubs qualify for the Champions League, as second-place Tottenham Hotspur are set to this season, it often gives them access to a higher bracket of the transfer market – players of immense quality who are only interested in playing in Europe’s top tournament.

Whether the Lilywhites will take advantage of that to the fullest extent this summer remains to be seen. Daniel Levy has been burnt in the transfer market before, most notably in summer 2013 as the club tried to fill the void of Gareth Bale with a £100million-plus spending spree.

Indeed, Spurs’ transfer model since has followed a pattern of predominantly young signings arriving at unspectacular cost and it’s hard to argue with the results. Yet, the north Londoners could still stick to those principles this summer whilst applying them to higher end of the transfer market, with Champions League football (or potentially even the Premier League title) remaining a key incentive.

With that in mind and the summer transfer window just around the corner, here are FIVE young superstars we think Tottenham should target.

MARIO GOTZE

Liverpool and former club Borussia Dortmund are the clubs most commonly linked with Mario Gotze, but I think Tottenham have a pretty good chance of sealing the Bayern Munich star’s services this summer as well.

The German international is perhaps best famed for netting the winner in the 2014 World Cup final, but he’s seriously suffered at club level over the last few years and most particularly this season, struggling for both fitness and form.

Verging upon the final twelve months of his Allianz Arena contract, the Bundesliga champions look set to sell this summer and the 23-year-old is certainly in need of a new home – reviving a career that once had him amongst the most exciting youngsters in world football whilst at Westfalenstadion.

Gotze can operate as an attacking midfielder, a winger or a striker, so I’m sure Mauricio Pochettino can find room for his talent in the starting Xi. In terms of price tag, £20million is certainly the right ball-park.

OUSMANE DEMBELE

Ousmane Dembele may not be a superstar just yet but if the first few months of his career are anything to go by, it won’t be long until the Rennes sensation is up there with the most exciting attackers in world football.

Indeed, since making his senior debut in November, the 18-year-old has amassed twelve goals and five assists in 20 Ligue 1 outings – whilst averaging the joint-most dribbles per match of any player involved in Europe’s five leading top flights alongside Barcelona star Neymar.

That has seen pretty much every major Premier League club – including Spurs – linked with the France U21 in recent weeks, whilst Barcelona are believed to have seen a £27million transfer bid rejected, so he looks set to enter the coming window as one of world football’s hottest commodities.

Champions League football next season, coupled with Mauricio Pochettino’s reputation of bringing the best out of young players, could see the Lilywhites win the race for the prodigious winger’s signature.

SERGE AURIER

Tottenham are already well-endowed in the right-back department and many will rightly question why Mauricio Pochettino should look to change a backline that has helped the Lilywhites concede the fewest goals of any Premier League side this season.

Nonetheless, Serge Aurier is a top talent and having spent the last two months in exile following some incredibly derogatory public remarks aimed at his PSG team-mates and manager Laurent Blanc, appears almost certain to be sold in the coming transfer window.

The Ivory Coast international’s form before his internal suspension was nothing short of phenomenal, grabbing two goals and two assists in 19 Ligue 1 appearances whilst averaging 3.9 tackles, 3.6 interceptions and 1.2 successful dribbles per match.

Still just 23 years of age, Aurier has an enormous future ahead of him and Spurs would be wise the capitalise on the ambiguity over his future this summer.

ILKAY GUNDOGAN

It seems inevitable Ilkay Gundogan will leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season, having allowed his contract to enter its final twelve months for the second summer in a row, and barring a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid (which seems unlikely) the Premier League represents his most plausible next destination.

The German international is famed for his energy and style on the ball, which should see him acclimatise quickly to the Mauricio Pochettino philosophy, and has been in typically good form this season, averaging 1.5 tackles, 2.2 interceptions, 2.3 successful dribbles and 1 created chance per match.

Of course, the 25-year-old has eyes for the biggest clubs in world football and recent speculation has suggested a link-up with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, whilst a Jurgen Klopp reunion at Liverpool is another popular tabloid theory.

But Gundogan would suit the style of play at White Hart Lane perfectly and the offer of Champions League football – in comparison to Liverpool or mooted suitors Manchester United, for example – gives the Lilywhites a decent chance in the race for his signature.

ALVARO MORATA

Tottenham Hotspur lack a viable back-up option to Harry Kane and that will surely be one of Mauricio Pochettino’s first ports of call in the transfer market this summer. Although he might cost a pretty penny – potentially as much a £40million – Alvaro Morata remains an incredibly strong candidate.

The Spain international is not the most prolific of goalscorers, netting just 25 times in 87 appearances since signing for Juventus in summer 2014, but does have a knack of scoring incredibly important goals – including five in Europe last season that took the Old Lady to the Champions League final.

Spurs have been linked with the 23-year-old before and famed for his mobility, height and power, he seems like a pretty good fit for the physical rigours of Premier League football.

Not a guaranteed starter at Juventus despite the aforementioned, many are tipping Morata to move on this summer. But whether he’d be interested in serving as Harry Kane’s understudy remains to be seen and as previously mentioned, he could set the Lilywhites back a club-record sum.

How many players in the past have jumped ship to a bigger club and seen their career go pear shaped?

With all of the speculation concerning Jamie Vardy’s Leicester future, what needs to be kept in mind, is the fact that all of this circus is based on one season.

You have to admit that it was a great season for the ex-Fleetwood Town man, but it is one star studded campaign that has led to the Premier League title, Champions League qualification and a chance to play for England in a major competition, but it is still one year.

24 league goals and runner-up to top scoring Spurs man, Harry Kane, is undeniably no mean feat and in the world of fairytale seasons, it’s such a story, no wonder Hollywood loves it.

However, next year will be one that defines just how good Vardy is, and maybe for now the Foxes poacher needs to cement his stock at the King Power Stadium, albeit, this might be his only chance to join a bigger team at 29.

Here are FIVE reasons for Vardy to consider staying with the champions…

Champions League football

Surely one of the most important competitions that any player would want to be involved in? To go in as a champion of your own league adds status, although there will be some snobbery as Leicester are not traditionally a Champions League side. If you move to a club not in the Champions League, then that doesn’t make sense, so stay where you are guaranteed the next tier of football and a first-team slot every game. Leicester have the opportunity to shake up the CL, as they are complete unknowns and will stick to their soak-up-the-pressure-and-then-counter-attack style of play.

Leicester Are Winners

It was reported that Vardy’s representatives had virtually concluded a deal two weeks ago with West Ham. The Hammers were willing to trigger the release clause and pay £105,000 a week for the Leicester man, but apparently the players agent then came back and demanded £140,000 a week.

West Ham said no thanks.

Now Arsenal are looking to pay Vardy a vast weekly wage over three years, but what is being forgotten is that West Ham haven’t won anything and neither have Arsenal. The Gunners always shoot themselves in the foot and end up runners-up, but at least they do have the Champions League. Leicester are champions and will probably come in with a counter offer that should make the player want to remain with the winners, not the also-rans. Why would you leave a winning team?

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Hero status

Vardy has gone from ‘Jamie, who?’, to being a cult hero, and while he is worshipped at Leicester, why would he then move to establish himself all over again? Whatever Vardy does now, whatever happens to the goalscoring feats for next year, he will be forgiven because of what he’s achieved last season. He will do no wrong, but he won’t get the same adulation or forgiveness anywhere else. It’s better sometimes to stay where you are and become a legend.

The grass Isn’t Always Greener

The lure of a bigger club and bigger money have sent other players tumbling into obscurity in the past because, often, that big move becomes an anchor you can never shake off. Maybe Leicester are his level, the players are a team rather individuals and he ‘fits’ with the Foxes, whereas elsewhere, he would become a smaller fish in a larger pond.

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Comfort Zone

Comfort zones can be a double edged sword. Critics will say that to stay at a club could be a sign of a lack of ambition or it could be that actually the player is entirely comfortable with the playing style, the other players and has the freedom to play his best football. The team know each other and Vardy knows where to be to receive the ball, as the team knows where to put the ball for him to score.

The manager and the fans love him, the club want him  stay and the next season could be good again within a familiar environment. If he stays at Leicester, they will play to his strengths, elsewhere, he may have to adapt – if he can.

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Manchester United have agreed terms with Paul Pogba and are set to pay a world record €120m (£102.5m) for the Juventus midfielder this summer, according to Tancredi Palmeri.The Red Devils have been active in the transfer market already this window, with the arrival of Jose Mourinho as manager having paved the way for deals for Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.WANT MORE? >>ÂManchester United transfer newsÂ|ÂLatest transfer newsIn his opening press conference as the Red Devils’ boss, ‘Mou’ suggested that he has four transfer targetsÂin mind, with Pogba seemingly the last of this quartet.Widespread reports over the past few days have claimed that the midfielder, who will represent his home nation in EURO 2016 semi-final action this evening, is closing in on a dramatic return to the club he left as a youngster in 2012, and Italian journalist, Palmeri, has taken to Twitter to claim the deal is effectively ‘done’:“All confirmed: Manchester United reached agreement with Pogba for 13m€ wages per year and will bid 120m€.â€Palmeri went on to reveal that the total figure Man United will be paying, including fees to his agent, will reach €145m (£123.5m), while he annual salary will be three times greater than that he earns at Juventus:“Note: if Manchester United finalise the deal, then will break any record paying Pogba 145m€ (120 to Juve + 25 to agent).“Pogba wages at Manchester United would be approximately treble than what he earns at Juventus.â€Pogba, 23, is widely hailed as the best midfielder in his age range on the planet.

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Plenty of Hammers fans were holding their breath on Saturday night, as they waited to discover the fate of Aaron Cresswell, who was stretchered off the field in a pre-season game against German side Karlsruher.

The young defender has been one of the most consistent performers for West Ham over the last two seasons and is fast becoming one of the best left backs in the league.

Now, the news has broken that the 26-year old will be out of action for four months minimum. With no cover at Cresswell’s position, Slaven Bilic will be forced into the transfer market to look for short term alternatives.

Fortunately for the Croatian manager, there are a number of fantastic options available at left back.

Here are five players that West Ham should consider when trying to replace Aaron Cresswell…

Jordan Amavi

A bright spark in what was a dismal season for Aston Villa, Jordan Amavi performed well in the short time he had in the first team at Villa Park last season before succumbing to injury.

The 22-year-old was a revelation in his native France and is thought to be a fantastic prospect. Amavi would be an astute short term replacement for Cresswell, with his lightning speed going forward and instinctual defending.

Andrew Robertson

One of the Championship’s best players last season, young Andrew Robertson has been the subject of interest from a number of Premier League suitors but remains with Hull as they get ready for their season back in the top flight.

The former SPFA Young Player of the Year is a phenomenal prospect at left-back, providing a dangerous offensive threat from deep combined with superb defensive abilities.

At just 22, Robertson would provide long term competition for Cresswell upon his return.

Jonas Hector

The standout full-back at Euro 2016, Jonas Hector has fast made a name for himself and is reportedly wanted by a number of Premier League clubs, including Liverpool.

The 26-year old is, first and foremost, and excellent defender but is also a sublime crosser of the ball and provided a number of assists for his current club Koln last season.

Hector would be a real coup for the Hammers but would likely want guarantees as to first team football even when Cresswell returns to full fitness.

Francois Moubandje

One of the most improved players in Ligue 1, Toulouse’s Francios Moubandje impressed with his consistent performances and attacking threat from the left.

The 26-year-old has forced his way into the Swiss national team, an impressive feat considering the outstanding Ricardo Rodriguez holds down the left back position for his country.

Moubandje would likely be available for a modest fee and would likely accept competition for his place once Aaron Cresswell returns from injury.

Kieran Gibbs

Lengthy injuries and the form of Nacho Monreal restricted Keiran Gibbs to just 15 league appearance for Arsenal last season, his lowest total since 2011.

With Monreal set to start the new season as first choice left back at the Emirates, Gibbs may want to look for another challenge to re-ignite his once promising career.

West Ham would be the ideal destination for the 26-year-old. Gibbs would likely flourish in a Slaven Bilic system, especially if he is given license to roam the left wing using his searing pace.