Julen Lopetegui is eagerly anticipating the closure of the summer transfer window, with the West Ham manager firmly believing it should end before the Premier League season begins.The Hammers have signed eight new players this summer, but now face the challenge of offloading some to maintain squad balance and ensure compliance with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability (PSR) regulations.Kurt Zouma is one player who could depart the London Stadium, while Maxwel Cornet, Nayef Aguerd, and Danny Ings might also be on their way out.”Until the market closes, there’s still uncertainty over who might come in or leave,” Lopetegui, the former Spain manager, said on Thursday.”We have to adapt to this situation, but the competition is fierce. We’ve been integrating the new players, and now we need to balance the squad and remain competitive.”##NAJAVA_MECA_8284411##The 57-year-old Spaniard, who has previously managed Real Madrid, Sevilla, and Wolves, emphasized that the ongoing uncertainty is unsettling for his players.”Once the window closes, I think the players can fully focus, but right now we have to adapt,” he noted. “I would definitely prefer the market to be closed before the season starts.”Last weekend, Lopetegui handed full debuts to Max Kilman and Guido Rodriguez, while new signings Niclas Füllkrug, Crysencio Summerville, and Jean-Clair Todibo made appearances off the bench in a season-opening defeat to Aston Villa.West Ham will now face Crystal Palace, who suffered a 2-1 loss to Brentford, in the first round of the campaign.”Villa is behind us, and we need to look ahead,” Lopetegui remarked. “We have another significant challenge against Crystal Palace, but we believe in our abilities and must demonstrate our strengths, both with and without the ball, in a tough stadium.”Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who joined West Ham from Manchester United earlier this month, could make his full debut against his former club, Crystal Palace.🗣️ “We have to be ready!”West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui says he is preparing his side for a ‘big challenge’ ahead of their match with Crystal Palace ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/QLzplqLrZB— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 22, 2024
