- West Ham are preparing for life in the Championship
- The Hammers are interested in Leyton Orient’s Dom Ballard
- Ballard was the top scorer in League One last season
West Ham United may have lots of off field problems yet to rectify, but the club are trying to plan for their first season in the Championship for 14 years.
Nuno Espirito Santo knows the Hammers have to raise £150 million this summer and that players will leave in due course. With this in mind, West Ham are targeting a mixture of young EFL talent that can break into the Premier League, and Championship experience to balance the team.
With a number of players already on the radar of the Irons, a new one has been added to list with some serious pedigree in League One.
West Ham interested in Dom Ballard
According to the Daily Mail, West Ham are among a number of team’s interested in Leyton Orient’s Dom Ballard.
The 21-year-old striker joined Orient from Southampton last season and went on to be League One’s top scorer, despite his club side having a poor season, staying up right at the death.
Dom Ballard’s 2025/26 West Ham Statistics
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 44 | 23 | 4 |
The young striker scored 23 goals in the league and with Orient’s position, many expect the team to cash in with a number of teams already preparing a move for the player, including West Ham.
Ballard represents the shift in tactic for the Hammers as they look at young EFL talent, rather than ready made top-flight players. The move is hoped to save costs whilst building a team that can not only get promoted, but be ready to learn and grow when the Irons get there.
