Slaven Bilic says that he doesn't expect to introduce any new big names to his squad ahead of the new season - but admits that he has the capacity to do so.
West Ham's acquisition of four key players this summer - Joe Hart, Marko Arnautovic, Pablo Zabaleta and Javier Hernandez - may have turned heads across the nation but haven't necessarily exhausted Bilic's transfer budget.And for that reason, the manager is refusing to rule out making at least one more big signing - despite playing down the chances of it happening.
"I don’t expect any more ‘exciting’ signings because you don’t want to be overbooked in certain positions, he told West Ham's website. "You have to respect your players and those who are number two, because you don’t want them to be number three in their position.
"You only need them in case you have many, many injuries, but of course you can’t think like that. If something extraordinary happens? It can happen because we’ve done really well without spending crazy money.
"We got four players; one on a free [Zabaleta], Joe [Hart] on loan, we spent good money on Chicharito and [Marko] Arnautovic. But also Havard [Nordtveit] is gone to Hoffenheim, Randy has gone, Enner [Valencia] has gone to Mexico and Ash [Fletcher] to Middlesbrough.
"I presume if something extraordinary happens in the market, then hopefully we’re still going to be able to do it, if necessary."
Bilic also hinted that any further arrivals are likely to come AFTER the new season has started - with those not considered part of their club's starting XI likely to be under particular scrutiny.
"It’s pre-season and it’s the same in every club – they train brilliantly and they are all hoping they are going to play and be starters," he added. "Then some players will notice that they are not regulars, so maybe a few of them will not be happy and ask for a move.
"We’ve got to be ready for that. You have to expect these things to happen in every club. When it happens, you have to be ready with some players that are interesting for us and who are not going to be regulars at their clubs."
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