West Ham United summer transfer dossier: Andy Carroll replacement a priority for Sam Allardyce's successor

With Sam Allardyce's exit from West Ham for so long having a feeling of inevitability about it, no matter how nicely nestled the Upton Park club have been in mid-table in the Premier League, you would hope the club have planned for the summer.

Though a new manager is not yet in place at the time of writing, co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan will likely have a strict budget to give the new boss, particularly ahead of the move to the Olympic Stadium. Staying in the top flight is a must, unnecessary expenditure is unwanted.

Business so far

Confirmation that Allardyce's contract would not be renewed beyond the end of the season came just minutes after the final day defeat to Newcastle. On the playing staff, Carlton Cole, Guy Demel, Jussi Jaaskelainen and Nene have been told they can leave, while Dan Potts is among the young players to be shown the door. Though without a new boss, Stephen Hendrie has arrived from Hamilton Academical and Darren Randolph will sign on a free transfer from Birmingham City.

What they need

It goes without saying that a permanent manager is the priority for the powers that be at Upton Park, and only then can the club's transfer business begin in earnest. As far as the first team squad is concerned, finding replacements for loanees Carl Jenkinson and Alex Song, who have returned to Arsenal and Barcelona respectively, is a must. However, addressing the injury problems suffered by all of the Hammers' front-line, including Andy Carroll, who has not played since January, is perhaps the greatest concern.

Who could join

There is no shortage in the strikers who have been linked with moves to east London. Claudio Beauvue and Javier Hernandez are the most likely candidates to lead the West Ham attack from next season but the truth is the rumour mill will only intensify once a new manager is in place.

Who could leave

Despite being constantly injured, Carroll continues to be linked with a move back to Newcastle United as West Ham look to recoup some of the £15m they paid Liverpool for his services in 2013. The greatest concern for the club is the future surrounding player of the year Aaron Cresswell, who is a target for Chelsea, while Enner Valencia – the most impressive of the foreign summer recruits – has also been linked with west London.

What the manager has said

In the absence of a manager to talk up West Ham's transfer plans, co-owner David Gold took to Twitter to claim that the club were looking to make as many as five new signings. "If you recall I said there will be at least 5 new faces that is still the case," he said.