Wednesday 21 June 2017 10:59, UK
Mark Noble is keen for West Ham to get active in the transfer market and add more big names to their squad ahead of the 2017-18 season.
The Hammers have so far managed to add Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta to their ranks and have been linked with a move for Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud.
Werder Bremen striker Max Kruse is also a reported target for Slaven Bilic, and the Hammers could bring in City goalkeeper Joe Hart on loan if he is unable to find a permanent move this summer.
But Noble knows there has to be some patience from the squad, and West Ham's fans, given the competitive nature of the market.
Speaking on Tuesday as the Hammers launched their new home kit for 2017/18, Noble told Sky Sports News HQ: "I think we need to get a few in. I'm sure the chairman is working tirelessly to get them in but this market is so hard.
"Players are so expensive now and you get priced out. We're competing with so many other teams to get the players we want."
Zabaleta made more than 200 appearances in his eight years with City and Noble feels he will bring some vital experience to the London Stadium.
He added: "He's an all-round good fella. It's going to be a change for him because he's used to having the ball for 70 or 80 per cent of the game.
"I've spoken to him on text already and he's really keen to meet the lads in pre-season."
Noble is already back in training after an injury-plagued second half of 2016-17 which necessitated a post-season hernia operation.
He said: "I knew I had the hernias February time and me and the physios took it on ourselves not to say anything until the club was safe.
"It kept getting worse and worse and I went to see the surgeon before the Spurs game (May 5, his last game of season) and he said 'it's urgent now, you need to have an operation.'
"Then we beat Spurs and were mathematically safe so it all worked out well."
