“Fortunes always hiding,” sing the West Ham fans at every Hammers game, but maybe not for much longer, as their fortunes begin to ascend to bigger and better.
The board’s own ambitions are now beginning to germinate at team level although they are still not in the same league financially as the top four or five.
Leicester have proved beyond doubt that anything is possible and now maybe West Ham fans need to let themselves dream that better times are heading for the East London club.
The signings that were made last summer, between the board and Bilic, were shrewd and have paid off when you consider the unheard of talents of Payet, Lanzini and Antonio and the emergence of Ogbonna as Italy’s centre half.
The next level is always tricky. Bilic has harmony within the squad and the balance that makes West Ham tick.
Who could West Ham recruit that will add rather than detract and that can enable them to regularly challenge the top four?
Here are five potential blockbuster signings the Hammers should target…
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
West Ham were looking into the possibility of bringing the Swede to the Olympic Park long before Manchester United had begun to take interest.
It was a sign of ambition, a sign of intent and a marquee signing to beat most. It is truly unlikely that Zlatan will want to move to West Ham, but stranger things have happened.
The man is a marmite figure. His arrogance and swagger cause many to dislike him, but he is a winner. At 34-years-old, he still has a knack for goals and his trophy cabinet at home is full of medals that point to a man that brings success whichever league he plays in.
If you are looking for a top signing, look no further.
Mario Gotze
Gotze appears to be having a tough time of late and was often overlooked by Bayern Munich last season.
With Kingsley Coman and now Renato Sanches ahead of the ex-Dortmund player, it looks as though the Munich club are preparing for life without the Germany international.
Liverpool were said to be in the hunt, but that has gone quiet. In the Euros, Gotze seems uneasy in Loew’s false number nine position. This is a player of incredible guile and creative talent.
It seems obvious that he will need a move away to rejuvenate a stalling career, added to which Bilic and the West Ham fans will give him the love that this players needs to feel.
Yaya Toure
Almost certainly, Toure’s career at Manchester City is over with the arrival of Guardiola.
The Ivory Coast midfielder is a complete and versatile midfielder, who can play in several midfield positions and regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world.
His strengths lie in his passing range, vision, and physical ability. He is gifted with good technique and ball control, although he also excels defensively at breaking down opposing attacking plays and winning back possession through his powerful tackling ability.
Nolito
The Celta Vigo winger is available and his release clause is just £13.8m.
Manchester City reportedly are pursuing the Spain international, but it was West Ham who jumped in first.
The 29-year-old, who is on duty with his country at Euro 2016, has yet to decide his future, with his former club Barcelona also interested in him.
Alexandre Lacazette
The on-off transfer saga continues unabated.
If The Hammers were able to land such a stellar striker, it would surely herald a new beginning for West Ham and send out the right kind of message to other potential recruits.
The player is said to want to play in the Champions League, although West Ham can at least offer European football and providing Payet stays, the striker has a player that he admires on the team.