David Moyes has added Coventry’s Viktor Gyokeres to his wanted list seeing him as a natural heir to Michail Antonio who looks set on leaving the club this summer.
And the player is already aware of the interest and ready to leave the Championship outfit as he heads into the last year of his deal
With the window opening today the West Ham manager would do well to move quickly as interest in the player is growing grows among Premier League clubs.
He scored 24 goals in 59 appearances at various levels last season and 18 in 49 the season before and would be a very typical Moyes signing from the lower division. He is also a front man who is happy in the lone striker role.
Gyokeres has been speaking to Swedish website fotbollskanalen, and says that he is aware of interest, including that from West Ham and has even asked Coventry to allow him a move .
Gyokeres on Hammers wanted list
The player was very frank in his comments on the situation making it clear that he wants out of the Championship club saying:
“I only have one year left on the contract, so considering that, it’s quite a lot,” Gyokeres said.
“There are a number of clubs that are interested and Coventry surely want what they want. Then you have to take it accordingly and see when the club feels satisfied. But I hope that the club can also think about what I want and what I feel for, and not just about who pays the most…
“I hope you can cooperate now that the season is over and that you don’t just think about the money, but think about me and my career…
“I have been there and had two good seasons and feel like trying something new now. I hope it can be resolved.”
Having watched Gyokeres a fair bit last season, I think that he would be a good fit for us, not simply to be an Antonio clone but a striker with ability, intelligence, pace and with a real hunger and desire. Scamacca may have bundles of talent but I don’t believe that he has shown the desire and work ethic required of any Premier League striker no matter the club. Gyokeres has it by the bucketload and would be a great purchase imho.
Antonio has seemed to want out for some time and I’m not sure exactly where he would go after leaving us. But I have a feeling that his reasons for wanting to leave have a fair bit to do with his realisation that his status as the number one striker at this club, has come to an end at 33 years old and I guess that he wants to be the master of his own destiny.