West Ham manager Sam Allardyce’s admission that he wants a new striker this summer has been described as a “haunting scenario” by sources inside Upton Park.
For as the club battles to finally secure Premier League safety at West Bromwich Albion today (Saturday) the spectre of loaned-out forward Modibo Maiga’s return next term remains a big worry to club insiders.
The £5 million flop is now totally surplus to requirements at the club and Harry Redknapp’s Queens Park Rangers won’t be making any move to make his deal permanent after seeing him fail to make any impact during his 93 day loan.
Allardyce has said he sees a new striker as a priority admitting he would like someone in the Luis Suarez mould.
But a source at the club – speaking exclusively to ClaretandHugh – said there will be much tighter control over who does and doesn’t arrive following the Maiga disaster.
He revealed: “We are moving heaven and earth to find a club for Modibo – he cost us around £5 million and we can’t just pay him off. That would cost around £4m and is just bad business. It’s a haunting scenario to be honest
“However, we are hopeful that we can find a club for him. It’s in his interests to move on at this stage of his career.
“We accept that a minimal transfer fee would be involved or the alternative may be a loan spell somewhere for the season!
“There will be a tighter control over new arrivals this summer, we really can’t afford anymore mistakes.”
Another player who has disappointed since his arrival at the club has been winger Matt Jarvis for an undisclosed fee which at the time was a club record.
He too has failed to impress and he club will consider offers if there is interest this summer”
