“Just Pay The Money” | The Only Striker That Makes Sense For West Ham

With West Ham in the middle of what feels like a predictable striker injury crisis, I’ve found myself looking at the names we’re being linked with — though if I’m honest, it’s mostly been with disinterest… until today.

Without going full Goldilocks and the Three Bears about it — Samu Omorodion feels too unrealistic, Emmanuel Dennis too irrelevant, and Joshua Zirkzee doesn’t score enough goals.

However, there was something ‘just right’ about the link with Ivan Toney, who is currently earning bucketloads of cash in Saudi Arabia.

Toney Ticks All the Boxes

The former Brentford striker scored 30 goals in the Saudi Pro League last season. As the second-highest scorer, he won’t be easy to prise away. That said, there are reasons to be hopeful for West Ham, because Toney — so we’re told — wants to return to the EPL to boost his chances of getting back into the England squad.

Ollie Watkins’ collision with the Wembley goalpost against Wales showed just how fragile Thomas Tuchel’s frontline is. There’s no doubt the England boss would welcome Toney back to the Premier League with open arms.

As for West Ham, we simply must recruit players to stand any chance of staying in the top flight. More importantly, the 29-year-old suits Nuno Espirito Santo’s style perfectly. The Hammers are in the last-chance saloon — and so is David Sullivan, whose stock is at an all-time low. If the Irons chairman thinks he’s unpopular now, he ain’t seen nothing yet if the club go down.

Therefore, he’ll have to back Nuno in January. Out of all the strikers linked with West Ham, Toney is the only one who truly makes sense. He’s a guaranteed goalscorer, plays well with his back to goal, offers a predatory threat in the box, and is excellent in the air.

Sure, he’ll be pricey — but not nearly as expensive as relegation.