Six to fit the back-up Irons striker role

West Ham face no shortage of possible back-up strikers after admitting this is the one area they are currently looking to fill before the transfer window closes.

With Andy Carroll again injured and the defensive and midfield reinforcements now in place a striker is the one option the are currently trying to sort out.

And by the usual standards there are a number of front men going into the last year of their contract who could be available on a loan or permanent basis.

Mario Ballotelli has often been mentioned but the 27 year old Nice striker would probably expect regular first team football and comes with plenty of baggage of course. The well respected Transfermarkt website values him at around £21 million.

Danny Wellbeck is another who could fit the bill but has had his fair share of injury worries and is priced at £13 million.

Daniel Sturridge is another with injury troubles galore in the past but the Liverpool striker carries a valuation of £13.5m

Fedor Smolev was on the Hammers radar last season and is a smaller nippier type who could appeal to Manuel Pellegrini from Kranandor at around £12 million.

Sam Vokes is avaialable from Burnley at around £5 million but is not a serious option after managing just four goals in 30 PL appearances last term.

Fernando Llorento at 33 years old enters the last year of his Spurs contract but he managed just one goal from 15 games in the PL last season  although he grabbed a hat-trick against Rochdale in the FA Cup and found the net against Apoel Nicosia in the Champions League. £6 million.

Then of course there is Wilfried Bony 🙂