I DIDN’T KNOW where to look this morning. Every news outlet I scanned gave me a different name and a different bid for the next West Ham striker. Reading, researching and contemplating for a while gave me a chance to assess each in terms of credibility, likelihood and value for money.
Whilst the Hammers obviously have a bigger budget than the ‘austerity reports’ of £50-odd million from last month, some of the rumours do seem to disqualify themselves in terms of sheer price levels.
Footballfancast claims that the Irons have submitted a bid in the region of £15 million for 21 year-old striker David Datro Fofana from Chelsea – fans may remember he scored one against us (who didn’t, last year!) whilst on loan at Burnley.
Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran is reported by several sources as being under negotiation with our latest bid around £35 million, still not enough for Villa. Certainly ticks a lot of boxes in terms of style of play, age at 20 and ‘potential’ for the future but at £35 million you’d hope to buy more than potential!
The Athletic reports that Lopetegui’s style this season will be very much a lone striker operation, and other sources seem to have linked this with a move for Elye Wahi (who will, irritatingly, forever be corrected to ‘Else What‘ by my Mac) but I couldn’t find anything substantial to link the Lens striker with a move to West Ham.
Ivan Toney quoted at £50 million appears in several clubs’ rumour columns – I know we have mentioned him on C and H earlier today but that seems as exciting or indeed as likely as the perennial links with Newcastle’s Callum Wilson or – yawn – Youssuf En-Nesyri.
Boy will that paragraph age badly if we do end up with one of those three.
Georges Mikautadze Could still be one of the outsiders in the race: Having come to everyone’s notice with goals in Euro 24, the 23 year-old pacy Georgian was linked with a move to East London early in the window. He was reported to be ‘on the cusp’ of a move to Monaco on 8th July but nothing concrete has followed. By the time this piece is published there will probably be new names linked so we will be keeping on top of them for you.
If I ever made money from backing a hunch I’d put a tenner on Jhon Duran from Villa: Probably because I can’t remove my own personal opinions from my writing, and I’d just love to see him smashing them in like Antonio in his prime. That’s probably another tenner wasted but still safer than betting on players getting yellow cards any more!
I can see why we would want a very young player such as Duran. Obviously talented, young, plenty of potential, plus a possibility of very big sell on. But he also seems a very risky option. Relatively unproven, and IF reports are true, a bit of a nutcase! If his tantrums are purely down to not getting game time at Villa, and we plan on having him as our number one striker, then it might not be a problem. But it seems Lopetegui is a bit of a disciplinarian, as is Unai Emery, and so, it could mean friction. I’m not convinced Duran is the right signing.
To be fair, from all of the strikers linked, En Nesyri is the only one that makes sense. Proven at the highest level, knows how to play in a Lopetegui team, and very cheap
I’d settle for the wisow t****y cos even that’s better than Antonio or ings right now. Neither of them have west ham in their heart ings never did and whilst Antonio did he is now fostering his next life doing his podcast with Wilson. But i guess it has a political ring to it. Harold Wilson Antonio Wilson sounds so similar doesnt it.
Has to be Jonathan David, best of the bunch and a fair price
David is not good enough. Too lightweight, not a prolific scorer.
Still hoping it’s Jonathan David 🇨🇦 He might be wanted by so called bigger clubs, but that’s even more reason to give it our’ best shot. Release clause inserted and aim high for J-Lo’s first 2 seasons in charge.
Ineanacho would be a good backup signing if we had European football. Other than that I don’t see him getting much game time at the present. He doesn’t fit the Steidten model of bringing in up and coming talent with a decent sell on value. Ineanacho would feel more like a fall back where all of our other targets didn’t come to fruition.
Paul Taylor so you would want ineanacho to be our main striker after all the bad buys we’ve made before now? Let’s support Lopetegui and buy Duran and wahi and end the striker debate completely.COYI
We should secure Duran and wahi from lens they are both quality young improving players with great potential and resale value.
Good summary, lot’s of noise and dragging on as usual not entirely sure what or who to believe but let’s all hope our quest for Antonio’s heir is resolved soon without further dispute following Haller, Scamacca etc. What a relief it will be to finally have a settled, happy, youngish and hopefully, talented goal scorer to lead our attack along side Bowen, Kudus etc but no doubt whom ever it is he won’t be cheap! Maybe a free transfer could be a compromise though – who knows!
Could be a ‘free’ or loan would be a useful back up – we’d all welcome that as long as there is a purchase too.