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West Ham’s January Striker Hunt Hits Snags Amid Injury and Price Hurdles

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Seventeen days into the January transfer window, and West Ham are still no closer to finalising a deal for a striker.

Before fans go into meltdown, it’s worth remembering that the window doesn’t close until 3rd February. Most clubs haven’t concluded any business yet, with the last couple of weeks typically seeing most transfers finalised.

Having written about Rodrigo Muniz yesterday, Martin confirmed later in the day that Fulham’s manager, Marco Silva, did not want to entertain any offers for the Brazilian squad player.

Similarly, Manchester United are reluctant to loan Marcus Rashford to another Premier League club.

Brighton striker Evan Ferguson is currently injured, though both Danny Welbeck and Joao Pedro have returned to first-team action. This leaves a slim chance of a loan deal being concluded near the end of the window—subject to the player’s fitness.

Lille are playing a high-risk strategy, demanding a hefty transfer fee from interested clubs, which is scuppering any move for Canadian international Jonathan David. His agents are also making unrealistic demands. The player is reportedly happy to run down his contract and review other options in the summer, though West Ham’s rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, are allegedly in talks with his agents, Axia Sports.

Nice striker Evann Guessand, aged 23, has also been priced out of a move to West Ham. Reports suggest the French club are holding out for a fee of £20m.

Another name that has surfaced recently is Genk striker Tolu Arokodare. The Nigerian forward, standing at 6ft 6”, has been watched by West Ham. However, there are concerns as a similar player, Paul Onuachu, struggled in the Premier League, despite scoring at Genk and more recently Trabzonspor. Statistics show that most of Arokodare’s goals have come from 12 yards out, meaning his contributions outside the box need more work.

As of today, the most likely option is Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who has been plagued by injury problems in the past. Forest are chasing a Champions League place, with Chris Wood as their first choice. West Ham are only interested in a loan deal, whereas Forest want an outright transfer or a loan with an obligation to buy. However as more time passes, this deal looks less likely, as Forest would need to find a replacement for the player.

This leaves André Silva, who is keen to play in England. The Portuguese striker, aged 29, would be available on a loan-to-buy deal. Silva has a chequered past regarding injuries and arguably has little sell-on value.

We are told he is a “backup choice,” and West Ham fans will be pleased to hear that Graham Potter has made it clear he doesn’t want to be rushed into any decision—a cautious approach that has hindered West Ham in the past.

Rest assured, Claret and Hugh will keep you posted on any transfer developments, but the messages we’re hearing suggest the club are more likely to close any deals quite late in the window.

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I have been a season ticket holder since the late eighties, so experienced the highs and lows of being a West Ham supporter. I previously wrote for OLAS and have contributed to a number of football publications in the past.

9 comments

  • duder says:

    Arkokodare is the best link we’ve had so far, will work really well under potter, excellent competition/support for fullkrug with potential

    wont cost a ridiculous amount and is a decent finisher who links up well

    the knicker wetting for david is absolutely insane, seems to be overrated exclusively by west ham fans, he’s an excellent athlete who can finish, not a great footballer, extremely limited

  • Jeeps says:

    Back to the youngsters.
    Article today_Super rich club Al Hilai has been offered Luis Guilherme due to possibility of losing Neymar should be good for £30m.
    Will be a change making profit!!
    Nice to be associated with such elite company.
    Similar with Mubama went to Man City for £2m compensation.
    Are whu being short sighted?
    What are other clubs seeing that whu are not?

  • Al says:

    Guessand at 20m could be a bargain, all the attributes to succeed in the prem, I very much doubt they are only asking for 20m or you’d think we would be all over it, compared to injury Prone rubbish like awoniyi or silva, but then sullivans in charge and he hasn’t got a clue has he.

  • Kip says:

    If 20 odd million is to strong for us then it’s pointless talking about it ….can’t believe they think that 20 million for striker is to much 🤣🤣 crack on looking forward to seeing how this s@@@ show turns out .. Jonathan David us especially affordable from what I’ve read..plus his contract is low…….now sullivan is back on transfers its back to this crap ….god help us

  • TommyD says:

    I hope we don’t end up spending big money on Awoniyi. He’s not actually very good. Scrappy tap in merchant with injury issues being kept out of a team by Chris Wood. I would sooner take a punt on Silva on loan and keep our money in our pocket until the summer if there are genuinely no options this month.

  • Whippethammer says:

    The 29 year old sicknote it is then.

    1ith richest club in the world (🤥) feeding off scraps from the dinner table of more modest clubs.

    Sad, but true.

  • HammerDan says:

    If only we could get hold of an electric paced £20m Brazillian Whizkid, without having to splurge the cash!!

    Guilherme anyone???

    • Jeeps says:

      Could be Luis Guilherme but needs to be played and given a chance.
      Even if he played for 50% of the game would be better than odd minutes.
      Why do Villa want to off load Duran?
      Believes ‘He is the one’ and not a team player could see Potter falling out with him.
      Shame we didn’t get Potter earlier perhaps all this uncertainty and deliberation could have been avoided.
      There again perhaps not as this whu.

  • Ray says:

    Given the window is only 34 days total, 17 days in means only 17 days left, which with the usual dithering and indecision from West Ham could run out all too quickly. If Steidten has been told to take a back seat in the selection process, what exactly is he contributing to the cause? Most of football knows that West Ham are suckers for lame ducks, so I think the homegrown market is where they should focus for value. As close to a Bowen or Noble work ethic in a Solanke or Isak package as they can find, assuming we have someone who knows where to look. Otherwise, bring on the youngsters so that by August nobody will be saying they are not ready.

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