Signing one of these five strikers would be huge for West Ham
Averaging only 1.05 goals per Premier League game last season, finding the net more often is something that West Ham need to improve on.
There has been fantastic reinforcements brought in throughout the rest of the squad with the defensive reassurance of Angelo Ogbonna, the flair and playmaking of Dimitri Payet as well as recapturing Carl Jenkinson again after his heroics last season.
It’s no secret that that Diafra Sakho was one of the positives from last season- scoring ten goals in 23 appearances for the Hammers last year, in what was his debut season in the Premier League. The worry, however, is about fitness and back up.
With Sakho himself missing 15 league games last season, and club record signing Andy Carroll missing a massive 27 games, it leaves the club with few other striking options. One of which being Enner Valencia who was stretchered off last night with what looked like a pretty serious knee injury, and could even miss the majority of the season.
The other squad options being Modibo Maiga – who has yet to do anything of any significant note in a claret and blue shirt since signing for the club, and is certainly not good enough to demand a regular starting spot in a top half and European team.
Elliot Lee – from the famous West Ham youth system who hasn’t yet produced the promise and potential he looked like having after breaking into the first team a few seasons ago. And the temperamental still unproven Mauro Zarate – who it must be said is more effective as a winger than an out and out striker.
With this being a very exciting time for the club, moving into the Olympic stadium next year, and finally having European football at Upton Park people have been impressed with the aspirations of the signings made, and the players being linked. And this should not stop here. There is a desperate need for a top quality striker.
A search which has been ongoing since Sam Allardyce took over at West Ham, having gone through 18 strikers since he became manager in 2011.
With this season in particular there is more at stake for international players with the European Championships around the corner in France next summer.
In evidence of that we have identified five strikers that could work for West Ham this season and could fit into the method of football that Slaven Bilic wants to play at West Ham both at home and in Europe…
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Bas Dost
Having qualified for the Champions League with Wolfsburg this season, and scored in the DFB-Pokal cup final victory against Dortmund, last season has to be seen as a huge success for him. Finally proving after playing second or third seed for a few seasons that he is their number one striker.
He is a natural born finisher and lethal in the air. Most of his goals come from one touch finishes, and with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and André Schürrle putting devastatingly accurate crosses in for him it is no wonder he finished last season scoring 16 goals in just 21 games. Has been a bit of a reincarnation – after playing third string for a few seasons and persistent injuries and showing glimpses of talent he is finally filling his potential.
His agent has previously hinted that he is interested in a move to either England or Italy he would be a brilliant addition to the West Ham squad. However, it is reported that Wolfsburg would want up to £30million for him which would be a huge gamble, and puts him slightly out of the West Ham price range.
Only time will tell, but definitely a striker on the continent that lot of big teams should be watching.
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Charlie Austin
However, QPR are acting very reluctant to let him go on the cheap. He has a £15million price-tag on his head, which for a striker who scored 18 goals in a relegated team last season, must be seen as respectable in the transfer market these days.
This is a feat only ever achieved once before by Andy Johnson who was relegated in the 04/05 season with Crystal Palace despite having scored 21 league goals.
The 26-year-old is a strong and clever player, who is not only a fantastic finisher but often is a real handful for any defence. His powerful presence and desire to have the ball at his feet has attracted the interest of several Premiership clubs this summer, as well as the attention of England manager Roy Hodgson.
The European football and the opportunity to move in to the Olympic stadium next year should interest him in signing for the Hammers, and he has previously expressed his desire to stay in London.
The England international will want to have a good season this year and build on last season, where he was the fourth top scorer in the league and was the Premiership player of the month for the month of December.
It seems a match made in heaven.
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Mattia Destro
Having shown such promise as a youth player in the Italian youth teams he was part of the Inter Milan youth set-up and finished second top goal scorer in the 06/07 season behind a young Mario Ballotelli.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan scoring only three goals in 15 games, having previously scored 24 goals in 57 games at Roma. He is a tricky and clever Italian striker with similarities in style of play (and temperament!) to that of Ballotelli.
Having been told this summer that he has no future with Roma he has been linked with a host of European clubs previously like Chelsea, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Fiorentina and Monaco. It would be seen as a real coup for West Ham to capture this youngster’s future, having been said to favour a move to the Premier League.
Destro, with eight international caps to his name, and one goal is thought to be available at for around £8million and is definitely a player that West Ham should have a look at and pay attention too in the transfer market this summer.
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Fernando Llorente
Having medals for winning a World Cup, a European Championship, Serie A, as well as other domestic cup competitions, and a runners-up medal in last seasons Champions League with Juventus, the 30 year old has had what has to be seen as a rather successful career.
With the arrivals of Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala this summer, as well as the resurgence of Alvaro Morata last season, Llorente has found himself surplus requirements at Juventus.
The 6ft 5in Spanish international striker would certainly suit the physical style of play in the Premier League. His main strength is his heading ability, and he is gifted with good ball skills which allow him to hold the ball up with his back to goal.
Having been a success in La Liga between 2005 and 2013 with Athletico Bilbao, scoring 85 times in 262 appearances, he decided to try himself out in Italy, and Llorente has been seen as a hit there too.
Should he next want to try himself in the Premier League then West Ham would certainly be a good suit for him. Already being linked with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Arsenal it should only take around £8 million to secure his signature.
He would be seen as a great signing for the Hammers, both on and off the pitch.
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Loic Remy
Capped 31 times by France this is a big season for Remy, who is going to need to prove his worth this season to get in to Le Bleus squad for the European Championships in his home nation next summer. The fast and powerful striker was also deployed as a winger by Jose Mourinho last season at times.
In joining West Ham in the summer Slaven Bilic made no secret of the fact that Remy is a player that he admires and would like to bring to the club. Having played previously with Dimitri Payet at Marseille, and with France their partnership could be lethal for the Hammers.
There are other clubs linked with him also, such as Crystal Palace with the Alan Pardew link (the two obviously were together at Newcastle previously). Chelsea value the striker at £15million which isn’t likely to put many teams off, however his wage demands might do, as they are at £80,000-a-week.
He has always been a goal scorer wherever he has gone and could very well be the answer to West Hams goal scoring woes this season.
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